Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/63

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WHAT TO WEAR AT FANCY BALLS.
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wears rich heavy materials, plush and brocade, made with a sacque; elbow sleeves, pointed bodice; and in the course of the play dons a hood and mantle. Dark green and purple are suitable colours.

CANTINIÈRE. One white stocking, one red and yellow; short black dress, white apron, full low bodice with pink and yellow bands; white handkerchief twisted about the head.

CANTONEER. Short skirt of striped silk; blue coat trimmed with gold braid, red satin collar and cuffs; scarlet sash, gold fringe at ends.

CARDS, PACK OF. A favourite dress, carried out in varied fashion. Dress of yellow, claret, and blue satin or velvet, with square bodice and wide sleeves, bordered with hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. A coronet of same on head. The cards printed on white silk round skirt.

The Queens of the several packs wear long velvet or silver lisse dresses of mediæval make, with ermine and gold crowns and sceptres; or white ball-dresses; or quilted skirts, with velvet tunics and bodices, and powdered hair; the insignias of the several suits appearing in velvet or jewels about the dresses, ornaments, and the crowns on the heads.

Queen of Hearts. Robes of violet velvet, with ermine; gold crown, gauze veil; a heart on the crown, front of the dress, and on the sceptre.

Queen of Clubs. Old gold satin dress, trimmed with deep pink and ermine; clubs in black velvet scattered about; gold crown. Or a pink satin dress covered with black velvet clubs, forming the stomacher to the bodice and the crown.

Queen of Spades. Prune velvet with ermine, which borders the long skirt, the jacket bodice, and long sleeves, forming revers in front, and a portion of the head-dress, with a club over the forehead.

Queen of Diamonds. Gold crown; bodice and skirt, dark blue velvet; band of white satin all round, on which is a row of diamonds in blue velvet, as also on front of dress.

Sometimes the dresses are copied from those quaint and curious playing cards which depict famous actresses in their several roles. Or any of the Queens might be carried out as