Let's vist the Victorians again. On the left we have a "HOME COSTUME of ash-grey cambric or cashmere" and on the right is a "PROMENADE TOILETTE OR HOME TOILETTE" in ancient turquoise blue valencia or cambric. The Ladies Treasury expands:
This colour is neither blue nor green, but the precise colour of old turquoise injured by damp. The petticoat is not very long ; and one may mention here that the ladies of highest rank wear untrained dresses when walking.
To modern eyes, "not very long" looks very long indeed! The Ladies' Treasury continues with a description of the latest fashions, not to mention fads and fancies. Here are a choice selection:
COLOURED CAMBRICS of almost every hue, pink excepted, and cambrics with patterns on them, also foulards are universal... These are worn principally in the morning; but where etiquette or necessity does not prescribe a more elaborate toilette, they are worn all the day till the evening.
(I wonder why pink was so definitely out of fashion in 1877?)
POLONAISES AND TUNICS—The square form of the latter is generally adopted for tunics, as it falls upon the petticoat, and is not generally looped, but cut up at the sides, as in the coloured plate of this number. In polonaises, which are very long, there is a tendency to a great deal of trimming, as individual tastes have to be met; but only very thin figures can wear much trimming.
(An oblique hint to the magazine's readers not to overdo it?)
Ribbon bows or rather loops, are seen in all dresses. These ribbons are literally "two-faced", the surfaces being of different colour. They are thus exceedingly dressy-looking. At one time these ribbons were coldly received in England, but now they reign. Not only are bows and loops made of this kind, but also two or three colours in ribbons are used in one knot or næud of ribbon...
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