We get a very good, and at the same time humorous, description of female dress in 1707 out of Mrs. Centlivre's play of 'The Platonick Lady,' wherein one of the characters is Mrs. Dowdy, 'a Somersetshire Widow, come to Town to learn Breeding.'
Act. 3. Enter Mrs. Dowdy, Mrs. Brazon the Matchmaker, Mrs. Wheedle the Milliner, Mrs. Turnup the Manto Maker, Mrs. Crispit the Tire Woman, and Peeper, her Maid. They all seem Talking to her.
Mrs. Dowdy. We'l, we'l la you now, la you now, Shour and Shour you'l Gally me.
Turnup. Here's your Ladyships Manto and Petticoat.
Mrs. Dowdy. Ladyship, why what a main difference is here between this Town and the Country. I was never call'd above Forsooth in all my Life. Mercy on me, why you ha spoil'd my Petticoat, mum: zee, Peeper, she has cut it in a Thousand Bits.
Peeper. Oh, that's the Fashion, these are Furbelows Madam—'tis the prettiest made Coat.
Mrs. Dowdy. Furbelows, a murrain take 'em, they spoil all the Zilk. Good strange, shour London Women do nothing but study Vashions, they never mind their Dairy I warrant 'em.
Turnup. Ladies have no other employment for their Brain—and our Art lies in hiding the defects of Nature. Furbelows upwards, were devised for those that have no hips, and too large ones, brought up the full bottom'd Furbelows.
Milliner. And a long Neck and a hollow Breast, first made use of the Stinkirk—and here's a delicate one for your Ladyship. I have a Book in my pocket just come from France, Intituled, The Elements of the Toylet.
Mrs. Dowdy. Elements, mercy on me! what do they get up in the Sky now?