The Sun.
London, England, 1808-12-01 00:00:00

FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER.

DFSCR IPTION OF THE PREY AILING FASHIONS FOR THE
MONTH, AS TAKEN FROM MINU FR OBSERVATION, BY A
LADY OF DISTINGUISHED TAsrt, FROM REAL DIES ES;
PYTILACTED FROM " LA BELLE ASSENOLES.; OR, KELL's
COURT AND FA NRIONABLZ MAGA 7...1NE,‘" FOR THE
PRESENT MONTH.

• ~
The Spanish costume, which now so universally, prevails,
is in itself most attractive and gracefut ; anti blended (as it
now is) with the fashions of our isle, produces a most be.
coming and advantageous efred. but we must here take oc-
casion to observe, that the Spanish style is better adapted
for evening or full dress. When a nation like, Great Britain,
whiehls rich in its own .ingenuity, borrows'•ihe 4rabits of
another, they should be allowed to improve and diversify
without encroaching too much on national taste.
'The Spanish hit, of most becoming and simple construc-
tion, is apptOpriatennly to full dress, or the carriage; 'for
the streets it is certainty ill-adapted, being too commanding
and glaring. • All the distinguishing points of the Spanish
comfit-re are• very striking, and possess much airiness and
grace;- andare conseqUently best calculated for. that higher
order of decoration which should distinguish the eveniog, or
full dress. We are induced to offerohese remark; from the
present general rage for almost:every species of the' SPanish
habit, doubtless arising from a noble ardour in the present
magnanimous cause in which our nation is engaged ; and from
that natural association of feeling which descends from
greater to lesser things. But while we express our admira-
tion at a praise-worthy enthusiasm, we wish not to digress
from the express purpose of these remarks, which is intended
to point out to the fair individual riot only what is most ad-
vantageous, but also what (tetrads from her personal charms.
To come, therefore,• more immediately to our purpose :
obsetve.several elegant improvements in the mottle, cloak, •
and'pelisse ; and amidst the diversity which presents itself,
we mention the following as the most seled aifelegant.,
Clcurks or. mantles of grass:green or purple velvet, or of
fine Vtgonoi, or Merino cloth, lined throughout with sirs-
net, and -trimmed with spotted ermine, or other fur.. The
scarlet mantle is frequently ornamented with borders of black
velvet, in the Tuscan style, with full collars to correspond.
Pelisses (which are alternately formed of velvet, cloth, or
sarsnets) admit also of much variety in their construdion ;
some are formed plain, with high full collars, and clasps of
gold or cut steel confitte them in front from the .throat to the
feet. Others have large fancy capes, or a sort of sca-
pulaires trimmed with erinitua, falling over the shoul-
ders. The Opera mantle is usually worn short and cut
to a point behind; if of white satin, it is trimmed with
gossamer fur or swansdown ; if of cloth, with spotted er-
mine or. blue fox. White tippet's are not so general as
last season ; but they are an article so neat and appropriate,
that they will never be entirely exploded: The Russian
bonnet, of cloth or velvet, ornamented with chenille, or
curled floss trimming, is exceedingly unique and elegant.—
The Minerva helmet, formed of the Union satin, with the
patriotic plume, is a most attradive and distinguishing arti-
die in this line. Velvet bonnets with full tiara fronts, with
ends pendant on the left side, after the Hungarian style,
blend with the straw bonnets of the simple cottage form ;
the former are worn with short lace veils, and the latter
triinmed with a ribband or handkerchief appropriate to •the
season. No shelter for the pedestrian fair can be more con-
sistent and becoming than this last mentioned article. Spa.
nish hats for full dress, are -formed of satin, frosted velvet,
and gold or silver tissue. Satin caps blended with lace,
with full tiara fronts, formed of-curled .feathers, or leaves,
are most becomingly adapted for ladiei of mature years. -Lace
caps in the Armenian and Roman style are well suited' to
the morning, or half dress. Coronets, tiaras, and richly
ornamented combs, in gold, silver, or gems, are seen to,orna.
• meat the hair in Lull dress ; amidst this splendid species of
decoration, the Spartan diadem is most novel and elegant.
Morning robes are formed either in simple French wraps,
sitting-close to the form, or in round gowns of plain muslin
or cambric, with high waist of imperial knotted muslin,
buttontadown the back, and worn with a high vandyke ruff
of muslin. or lace, fastened in front of-the throat with a
' ,brooch of jewellery. There is an infinite and,splendid va
flay in the article of trinkets since our. last communication;
and the taste and ingenuity displayed in the construction of
these ornamentscannot be surpassed, They are too nume-
rous to particularise ; but we take occasiun here to remark
that the most elegant clasps for the reams are now exhibited
___at...the brilliant marts of Cashion--they are en-suite with the
brooch and are alternately of diamonds, pearl; cut steel, gold,
or silver. We consider then) a most consistent and attractive
'ornament. Shoes are worn more showy than we . have re-
membered them tor some time. They-are formed of deep
winter colours, embroidereil at the or•es in coloured silks,
and in gold or silver. Nothing, however, can surpass in
elegance the white satin slipp.r; nor tiny shoe be too plain
for common occasions. Thereis no change worthy of remark
•in gloves. White trench kid invariably belong to full dress.
The must fashionable colours for the season are scarlet, pur-
ple, aantster, grAss-iircen, and motonv shol4;.