(A list of suggestions for costumes for sisters that also work for any pair or group of women. I can just imagine my sister's reaction had I ever suggested dressing her as a slave to my Circassian Princess...)
SISTERS who desire to appear in costumes which assimilate might choose any of the following: Apple and Pear Blossoms, Sovereign and Shilling, Cinderella's two sisters, Cordelia's sisters, Brenda and Minna Troil, Brunhilda and Kriemhilda, Salt and Fresh Water, the Roses of York and Lancaster, a Circassian Princess and Slave, Music and Painting, the Two Nornas, Lovebirds, Aurora and the Hours, Oranges and Lemons, and Four Sisters as the Seasons.
Source: Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, 5th Edition. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1887.
Cinderella being a pantomime, in my mind her sisters are always men in drag. Also they're known almost universally as the Ugly Sisters. I'd assume this was not the case when this suggestion was made. Or would this be one view of the tale at the time, with other views as well? If I had time and research skills, I'd try and find out.
I like Sovreign and Shilling. In fact they should be some kind of pulp adventure duo. One is big, posh but brash and blonde, the other common, useful, welcome everywhere and silver-haired.
Posted by: Neil W | November 5, 2010 at 09:34 AM
I don't seem to have any sort of description for costumes for Cinderella's sisters, though I've got some fairly ornate ones for Cinderella herself (both at the hearth and at the ball), so I don't know quite how they were envisioned. Not drag, however!
I'll keep an eye out for any information on this.
Posted by: Susan de Guardiola | November 5, 2010 at 10:53 AM