Early Victorian Era Fashion Chit Chat - October 1840 Godey's Lady's Book

Early Victorian Era Fashion Chit Chat - October 1840 Godey's Lady's Book

As the theatres in the principal cities of the Union have opened for the winter season, and as parties will soon commence, we give a description of a variety of head dresses and other ornaments, suitable for places of amusement, evening parties and ball rooms.

Some head dresses are formed by a pearl or gold bandeau, which crosses the forehead, and two large Italian pins which traverse the tresses of hair, arranged in bows almost on the nape of the neck, and crossing in such a manner as nearly to touch the ears. Several of these head dresses have the front hair arranged in soft bands, but ringlets are more in favour.

Turbans. Those of plain velvets, either white or black, and fringed with gold, are remarkably elegant, and are placed very far back upon the head. Some are made without a foundation, so as to suffer the tresses in which the hind hair is arranged to pass through; others, instead of a velvet foundation, have one formed of gold net or beads; these last are peculiarly elegant. The turbans composed of English point lace, with very small foundations, and ornamented with two points drooping on the sides, and retained as high as the temples by jewelled crescents, are very beautiful. Others have the ends falling at each side, and retained near the temples by two half wreaths of roses, without leaves.

Small Bonnets. Those formed only of trio lace lappets, and two sprigs of velvet flowers, are much in request for the theatre; these are considered as an elegant coiffure for a young married lady. They are adopted also in ball dress by those who do not dance.

Hair. The front hair in bands, with or without the ends braided, and turned up again, or in long full ringlets. The back hair is still worn dresses as low as possible at the back of the neck, in braids, chignons, and rouleaux. Lappets are frequently intermixed with the flowers. Feronnieres are very fashionable.

Toeques have lost nothing of their vogue. They are composed of velvet, and encircled with folds of velvet forming an aureole; a large sprig of flowers composed of jewels, is placed on one side, and droops over the other, in the style of a bird of paradise. Some are made with the sprig composed of gold flowers instead of jewels.