Queen of Beetles

(The Victorian fascination with the natural world...Angels & Insects was not as far off as you'd think.  I love the "ever-moving" toy beetles.  Keep in mind that "short skirt" in this case means mid-calf length, not a miniskirt, and the whole thing would probably be built over a bustle.)

Short black skirt with horizontal stripes of red and yellow; the same combination carried round the top of the black bodice; a black pointed cap, the whole covered with ever-moving toy beetles.  A sceptre in the hand, surmounted by a beetle.

Source: Holt, Ardern.  Fancy Dresses Described, 5th Edition.  London: Debenham & Freebody, 1887.

Comments

[AJ]

Where can I get some ever-moving toy beetles? Also, do you think it would be acceptable to do this in a dark, iridescent beetle green?

[Susan de Guardiola]

I have no idea on the beetles -- can't imagine how they did it and would love to find out. Maybe they're set on short bits of wire so they sway back and forth? That might give the illusion of motion.

I think doing it in iridescent green would be fine. Changeable taffeta is period, in fact, and would be perfect. These descriptions are suggestions to get people started, not any sort of official fashion policy. Doing it in pink would probably not be very Victorian, since it wouldn't suggest "beetle" to viewers, but anything reasonably beetle-related would have the proper effect.