Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/35

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WHAT TO WEAR AT FANCY BALLS.
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Stiff bodice of ruby or green velvet, or gold brocade, would be cut as a low square, showing the bare neck, with a jewelled velvet band encircling the throat; long sleeves slashed, girdle round waist; a velvet cap called French hood, with white visible beneath. A bag hangs at the side of the velvet or brocaded skirt, which is jewelled down the front. A round ostrich feather fan carried in hand.

ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN (Sir Walter Scott). An old-fashioned Swiss dress made with a short red skirt, bordered with gold colour, blue bands can be introduced; the low bodice laced in front over a stomacher; the white chemisette gathered into a band at the throat; short overdress of blue opening in front, sleeves to wrist with cuffs and epaulettes; round Swiss hat, trimmed with crimson. Or, in full dress, with long brocaded skirt, low bodice formed of alternate perpendicular puffings of satin and velvet, sleeves tight to wrist, a puff at the top; band of same colour as the dress round the head.

ANNE PAGE (Merry Wives of Windsor). Velvet skirt touching the ground, opening in front over satin petticoat, the sides bordered with lace and pearls; velvet low bodice, tabs all round, satin stomacher, high lace ruff from shoulders, puffed satin sleeves to wrist, with turn-back cuffs of lace; conical velvet peaked hat, bordered with pearls, lined with satin to match petticoat; a veil is sometimes worn. Sir W. Calcot painted her in a white satin dress, a pink bodice, and long jacket basque, open in front and edged with swansdown. The sleeves come below the elbow not quite to the wrist, finished off with a ruff. The bodice is half-high, bordered with vandyked lace tacked down; a muslin kerchief within this. Hair dressed in curls, not powdered, a blue rosette on one side. Another rendering is as follows: Ruby velvet bodice cut low at neck, edged with wide lace collar turning downwards. Long sleeves with full puffs at shoulders and wrist, ribbon run through them. Pale yellow satin train, ruby and white striped petticoat; ruby velvet shoes with rosettes; strings of pearls round throat.

ANNIE LAURIE. This heroine of Scotch song wears a simple dress of white satin or muslin, generally made with a short plain skirt, one flounce at the edge; full banded low bodice, short sleeves; satin plaid, fastened