Mermaid

(Perhaps in the interests of having something one can actually dance -- and walk -- in, this description of a mermaid costume blithely ignores the fish-tail aspect!)

Dress with low bodice of eau de Nile silk, covered with drapery of sea green tulle, with a profusion of white corals, shells, marine grass, flowers, and crystallised foam; the left shoulder of the dress ornamented with a cluster of diamonds; the right shoulder and ceinture with silvery iridescent gems; flowing hair crowned with corals, pearls, and diamonds; interspersed with pendants of seagrass.

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

Comments

[Bellatrixed]

Thanks for that, it's very useful! To be even more irritating... do you happen to have the Rhinemaidens somewhere in your books? The names are Woglinde, Welgunde, and Flosshilde, if that's at all helpful.

[Susan de Guardiola]

Alas, I do not! I've looked through all my sources with no luck. The best I've come up with is Undine, Nymph of the Rhine.

[Bellatrixed]

Undine, Nymph of the Rhine? I'd love to see it, si vous plait - I've never heard of a Rhineish Undine. Interesting!