DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0045
INTRODUCTION
31
embroidered or trimmed with lace. This must have been rather an
inconvenient fashion j but very graceful in appearance, and calcu-
lated to set off a beautiful arm to the greatest possible advantage.
The custom of patching the face prevailed about this time, and
continued tih the days of the Spectator; when, as we are told, the
Tory ladies patched on one side of the face, and those of the Whig
persuasion on the other; till Addison’s exquisite raillery rendered
both patching’ and party-spirit unfashionable. Shoe-buckles were
now first introduced, instead of the large roses of riband formerly
worn; and green stockings were affected by some of the court.
ladies, for reasons which politeness forbids us to mention—except
in a note.* Every one who has read De Grammont, will recollect
the green stockings of the beautiful Lady Chesterfield, which made
the Duke of York swear so gallantly, that there was “point de
salut sans des bas verts.”
In 1666, the King, in order to repress the increasing luxury of
dress, and, as Mr. Pepys expresses it, Ci to teach the nobility
thrift,” declared in council his design of adopting a certain habit,
which he was resolved never to alter. It consisted of a long close
vest of black cloth or velvet, pinked with white satin; a loose coat
over it of the Polish fashion; and, instead of shoes and stockings,
buskins or brodequins.f Some of the young courtiers, aware of
the King’s versatility, laid wagers with him that lie would not
* Elie ! a (la jambe) grosse et courte, poursuivit-il, et pour diminuer ses
defauts autant quo cela se pent, elle ne porte presque jamais que des bas verts.—
De Grammont.
f See Echard’s History of England, vol. ii. p. 83G, and Evelyn’s Memoirs.
“ Oct. 8th. The King hath yesterday in council declared his resolution of
setting a fashion for clothes, which he will never alter ; it will be a vest: I know
not well how, but it will teach the nobility thrift, and will do good.”
“ 17th. The court is all full of vests, only my Lord St. Albans (Jermyn) not
pinked, but plain black ; and they say the King says that the pinking upon
white, makes them look too much like magpies ; so hath bespoke one of plain
velvet.”—Pepys' Diary, vol. i. p. 471.
31
embroidered or trimmed with lace. This must have been rather an
inconvenient fashion j but very graceful in appearance, and calcu-
lated to set off a beautiful arm to the greatest possible advantage.
The custom of patching the face prevailed about this time, and
continued tih the days of the Spectator; when, as we are told, the
Tory ladies patched on one side of the face, and those of the Whig
persuasion on the other; till Addison’s exquisite raillery rendered
both patching’ and party-spirit unfashionable. Shoe-buckles were
now first introduced, instead of the large roses of riband formerly
worn; and green stockings were affected by some of the court.
ladies, for reasons which politeness forbids us to mention—except
in a note.* Every one who has read De Grammont, will recollect
the green stockings of the beautiful Lady Chesterfield, which made
the Duke of York swear so gallantly, that there was “point de
salut sans des bas verts.”
In 1666, the King, in order to repress the increasing luxury of
dress, and, as Mr. Pepys expresses it, Ci to teach the nobility
thrift,” declared in council his design of adopting a certain habit,
which he was resolved never to alter. It consisted of a long close
vest of black cloth or velvet, pinked with white satin; a loose coat
over it of the Polish fashion; and, instead of shoes and stockings,
buskins or brodequins.f Some of the young courtiers, aware of
the King’s versatility, laid wagers with him that lie would not
* Elie ! a (la jambe) grosse et courte, poursuivit-il, et pour diminuer ses
defauts autant quo cela se pent, elle ne porte presque jamais que des bas verts.—
De Grammont.
f See Echard’s History of England, vol. ii. p. 83G, and Evelyn’s Memoirs.
“ Oct. 8th. The King hath yesterday in council declared his resolution of
setting a fashion for clothes, which he will never alter ; it will be a vest: I know
not well how, but it will teach the nobility thrift, and will do good.”
“ 17th. The court is all full of vests, only my Lord St. Albans (Jermyn) not
pinked, but plain black ; and they say the King says that the pinking upon
white, makes them look too much like magpies ; so hath bespoke one of plain
velvet.”—Pepys' Diary, vol. i. p. 471.