The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-08-14 00:00:00

GOSSIP ON DRESS.

THE following article appeared in the Graphic: An
undeniable authority upon all matters connected with
dress and fashion announces that simplicity will be
the order of the day at the Paris watering-places and
seaside resorts; but three changes of costume a day
will be worn by the leaders of fashion: a morning
dress of some neat material and design, a costume
for the promenade, and one for the table d'hae or
concert; fathers and husbands should bless this
mysterious being who rztles HO wisely and eco-
nomically.
* * *

AUGUST is the month for the enjoyment of sea-
bathing, the water is deliciously warm, and the rays
of the sun we not so fierce as in June or July. At
many of our fashionable watering-places there are
elaborate arrangements made for bathing and learn-
ing to swim under cover. Very good for timid people
and for students of this useful art, but once having
acquired a free use of the limbs, and courage, it is far
better to take to the open sea or river. There is no
change in the material and make of bathing costumes
this season, for nothing more suitable can be found
than coarse blue serge, not too heavy, sparingly
trimmed either with white or scarlet wide braid, and
bone buttons. The costume should consist of combi-
nations reaching below the knees, a blouse with elbow
sleeves, and a sailor collar open at the throat. It is
to be regretted, it is an undeniable fact, that sea-
air and bathing irpmis the complexion, but whether 'tis
best tc let Nature do her worst and to enjoy the
present without troubling for the future, or to use a
variety of cosmetics, pastes, &c., is an open question.
A French contemporazy says that it is a pity to
return from the seaside scorched and burnt, and that
many bathers cover their faces with a thick layer of
cold cream, and over that a mask of poud7 e de riz ;
we question much if the remedy is not worse than the
disease.

AT most of our English watering-places the ma-
chines are pushed into the sea, but in foreign places
a long walk in view of the numerous lookers-on is a
part of the ceremony; in that case a large circular
cloak is necessary. This mantle is made of blue, red,
or white flannel, either trimmed with rows of braid
or embroidered and scalloped at the edge. Those of
our readers who really suffer from the sea air and
hard water will do well to substitute fine oatmeal for
soap, and to wash their hands and faces with butter-
milk. If it is sour, so much the better, and the un-
pleasant odour may be counteracted by putting a lump
of orr's root into the vessel which contains it.

THE costumes prepared for the yatching sesson are
noteworthy for their neatness and stylishness com-
bined. From one of our leading houses, distinguished
for its stamp of originality and elegance, we saw a
vatching costume of striped blue and cream white
'flannel, a blue serge upper dress and bodice opened
over a blue and white striped petticoat and waistcoat,
the revers on both bodice and sleeves ware white,
with blue anchors embroidered at each corner; a blue
serge squadron hat trimmed with blue and white
braid,

IT has been generally remarked that whiLe was
worn by young people at Henley and Lord's during
the exceptionally gay week, when it was difficult to
decide between the rival attractions of the bat and
the oar, the river and the field. Pure white Indian
muslin takes the lead, and nothing can look cooler or
prettier for a slender figure than an embroidered
muslin skirt with a bodice simply gathered and con-
fined at the waist with a white watered silk band or a
wide Indian silk sash. Sometimes the bodice is made
with very narrow pleats, after the Norfolk blouse
style; this looks very pretty when new, but, unless
washed and got up by experienced hands, it coon gets
stretched and out of order. Where the figure re-
quires support, as is often the case, even with young
girls, velvet Swiss bands are much worn, together
with broad velvet braces and bows without ends on
the shoulders. With these muslin costumes, a very,
pretty hat called "Le Moissonneur " is most becom-
ing to a bright young face; it is made of a light
cane foundation, covered with quilled lace, a
bunch of oats, and a large bow and ends
of claret -coloured ribbon. For the seaside
th

is hat is very useful, made in string-coloured
[ace, which is very durable; it may be varied
by changing the bow and flowers to suit any costume.
We were recently shown some wonderful bargains
bought at the July sale by a young friend at less than a
quarter the price usually charged; at the same time
they are quite fresh and clean. For a few shillings
she had bought sufficient Indian muslin of a delicate
shell-pink and several dozen yards of coffee-lace, with
which she had made herself a most dainty costume.
The skirt was frilled to the knees with alternate rows
of muslin and lace, over this was a full diagonal
drapery of the muslin, edged with lace; a waistcoat
of lace and a draped bodice arranged in diagonal folds
across the front and gauged at the back. A shady
hat of white willow-straw was lined with pink
gathered-muslin and lace, and trimmed with bows of
the muslin and lace. Two sisters of our young friend
were dressed inlhe same simple style, the one in canary-
colour muslin with pearrl-white lace, the other in pale
blue with cream lace.

THERE were several very stylish weddings in July,
and rot a few are coming off shortly in Paris and
London. Here again white is genet ally worn. Before
describing some of the elegant toilettes prepared for
weddings we must mention a pretty novelty recently
revived. The bridal carriage is decorated with white
flowers, a blind is made of them, and placed at the
back of the coachman, fastened up with white satin
bows, and wherever floral decorations can be placed
they are to be found. A very pretty set of brides-
maid's costumes were made in pairs, two wore cream
white glace silk with rose-coloured satin stripes, half-
an-inch wide, for petticoats, waistcoats, and cuffs,
upper skirts of cream velvet with tiny raised desiztl3
of roses; two wore petticoats of pink glace with white
stripes, upper dress of cream velvet and raised designs
of lillies of the valley with green leaves; two had a
very delicate tint of green with golden brown stripes,
and on the cream velvet, upper dresses were nastur-
tiums, from the darkest t the palest shade.
The fourth pair, who were Germans, chose their
Emperor's favourite flower. Their petticoats,
waistcoats' and cuffs were of a rich dark blue
satin, with a lighter shade of satin stripes; the upper
dress of cream was scattered over with blue corn-
flowers in raised satin ',outlined with silver. Each
couple had wreaths and bouquete of the flowers which
formed the motif of their costumes, and wore ample
tulle veils. The bridal dress was of the richest white
satin, with an ample train made quite plain, trimmed
with 9nousselzne de sole, striped with satin, the cuirasse
bodice was quite plain, trimmed with real oranze
blossom.

WHILST anticipating and hoping for fine weather
during our seaside holidays, we should be prepared
for storms as well as sunshine. It is vain to hope for
beauty in a waterproof under whatever name it may
appear. At the same time, nothing looks more com-
fortable and trim than a neatly-cut garment which
enables its wearer to brave all weathers and enjoy a
strong sea breeze. The great desideratum for a water-
proof is that it should be light and easily put on; a
hood, if intended to be worn on the head, should not
be fastened to the garment, but quite independent of
It. There are many pretty materials which can be
waterproofed. and have not the unpleasant smell and
stickiness which is to be found in the indiarubber
garment.