13 Historical Romances featuring Dressmakers
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I am horrendous in sewing and unfortunately I have proof to show for it. My mom sent my sister-in-law and I for sewing class and whilst her baju kurung was impeccable, mine on the other hand looked like it had been dragged to hell and back.
The skirt was unevenly sewn and the dress was lopsided but best believe I wore that baju kurung to class with pride. Lopsided-ness be damned!
Which made me want to share with y’all 13 historical romance novels featuring dressmakers for even if I can’t be one at least some fictional woman can!
When She Was Wicked by Anne Barton follows Miss Anabelle Honeycote, a London dressmaker who knows the aristocracy’s deepest secrets. To support her ill mother, she resorts to blackmail, but she has rules—only target those who can afford it and never reveal a client’s secret.
Her world changes when she meets Owen Sherbourne, the Duke of Huntford. Owen stops her blackmail attempt but sparks an unexpected attraction between them. As their passion grows, a scandal from Anabelle’s past threatens to destroy everything. Now, she must decide if she’s willing to risk her secret for the Duke she’s come to love.
Marcelline Noirot, an ambitious dressmaker, sets her sights on winning the future duchess as a client, which would bring her and her sisters prestige and wealth. But to reach her, Marcelline must first charm the Duke of Clevedon, a man with questionable morals but undeniable allure.
What starts as a game of seduction between two fiercely clever individuals quickly turns into an irresistible passion—and a scandal that could ruin them both.
Sophy Noirot is a dressmaker with a talent for selling even the most extravagant designs. But when a family scandal threatens her business, she needs all her wit to turn things around. Enter the Earl of Longmore, a reckless rake who’s more interested in undressing Sophy than helping.
When his sister—Maison Noirot’s top client—runs away, Sophy reluctantly teams up with Longmore to bring her back. The chase ignites a sizzling attraction between them, and soon Sophy is battling more than just business troubles.
Simon Fairfax, the irresistible Marquess of Lisburne, returns to London reluctantly but finds himself captivated by Leonie Noirot, a talented dressmaker. Leonie, however, is far too focused on transforming his cousin, Lady Gladys, into a swan to entertain his advances.
Determined to teach him a lesson, Leonie makes a bold wager with Lisburne, but things quickly get complicated as their attraction grows. As Simon becomes a serious distraction, Leonie finds her logic slipping—and maybe, just maybe, she’s the one about to be transformed.
The brooding Duke of Ashbury needs an heir, and when seamstress Emma Gladstone shows up in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides she’s the perfect candidate for his no-strings marriage proposal. His terms are clear: no lights, no kissing, and once she’s pregnant, they’ll never have to share a bed again.
But Emma has her own demands—like dinners together, conversation, and plenty of teasing. As she gets to know the man behind the scars, love starts to change the rules.
Miss Lily Martin finds herself in a dangerous bind after borrowing from a ruthless moneylender. With her sister’s future at risk, she’s saved by the unexpected intervention of James Blakefield, a dashing American who’s also the new Duke of Ashbridge.
James, eager to avoid London’s society, offers Lily a deal: he’ll take legal guardianship of her sister, keeping them both safe, in exchange for staying at his estate for six weeks. But with no chaperones and a simmering attraction between them, things quickly get complicated. And when James’s secret surfaces, everything they’ve built threatens to unravel.
Daisy Chance has one dream: to become the best dressmaker in London. Marriage and babies are not part of her plan. Enter Patrick Flynn, a dashing Irishman seeking an aristocratic wife—but instead, he’s captivated by the clever, outspoken Daisy.
When Flynn proposes, Daisy refuses. She won’t give up her hard-earned independence, though she might consider becoming his mistress. But Flynn wants a wife, and when he sets his heart on something, he won’t back down.
Brandon Fiennes, the Duke of Kingston, is in dire financial straits and needs to marry a wealthy heiress to save his family’s estate. But his plans take an unexpected turn when he a beautiful seamstress tumbles into his arms.
Adeline has dreams of becoming a top dressmaker, not a duchess. When Kingston offers her the chance to showcase her designs at society events while helping him find a bride, it seems like the perfect deal—until their undeniable chemistry threatens to ruin everything.
Lavinia Gray is desperate enough to ask the wealthy and irritating Parth Sterling to marry her—but he turns her down flat. Parth, the richest bachelor in England, thinks Lavinia is far too reckless for him and has already set his sights on a more suitable bride.
When Lavinia’s situation grows dire, Parth offers to find her a husband, maybe even a prince. But the more time he spends with her, the more he starts to wonder if the woman who seems all wrong might actually be the perfect match for him.
Lady Phoebe Fairchild hides her identity as a dressmaker by posing as “Madame Dupree” to avoid scandal. When she’s hired to design gowns for the sisters of William Darby, Viscount of Summerfield, her biggest challenge isn’t just keeping her secret—it’s resisting her growing attraction to the seductive viscount. As their chemistry heats up, Phoebe risks everything: her secret, her reputation, and possibly her heart.
Molly Robbins stunning dress designs have captured the attention of the ton, and she’s determined to open her own shop—even if it means striking a deal with the scandalous Earl of Everscham, Carver Danforthe.
Molly is clear: becoming his mistress isn’t part of the bargain. But when Carver suggests a daring new clause in their agreement, things get interesting.
Rhys Merrick, the Duke of Roydan “the Monk”, is well known for his strict control over his desires, determined not to follow in his father’s scandalous footsteps. But when Olivia Weston, a fiery dressmaker, shows up demanding payment for gowns ordered by his former mistress, Rhys is caught off guard—and completely captivated.
Olivia, determined never to be a kept woman again, runs her dressmaking business with pride. But after a fire destroys her shop, she finds herself entangled with the duke in ways she never expected. As they grow closer, Olivia starts to see the man behind the title, and Rhys yearns to break through the walls she’s built.
Thea is a determined young woman, who escapes her life of servitude with a plan to start her own embroidery business and rescue her sister. But after a violent attack on her caravan, she’s rescued by the brooding knight, Lord Ware, who’s hiding from the Knights Templar.
As sparks fly between Thea and Ware, they battle not only external enemies but also their own ambitions. Their journey leads them from the deserts to the Scottish Highlands, where love and passion become impossible to deny.
In conclusion, while my sewing skills may not impress, the world of historical romance featuring dressmakers that is filled with captivating stories and strong characters definitely will!
So, grab a cozy blanket and dive into these 13 titles where passion and ambition come to life. Happy reading!
