I see the Regency as an evolution of the Georgian period - a time when tastes had refined and found the meaning of sensual, to strip away all the layers of clothing and the wigs to raw style and self-confidence. It was a time of discovery when the people werent ashamed to be indulgent and to revel in what was beautiful and exciting. The Georgian period was altogether more gritty, and whilst interesting, not nearly so romantic (Point conceded about Poldark however.)