Regency evening dress...?

Well hello everyone who stumbles across this blog again :) I am finally off of school and already have a sewing project that may - or may not - happen. At least I can post my research for it and keep it in the mix.

In March there is a regency-period ball that a few of my friends and I are considering attending. Since it's quite a distance away, and not on any particular week we have off of school, we're not 100% sure, but I have been meaning to make a regency dress for some time anyway. I have a feeling that it will be easier to start with than my ambitions for an 18th century wardrobe (which WILL happen... someday!)

Since this is a ball, it would probably be necessary to create a ball gown. However, I am not experienced with sewing silks and I would like to have something multi-use.

My utterly favorite costumed movie based off Jane Austen's works is the Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant. That period of dress is one of my "transition" favorites and therefore I am aiming to make something more in line with that look. The image I have above is slightly too early for the look I'm aiming for, but it is its older sister I feel. One of my favorite gowns is Marianne's (on the left). And her hat! :)

As far as evening gowns go, here are some images of Marianne's dress. I really like this style -- sleves ending just at the elbow and the color of the silk... This is the style I am going to aim for.

The best pattern I have found for this is Sense and Sensibility's Elegant Lady's Closet. Particularly, the pattern shown on the right, although I could see the left one being similar to the dress that Keira Knightley is wearing in the image below, except the neckline is a bit more pointed? (I also like Jane's dress in this pic, too.)

Well we shall see what, if anything, emerges!