Dolly Varden
Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. (noun) A woman's gown of gay-flowered material, usually a muslin print, made with a pointed bodice and a skirt tucked up or draped over a petticoat of solid color: worn about 1865-70.
- n. (noun) A large hat with a brim overloaded with flowers, worn at one time by women.
- n. (noun) A species of trout or char of California, Salvelinus malma.
Dolly Varden is a character known for her colorful dress in the novel Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.
Examples
“It was necessary that the Dolly Varden skirts should come in with the sprigged and figured silks, the striped taffetas and the broad fichus of silk mull.”
Anne Rittenhouse, 'Latest Pictorial Fashions from Paris,' The New York Times, March 3, 1912
“Bronagh Key posed with her husband at New Zealand House yesterday - wearing matching Trelise gloves and Dolly Varden hat - before heading to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.”
Alanah Eriksen, 'Bronagh 'beautiful' in navy number,' New Zealand Herald, September 1, 2012
“It was a very pretty one, being covered with large red spots on both sides. This is doubtless what is known here as the Dolly Varden trout.”
