EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MODESTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 24

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MODESTY

ORIGIN OF THE FICHU “LIARS” USED If you want a fascinating pastime, turn up a History of costume and delve into the fashion vagaries of our feminine ancestors. You will discover all manner of amusing sidelights on the origin of fashions which are only names to most of us. Take the demure.fichu, for instance, modifications of which are adding to the old-world air of the frocks this season. It came on the scene about 1790 when French women decided that they had better follow the modest example of their English sisters and cover the bust. Hitherto, they had revealed it in a manner -which would have caused a riot in this J:he 20th century. COVERING THE BUST The means used was a large triangular piece of fine, white cloth called a fichu, put on either under Glover the bodice. In the last case it was crossed over the bust and tied at the back in a large bow. As a rule, however, the fichu was arranged to lie as loosely as possible in front and bent frames were frequently used to add to thetf&noble proportion of the wearer’s bust. The bigger the.curve the better, in those days! Strictly speaking, these frames were known as carcases, but the French nicknamed them trompeurs or menteurs, the English translation “liars” and the German “lugner” also meaning liars. It was not only the wom&n. with defective busts who wore them. Those with a faultless silhouette frequently.. as.it were; “gilded the lily” and added the cumbersome device.