Jessica Bull, a Jane Austin fan who stylises herself life to emulate that of the authors (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
Jessica Bull, a 46 year old mum-of-two, is a self-proclaimed Janeite, utterly enamored with the life and works of Jane Austen. Her fixation began with the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, prompting her to delve into Austen’s world.
She has since immersed herself in Regency-era culture, donning period attire, attending balls, and even mastering horseback riding. With a background in English literature and a previous career as a librarian, Jessica aspired to become a novelist, drawing inspiration from Austen.
After a decade-long writing hiatus, she rediscovered her passion and penned her debut novel, an Austen-inspired murder mystery, which was published in 2024. Jessica humorously remarked: “I have tried many ways to inhabit Jane Austen’s world, and some of these have been successful than others my flock of backyard hens is thriving, but it’s not so easy to learn to ride horseback in your forties!
“At the time, I was 17 and studying for my A-levels – so I asked my English teacher about Jane Austen and he sent me to the library to borrow her books.
Famously, Janeites love to dress up in Regency costume and I very much enjoyed getting my old sewing machine out to create some.
“I even turned my very obliging husband into my own leading man by sewing him a Captain Wentworth-style naval jacket!”
This year marks a significant milestone, 250 years since the birth of the renowned English author known for her six celebrated novels.
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Jessica Bull has been in love with the writer ever since the first episode of Pride and Prejudiced aired on the BBC in 1995 (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
Despite two and a half centuries passing, the Austen hype is still very much alive, especially following the release of the highly anticipated drama Miss Austen on the . Jessica revealed: “I’ve been in love with Jane Austen ever since the first episode of Pride and Prejudice was broadcast in 1995.”
She added: “I was blown away by everything about the ‘s adaptation – the snarky humour, the costumes, the romance and, of course, Colin Firth as Mr Darcy!
“Since then, as well as reading all her works, I have watched every adaptation and read every biography I could find. There is something so comforting in the way Austen encourages us to laugh at ourselves and the world around us.”
For Jessica, being a Janeite is “enormous fun” as she is part of a global community sharing a love for Austen’s novels.
They visit locations connected to Austen’s life and work, including numerous National Trust properties and Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton. They also enjoy learning more about what life was like for women during Austen’s era.
“Because the community is based around our shared love of Austen, we are very welcoming and never take ourselves too seriously,” Jessica concluded.
“Famously, Janeites love to dress up in Regency costume and I very much enjoyed getting my old sewing machine out to create some.
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The mum-of-two has inhabited her world – by dressing up in Regency-style customes (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
But Janeites also launch and attend Austen-inspired events around the UK – from the Jane Austen Festival in Bath to Jane Austen Week Alton, Hampshire. And Jessica’s favourite events are the balls – where they get to wear their best Regency costumes.
She said: “This year is very exciting, as there are more Austen-inspired talks, exhibitions, costumed meet-ups being planned than ever before to celebrate the 250th anniversary of her birth.
“My favourite are the lavish balls held in her honour, where we get to wear our finest regency attire and attempt to follow her footsteps on the dance floor.
“Regency dancing is so much faster and more riotous than the films would lead you to believe. How her heroines could flirt while keeping up with the steps, I do not know!”
For her the Regency look is “iconic” – as it is “different” from everything which came before and after.
Jessica stated: “In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, women were demanding greater freedom than ever before, and the fashion reflected this – in enabling women to dress without a lady’s maid and take part in exercise.
“I must say, the empire line gowns, flat shoes and even short stays – like a half corset – are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear.”
Trying to find comfort in Austen’s work inspired Jessica to start writing fiction again after a hiatus of 10 years.
And in 2024 she finally published her debut novel Austen-inspired murder mystery called Miss Austen Investigates.
“After I had my two daughters, I found it difficult to find time to write and lost some of my confidence.
”When the pandemic happened in 2020, I turned to my love of Austen for comfort, and it was realising how hard she struggled to get published that encouraged me to start writing fiction again after a hiatus of 10 years.
“The most revolutionary act Austen did was to make an ordinary woman the heroine of her own story.
“She is sometimes criticised for the narrowness of her fictional world, but her novels prove that the small things in life – such as how you navigate relationships with potential partners, friends and family – are just as interesting as stories about war and other typically masculine topics.
”I really hope all the revived interested in Jane Austen this year will lead many new readers discovering they love her work just as much as I do.”