The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-12-01 00:00:00

FASHIONS FUR DECEMBER.

For the out-door costume, mantles and pelisses
arc a mode of dress yet unrivalled. They arc
often cNonstructed of rich double-twilled sarsnet,
or velvet ; hut Merino cloth holds a decided pre-
eminence. The favourite colour, royal or biAtip's
,purple, lined with white or marigold sarsoiet ;
they arc made to fit tight to the figure, wrap-
ping over the bosom, and buttoning down (,n the
right side, with small raised silk buttons, confined
to the waist (which is long) by a band and buckle.
To give breadth over the bosom and back (now
considered as indispelsable), the arm.hole is cut so
Small as nearly Weirdos& the cal, of the shoulder;
and to increase this effect, is placed a half sleeve
(very shallow) over the lung sleeve, trimmed the
same as the pelisse. Figarol binding; uf. v civet, in
a wave pattern, are rifest in esteem. Gold is be-
coming rather too general.

French coats in scarlet, Spanish green, purple,
or brown cloth, with high full collars,' broochcd
at the throat, falling in the style of a rube, but
confined to the waist behind ,by a silk cord or
tassel, brought round to tie before ; the edges
wrought in shaded olive brown chenille, or re-
lieved with swansdown ; worn over a high dress
of the same materials, are ass elegant and grace-
ful walking-dress. The Tunic, or Turkish coat,
with long full hanging sleeves lined with fur,
sufficiently wide to admit both hands, thus sup-
plying the place of a muff, is another novelty.
Hats and bonnets are variously constructed af.
ter the Turkish, Spanish, or Grecian manner.
Riding hats in black beaver, with rather a broad
ribband tied in a small bow before; or in the
Spanish form with two small Rat ostrich feathers,
are of the newest and most fashionable adoption.
Straws are a good deal worn, either variegated
or embroidered in coloured chenille; we have
seen several iii black chip, ornamented sr?th pink,
or urauge feathers, tipped with black ; the form
by no It cans absolute, bat to be adapted to the
figure and features of the wearer.
Morning dresses have undergone. some little
variation since our last communications. The
Frearlt robe trimmed with a full border of India
muslin in small plaits, ,or hound with ribband,
confined to thu waist behind by a corded ribband
sash, finished with tassels ; to be worn over a
complete high dress ; the robe being intended
to fall back without a collar, hanging .grace-
fully oric the shoulders, is of the latest fashion.
The slecv.•s are made to fasten at the wrist
with CAICJI ur curneliau buttons. Tho corded
cambric is the favourite article iu their coo.
struction.

For dinner or afternoon dresses, nearly the same
fashion prevails. Tile gowns arc still cot square
in the back, and on the bosom, rather lower as
well before as behind : the shoulders sowething
more exposed. Gy top bands and buckles confine
the waist. In this class I,l* attire, Queen's stuffs
are considered the most fashionable. Lustres,
poplins, imperial, and other boutbaseens, are also
moth worn, ornamented with a very narrow gold
braiding. The colours, orange, scarlet, cinna.
mon, marigold, and bishop's blue. White dresses
of a transparent texture, have a very good ef-
fect, ashen worn with a French coat, wide of
either of the above materials, and supplies the
place of the Roman mantle,' scarf, or tippet
of swansdown, which would be otherwise iudis.
!tensible.
The Grecian sandal, in the form of • half.
boot, cut out on well side the lace holes, display.
ing the stocking, made of white kit, bound,
laced, and embroidered in silver, is a very ;race_
fill ornament for the foot and ankle. White
figured silk shoes colailied with purple satiu,
embroidered in silver, are of the newest in-
vention.
The prevailing colours for the season are
orange, marigold, scarlet, aurora, deem:nun,
bishop's purple, and amber.