You need to know French nobility..

.. to understand fashion from the 1770’s to the 1870’s.  FRANCE led American & English fashion despite the eras being named for the ENGLISH: “Georgian”  (after 3 English kings named George), “Regency” (referring to the transition of power between 2 of the English Georges), & “Victorian” (almost a century of Queen Victoria’s dictates).

Only “Edwardian” fashion would actually be spearheaded by King Edward of England.

(photo:  Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France’s, direct lineage chart)