(Here's another easy out for ladies who don't want to wear "decided" fancy costumes, and a perfect example of the power of strategic naming: simply wear an evening gown in colors reminiscent of one of Whistler's famous Nocturne paintings, of which a primary characteristic was their lack of narrative content.)
"In black and white, or red and white, after Whistler. The term is generally applied to a stylish evening dress of the above mixtures. The name is a fashion of the hour, and finds favour with those who do not care for decided fancy costumes."
Sources:
Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, 2nd Edition, Illustrated. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1880.
Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, 5th Edition. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1887.
The "fashion of the hour" label seems to be accurate -- it does not appear in the sixth (1896) edition of Holt.
Interestingly, there is at least one Whistler portrait labeled a Nocturne: the Nocturne in Pink and Grey, Portrait of Lady Meux (1881-1882), shown at left (click image to enlarge). It's not a ballgown, but it does suggest a wider range of color possibilities than those given above. Whistler also painted Nocturnes in combinations of blue and gold, black and gold, blue and silver, and grey and gold.
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