Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/28

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FANCY DRESSES DESCRIBED; OR,

ALICE IN WONDERLAND. (See Girls' and Boys' Fancy Costumes at the end of the book.)

ALICE LEE. Hair curling in front, a coil at back, surmounted by a dark blue hat, or a fillet of blue beads and pearls. Plain stone-coloured train falling to the figure; light blue front, trimmed with gimp. Basqued bodice of dark blue velvet, piped with light blue, opening over a white stomacher the bodice cut en cœur back and front. The sleeves wide at top, tight fitting at wrist, puffed at elbow. The bodice may also be low, with muslin kerchief, showing much of neck.

ALMEH, Bodice of white gauze studded with silver, made loose; pink gauze skirt, a girdle of pink ribbon streamers falling over it. Egyptian head-dress of pink and silver.

ALPHABET. Short black underskirt bordered with gold Roman letters; second skirt white, with old English letters in ruby velvet; third skirt blue, covered with black velvet letters; black velvet low bodice; muslin fichu and apron; blue cap with word "Alphabet" on band, or a battlemented crown, a letter on each; aigrette of goose-quills; birch rod and primer as châtelaine. It may also be made in any coloured silk, satin, cotton, or tarlatan, and the letters printed on the more substantial materials; or any evening dress may be utilised by wearing a belt across bodice, a band of black velvet round the throat, and high cap all adorned with letters; or carried out as follows: Black tulle evening dress, silver letters stuck on spirally; huge A, B, C on train; large black fan with A, B, C upon it; the same on shoes; the vowels on velvet round the neck; black capitals on the handkerchief

ALSATIAN. The distinctive feature is a large flat bow on the top of the head, composed of black silk, with two loops and two ends, attached to close-fitting gold or silver-embroidered velvet cap, put in a band of silk at the back, about a hand's breadth in width, which forms a bow in front; short red cloth skirt, trimmed with gold braid and black velvet, blue plaiting below, and lace; long, straight black silk apron, edged with black lace; low black velvet bodice, called "muzze," embroidered with gold or silver in front, the peasants wear this sewn to the skirt. At fancy balls it has a jockey basque at back, round cuirass bordered with gold in front, and loops of black ribbon, laced with red over white muslin; black bows