The National Register.
London, England, 1809-12-31 00:00:00

PREPAILLVG FiISHIONS FOR THE MONTH.

Pelisses have undergone but little alteration, either in their
f►►rm or texture, since our last observations. They are still
made to fit tight to the shape, to button down the front with
small raised silk buttons, left broad over the bosom and shoul-
ders, but sloped in something narrower to the fail of the back
behind; a cestus encircles the waist, aid is fastened by a button
before; the newest trimming is a velvet about two inches in
breadth.

We have seen several elegant women in fine black cloth pe-
lisses, ornamented with the narrowest gold braiding. Cinna-
mon-brown is, however, the reigning colour in this stile of
dress. Mazarine continues to be much worn. Grass-green it is
expected will succeed to it.
Mantles are mostly wide of scarlet Merino cloth, cut in the
bias, with a broad trimming of velvet of the tame colour; the
collars are likewise made of velvet the cross-way. The hoods
are large, and chiefly lined with white sarsnet ; a tippet of the
same material as the cloak, or of rich sarsenet, is frequently at-
tached to the collar; on one side it is sloped like a pelerine,
while the other terminates in a point hanging gracefully over
the opposite shoulder. Maity ladies for the sake of convenience
have a tippet to their cloth dresses which then answers the pur-
pose of a pelisse, A rich silk Spenser, trimmed with swans-
down, with a white fur tippet and muff, worn over a bomba-
zeen or Queen's stud dress, is a very fashionable and convenient
carriage costume.
Morning frowns continue to be sonde high in the neck.
In the afternoon, or intermediate class of dress, bonibazeens,
lustres, poplins, or stuffs, are every where observable.
In full or evening dress, the backs of the gowns are becoming
considerably narrower, they arc sloped to a point between-the
shoulders ; the bosoms are in the wrap form, but worn very
low ; the neck and shoulders much exposed,. Angles seem to
'have taken place of squares in the formation of the dressei ;
the sleeves are for the most part long. la thh, class of attire,
coloured crapes, gossamer nets, (worn over white satin) with
black or coloured velvets, are in the most fashionable requeil.
,Trains are v►o►n a quarter and half in length. The embroider-
ed cestus, on a narrow gold bated, is the most approved orna-
ment for the waiit. A lace handkerchief, or swansdown- and
satin tippet, is an indi•pensible part of full drew; aid stbapt

835

so long as the shape continues to be so minutely displayed, this
chaste fashion may prevail.
Hats and bonnets have experienced but little variation within
this last mouth ; they are mostly constructed of the same ism-
Aerial as the pelisse ; they are worn turned up in the front, had
drawn in a little to the crown (to appear like a roll) by a ear-
r3W gold binding, and ornamented w ith tote or more that ostrich
feathers. Clouded and variegated straws, in the cottage form,
are still seen on some of our most fashionable belles; but a plain
straw hat, with a high flat crown turned up close behind,
sitting sufficiently hollow from the face to admit underneath
several rows of lace plaiting, which has the appearance of a
full cap, (invented by Millard, at the Corner of Southampton-
street, Strand) is a simple and more modern head-dress.
The hair is either worm brought forward in a full tuft of curls
ou one side the face, or else closely twisted up behind, and con-
fined with a pearl comb ; a wreath of heath is placed at the
hack of the head ti -la- Daphne, encircling the knot of hair twisted
twice round, and inclining to the left ear; this is a most fasci-
nating and graceful head-dress if tastefully disposed. Pins, or-
namented with flies, crescents, or sprays in diamonds, pearls, or
other jewels, have likewise a very elegant and pleasing effect.
In respect to the fashion for jewellery, vie have observed that
fancy necklaces and bracelets are by no means considered as ele-
gant. Plain rows of pearl, ruby, garnet, emerald, &c. are seen
a decorate the necks of our fashionable fair; they are worn of
an easy graceful length; crosses in different coloured jewels are
of new invention.

White satin muffs, trimmed with suansdown, are just intro-
duced ill the fashionable circles as an appendage to full dress,.
Nitre is no variety in shoes ; they are still made of white satin,
occasionally colashed with purple, richly embroidered in gold,
silver, or natural flowers. The Grecian sandal, in the form of
a half boot, cut out to display the lace stocking, made in white,
blue, or pale-pick kind, bound and laced with silver, is in high
e:-timation at Bath ; it is admirably calculated to display a fine
foot to advantage.
The prevailing colours for the .season are, crimson, orange,
inazarine, amaranthus, scarlet, and cinnamon-brown.