To Cassandra, from Steventon, "I find great comfort in my stuff gown, but I hope you do not wear yours too often. I have made myself two or three caps to wear of evenings since I came home, and they save me a world of torment as to hair-dressing, which at present gives me no trouble beyond washing and brushing, for my long hair is always plaited up out of sight, and my short hair curls well enough to want no papering. I have had it cut lately by Mr. Butler." - Jane Austen, Saturday 1-Sunday 2 December 1798
From what I understand "stuff" would be referring to the type of fabric used to make the gown, either cotton or wool. It can also be used to refer to the gowns barristers wear or wore in England.
So, I am imagining Jane Austen sitting at her writing table in the dressing-room, in her, probably wool (being that this letter was written in December) night gown, in a night cap, drinking a glass of wine, peering over the top of her spectacles, writing to Cassandra by the light of the crackling fire, all snuggly warm and comfortable, maybe fuzzy slippers?... maybe not.
By not wanting Cassandra to be wearing her stuff gown too often she was probably hoping Cassandra's life to be a bit more exciting at Godmersham than hers at Steventon at the time.
It looks like her hair in 1810 was much the same as she described it in this letter twelve years earlier, as would be considered the style of the day.
Mr. Butler was Mr. Richard Butler, hairdresser from Basingstoke.
I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie
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