HE beginning of the long peace marked a considerable change in the general shape of women's dresses. The waist became even shorter than it had been before, and the skirt descended from it in straight lines to just above the ankles. The bottom of the skirt, however, was very much wider and much more decorated, generally with somewhat stiff roitliaicc of material—a kind of incipient (and external) crinoline. The use of transparent materials worn over opaque ones began to be appreciated, and it became fashionable to wear a frock of pink crape over a slip of white satin, or a dress of net (the name “ patent net shows how recently it had been invented) over a slip of coloured satin or sarsnet. Sleeves became very elaborate, and the exaggeration of the shoulders foreshadowed the fashions of the 'thirties. Puckered muslin was used to give to sleeves the puiFcd appearance of the time of Henry VIll, and the Tudor ruff round the neck emphasized the period from which dressmakers were drawing their inspiration. The influence of Scott was also to be seen in the fashion for plaid scarves and sashes, which were very popular about 18ty.
Men’s fashions exhibited no change worth recording.
World History
