3-028-533 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Paris fashions for the New Year, 1870. 'Not only is velvet still universally in favour for robes themselves, but with toilettes de promenade it is now the fashion to use velvet largely by way of trimming to silk, satin, or cashmere jupes and jupons...Parti-coloured toilettes of velvet in combination with fayé and satin are also coming largely into vogue. Thus, for instance, the short upper jupe will be of mauve fayé, ornamented behind with a fan-shaped knot, and the corsage and under jupe will be of velvet - say of violet shade. The former has revers of yellow satin at the chest and cuffs, and a small tablier, the corners of which are turned over to show revers to match, suspended in front, while the latter finishes with a long train, which is gathered up and fastened at the sides with a large dahlia-shaped parti-coloured rosette, so as to admit of the train hanging in spiral fashion - a la cascade, as it is termed over here - and display a rich yellow satin lining. Velvet is quite as much in vogue for bonnets and hats as for toilettes de promenade, though satin is rapidly coming into favour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.