COSTUME
FANCIFUL, HISTORICAL, AND THEATRICAL
COQUELIN, AS CYRANO DE BERGERAC,FROM A WATER COLOUR DRAWING BY PERCY ANDERSON.
(Reproduced by special permission.)
COSTUME: FANCIFUL,
HISTORICAL
AND THEATRICAL
COMPILED BY Mrs. ARIA
ILLUSTRATED BY PERCY ANDERSON
London
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1906
All rights reserved
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
"It is merely a question of head," said Percy Anderson to meone day, whilst we were discussing some easy method ofsolving a problem in fancy dress.
And he continued:
"Indeed, I would say that, broadly speaking, of allcostume. The fashion of any period is distinguished primarilyby the way its wearer dresses her hair."
"And chooses her sleeves," I suggested, and received hisapproval.
We agreed then that we were both most keenly interestedin dress, regarding it as one of the fine and essential arts;and we decided that we would try to preach its best doctrinesand traditions to the world at large, while we did not ignorethe fact that many more worthy had previously enrichedliterature with the same object. Realising this most acutely,it came to pass that I found myself searching libraries forinformation which could serve to point my moral, while Mr.Anderson consented to adorn my tale and help me in my endeavourto present concisely, and with as little ceremony andas much simplicity as possible, the main facts of the fashionswhich have obtained through the centuries.
A few practical details and suggestions are included in thehope that they may obviate some difficulties of those who frettheir hour on the stage or at the fancy-dress ball, while, forthe benefit of the next generation, I have devoted a small spaceto personal reminiscences of theatrical heroes and heroines, andto some facts of theatrical dress, as it has been expressed inclassic and popular dramas produced by the leading actors andactresses of our time.
E. ARIA.