Costumes for Children: P-R
Posted on July 21, 2007 - Filed Under Fancy Dresses Described
PRINCESS LOUISA MARIA, DAUGHTER OF JAMES II. (after N. de Largillière). A quaint and formal costume. The hair, which under Charles II. had been permitted to fall in natural ringlets upon the shoulders, is covered with a tower head-dress, or commode, in three tiers of lace, ribbons, and ruches; the waist is confined in a pointed bodice of silk, cut square, with a lace stomacher in front; short sleeves, with a cuff and lace bow at the elbow, leave the forearm bare; the black silk petticoat is covered in front with a lace apron; and an ample over-skirt, with long train made of coloured damask, falls from the shoulders.
PROSPERO. Long black velvet robe trimmed with sable and gold, made with long hanging sleeves, scarlet under sleeves, barred with gold; large collar facings of scarlet and black with hieroglyphic signs; skull cap similarly bordered; flowing grey wig, beard and moustache; red stockings, pointed shoes.
PUNCHINELLE. (For Boy). Bodice and tunic in yellow satin, striped with black bands, bound with gold ; skirt of red velveteen; red pompons and belt; black lace ruffles, cuffs and basque glittering with gold; red and black hat with gold spangles and tufted plume; wooden shoes.
PURITAN BOY. Brown velvet breeches; brown cloth coat and cloak; white tippet; felt hat.
PUSS IN BOOTS. Cat’s head and bodice; groom’s coat made of white fur with leather belt; top boots.
QUADRILLES AND DANCES. Besides the fancy quadrilles described in the introductory chapter, at children’s Fancy Balls there might be such innovations as a sheet and pillow-case party, the wearers disguised in white drapery; a phantom party, habited in long white robes like monks, a cord about the waist, and a pointed cap hiding the face all but the eyes. Tableaux by children might open the proceedings, such as the “Old Woman who lived in a Shoe,” “A Neapolitan Wedding,” “Dream of Fair Women,” “The Courts of the Gods,” &c. The Lithuanienne is a good dance for such balls; so is “The Old Woman’s Children,” who dance round her, she spurring them with her broom, till at last, throwing off her disguise, she appears as a Spanish dancer. The Minuet, the May-pole Dance, the Swedish Dance, and the Tempete Swing Valse, are all excellent, and have met with great success here and in America. It is a good plan for a certain number of children to appear in the characters of one special fairy tale.
RED RIDING-HOOD. Blue silk, quilted skirt; black velvet bodice; red cloak; muslin pinafore; head-dress, corn flowers. Or, red shoes, blue stockings ; striped red and white shirt; white apron; red hood and cape; blue bodice laced in front; flowers in hand, and basket of eggs.
REYNOLDS, after SIR JOSHUA. For little boys there is a good dress in “Feeding the Chickens;” black shoes with black bows; red stockings; blue petticoat with blue band; white high pinafore with red sash, made with a wide falling collar, bordered with a frill; sleeves to elbow; a red bow at throat. Another, in “Doubtful Security,” the child wears shoes with straps; also a yellow and blue skirt; low white pinafore with pink sash. The Angerstein Children: The boy wears a frill and a turned-down collar, edged with lace. The girl is conspicuous for her large straw hat, trimmed with ribbons, and worn over a fine head of curls, which frame the face. A special feature in her dress is the short shawl thrown over the shoulders and turned under the coloured scarf which encircles her waist, forming a bow with long ends on the right hip. The manner in which the boys have their hair arranged is characteristic of the period-à la Russe it would be called now, short over the eyebrows, and falling in curls on the shoulders, most becoming to youthful faces. The Affectionate Brothers: The attire of the three boys is quaint and picturesque as fancy dress, and the group as a whole would make an admirable tableau vivant enacted by children-the eldest boy with coat, waistcoat, and breeches of maroon-coloured or black velvet; the little boy with jacket and trousers combined, and made of light-coloured cloth; and the baby all in white, with a gaily-trimmed Gainsborough hat in miniature, and a cherry-coloured sash round its tiny waist.
RICHARD I., COUR-DE-LION. In a maroon velvet tunic trimmed with gold lace, three lions couchant embroidered in gold on the breast; white silk tights; velvet trunks; gold and satin shoes; jewelled belt, sword, and dagger.
RISING SUN. As a schoolboy, with large linen collar bordered with a frill; shell jacket with many buttons; trousers buttoned over.
ROBINSON CRUSOE. Knickerbockers and long coat of fur, with robins sewn about it; belt round the waist; silk tights, sandals; green parrot on shoulders; fowling-piece, pistols, hatchet, and umbrella. Mrs. Crusoe is dressed after the same fashion.
SAILOR (English). A favourite costume at Fancy Balls. It is best to obtain the real sailor dress from a nautical outfitter, either in white drill or serge; viz., loose trousers, loose jacket tucked into them; a belt round the waist, the sleeves of the jacket fastening at the wrist; having a sailor’s collar, very open at the neck, with a silk handkerchief tied in a sailor’s knot beneath it; a man-of-war straw hat, or a sou-wester and peajacket. The drill suits have the jacket trimmed with blue down the front and on the cuffs and collar.
