Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/105

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WHAT TO WEAR AT FANCY BALLS.
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muslin trimmed with gold band and pearls. Armlets of gold, and necklet with coins and gems.

EGYPTIAN LADY. Pale blue cashmere embroidered in silver, with peplum, and lizard bird; yellow satin skirt, with bodice of green tinted jet, open-work embroidery; small richly coloured birds dotted here and there over skirt and bodice. The real dress is not suited to fancy costumes. Egyptian women out of doors wear a large square of checked cotton thrown over head and figure. A gold ornament is fastened between the eyes, and reaches to the top of forehead, secured to the yashmak of black crape or cashmere passed across the face, below the eyes to the back of ears, falling lower than the waist. A fellah woman wears a loose half high bodice of washing stuff, a necklace round throat, plain woollen skirt, a sash of many colours round waist, and a handkerchief gracefully twisted about the head.

EGYPTIAN QUEEN. Black, crimson, and gold satin dress; red silk head-dress with sequins; white train over short dress made of gold, black, and white.

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY (Dress of Feriod). Powder was worn until 1795. Large hoops, short skirts, elbow sleeves, and square bodices are distinguishing features. (See Poudré.) The poorer classes wore a petticoat and over-dress, opening in front, a pointed bodice and kerchief, muslin cap, and plaited border, tight sleeves, mittens, and long aprons. In 1786, enormous hats, composed of gauze wire and ribbon, were worn, and turban helmets, high crowned sugarloaf hats from France. In 1794, the waist came below the arm-pits; feathers were perched upright on the head. The vagaries which originated in the French Revolution found their way to England (See Incroyable, Merveilleuse, and Directoire, the high hats, the curious hoods, and the catogan. See Afternoon Dress, A.) The following dress was worn in 1784:—A full skirt touching the ground, a flounce at edge; high bodice, long sleeves, satchel bag at side, large muff pelerine, edged with a ruche of lace tied at back; muslin cap, a large flap hat over it. In 1727-36, the taste of the day was mock pastoral, and men and women, as Corydons and Sylvias, tried to be mistaken for shepherds and shepherdesses. The hoods of the ladies denoted their politics by their colour. The hood was succeeded by the capuchin; long gloves were ruffled on the arm, huge