(I have other descriptions of this costume, but none with such a good illustration. I love the combination of the bustle and the bicorn hat. It might be faster to do the diamonds as appliqué rather than patchwork.)
Pierrette or Harliquina (for she is called by either name) has become a very favourite character at fancy balls of late, and the costume is decidedly piquante, and has a great air of individuality. The lady in the picture is dressed in pink and green, but the dress can also be made in red and black, white and silver, pink and blue, and in many other combinations of colour. The bodice and petticoat are made in diamond-shaped pieces of shot silk, alternately pink and Chatreuse green, and the gay little cloak which hangs from one shoulder, has a border of diamonds to correspond. The top-skirt is formed of a drapery of pale green mousseline chiffon, and the two-cornered Directoire hat has a large rosette made of the two colours. Long black gloves appear in the picture, but these would be in better taste if they matched the dress.
Source: Armstrong, Lucie. The Ball-Room Guide. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co., c1880s.
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