Historical Fancy Dress

Tag: Victorian masquerades

  • Cards

    FD-Butterick-Cards
    (Costumes representing cards, dice, and games of chance were found in many fancy dress manuals.  Here's one apparently inspired by the game of poker, complete with a fan made of cards and feathers.  Click the image to enlarge.)

    Box-plaited skirt of white with appliqué or painted cards and colored discs to imitate poker chips. Waist of white China silk, with high girdle of orange satin. Cards and poker chips arranged in the hair.

     

    Source:
    Masquerades, Tableaux and Drills.  New York: The Butterick Publishing Company, 1906.

  • Of processions and prop-stands

    (Helpful tips for ball hosts and hostesses on two issues: how to arrange to show off all of the costumes present and what to do with costume props during the dancing.)

    Processions often form a prominent feature in fancy balls.  Some of them begin with a Polonaise, while others have a kind of march round the reception-rooms just before supper.  This gives an opportunity for showing off the dresses, which are frequently hidden in a crowded dance.

    When a march occurs it is correct for the characters to carry their crooks, wands, milking-stools, or any other property appertaining to their dress.

    As most of these things are much in the way whilst dancing, and are apt to get lost when left about in the ball-room, many hostesses provide a stand in the hall for their reception.  It should be lighter than an ordinary umbrella-stand, consisting of a slight frame covered with artificial flowers.

            Armstrong, Lucie.  The Ball-Room Guide.  London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co., c1880s.