Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/214

 the skirt, alternate draperies of purple and white satin; on the panel which represents day a clear sky is embroidered, and a sun in gold, and clouds in faint rose-colour and lilac, bordered with gold; on the dark purple draperies, for night, a crescent moon and clusters of stars embroidered in silver; one glove and one stocking purple, the other two white; the shoes also are alternately white and blue, with diamond stars upon each foot.

NINETEENTH CENTURY, EARLY PORTION OF. The dresses were made with narrow skirts; short waists; long gloves and large bonnets were worn.

NOAH'S ARK (as worn at the Empress Eugenie's Fancy Ball). Toy Noah's Ark on head, with two little silver animals running into it, up the parting; long white dress, with silver animals in pairs, round; a dove of promise on the shoulder.

NOCTURNE. In black and white, or red and white, after Whistler. The term is generally applied to a stylish evening dress of the above mixtures. The name is a fashion of the hour, and finds favour with those who do not care for decided fancy costumes.

NORMA. (See )

NORMANDY PEASANT, NORMANDY BRIDE, NORMANDY FISH-WIFE. The peasant's dress consists of a bright-coloured petticoat, striped or plain, with rows of black velvet; tunic bunched up, either by drawing through the placket-hole, or sewing the side breadths together at the back, so that the inside of the skirt is visible; the tunic should form a contrast to the skirt, such as blue over red, violet over amber. The bodice terminates at the waist, is close-fitting, and has only a shoulder-strap, the linen sleeves having a wide band, and coming below the elbow. If this is worn over a linen chemisette, it is plain in front; if a muslin lace-edged fichu is worn, it is laced across the front, with coloured cord. The following is a good rendering:—Short striped skirt; black velvet bodice, worn over white chemisette with sleeves to elbow; tunic lined with the colour; high cap. (See Coloured Illustration, No. XII.) A gay coloured cotton kerchief may be tucked into bodice; and a large holland pocket worn; with grey stockings; black shoes; ornaments, gold. In the real Normandy caps there is a great variety, and they