FASHION CIRCLES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1904, 12 November 1913, Page 2

FASHION CIRCLES.

SWING OF THE PENDULUM,

There is very little doubt that the modes pf the moment aro in many cases gowns that were deemed scandalous oven in the days following the Revolution, when th.o first Empire was in the new fatuwK The dvess lines were as tight as it was possible, if the hips were recognised at all, iguoring a waistline, which was the same width as the hips and shonMe-'s. The skirt was split open at the side, showing the log, while the dress itself was of. so gossamer a nature that every movement was clearly visible ; and yet tho descriptions of som<; of the gowns worn at the French raced this year were almost identical with an account of what tho belles wore in 1802. The trimmings, tho hats, the shoes of tho Diiectoire days, have baen pretty faithfully copied in this. ■ One hundred years ago tho girls Were told to stand with knees forward, the head slightly bent. The peplum was worn, aud a coat contrasting in colour with the skirt; the cerise and purples of to-day were in vogue from 18Q0 to 1805. The tunic skirts, slightly pointed, were in full swing then. The Morveilleuses wore straignt gowns with hardly any bodices, short- in front, to show the feet slightly trained at the back. Bare feet and sandals were tho rage in 1800, followed by buskins, fastened with red bands. Very little sleeves were worn, tho gown drawn together on the shoulders with cameos, and many bracelets on the arms.. Scarves and fiobus were the mode, and the scarves wero succeeded by, cachemires as a sort of shawl.

In those days people wore evening g< wus in tho daytime, there was no distinction. The lighter the clothing the more fashionable. Tho dresses were damped to make them adhere. _ more closely, and pleurisy and pneumonia followed in their wake. Many young lives were sacrificed. Those fashions lasted six years. , Costume, balls were particularly in faroar as lending to the' excitement, which seemed inseparable from that period, and Oriental drosses were much worn on those occasions. The fad for the antique led to more daring innovations. Cariyle describes them faithfully. Anklets, like snakes, because part of feminine ornaments. The rebound which followed all this led to tho crinoline—is that what wo ate ccuniiig to ?