Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/199

 century head-dress of white satin and pearls; veil spangled with gold; red rose in bodice; diamond and pearl ornaments.

MAY, MAY QUEEN. Flowered brocade trimmed with may blossom. Or, green and white striped satin skirt, pink satin tunic, and low square bodice festooned with may-flowers; a maypole, surmounted by flowers, carried in the hand; a crown of hawthorn, primroses, and marguerites, and a tulle veil. Sometimes a simple village girl's white muslin dress is worn, with these floral trimmings, for this character. (See )

MECKLENBURG BRIDE. (See )

MEDEA. Blue velvet robe, bordered with gold, made in classic style; dagger in the hand; flowing hair, gold bracelet.

MEDIÆVAL. This term for fancy costume has a very extended meaning. It is applied to almost any dress worn during the period of the middle ages, and after. The following are a few descriptions: Corselet and sleeves of bright red velvet with epaulettes, and plaited chemisette of pink crepe or gauze; the sleeves tight to wrist with gold embroidered cuff's, matching the stomacher on the low square bodice, made with belt; short skirt of striped red and white silk, with front breadth of gold embroidery, satchel pocket, close plaited ruff at throat; large silk or velvet hat with feathers. The German dresses of XVth and XVIth centuries come often under the category, with the low square bodice; full white chemisettes; close ruff; hair in plaits; large apron; skirt flowing, but held up by girdle, with aumoniere bag attached; the tight sleeves puffed at shoulder and elbow with white muslin, the velvet cuff falling over the hand. Occasionally the dresses are made with bodice and skirt in one, or with long bodices coming well down on to the hips, the puffings caught down with beads. A Mediaeval Vivandière wears a blue cashmere skirt, with bands of velvet round the sleeves of blue and scarlet, puffed with a check pattern on the forearm; cambric bib and apron; broad velvet hat with feathers; keg slung round the figure; the bodice comes high to the throat with ruff, and has rows of black velvet going round the neck. A mediaeval dress, well carried out, admits of magnificent brocade and velvet, and antique jewellery of many kinds.

MEDICIS. (See ,, &c.)