Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-17
Fashions for June.

Summer fashions have assumed q definite
form; but, although general rules exist, much
is left to fancy and taste in order to vary the
monotony of style and accessories. Formerly,
but few OF our most fashionable modistes would
dare to introduce strongly contrasting colors
our eyes are now, however, so accustomed to
the mixture of green and yellow, scarlet and
black, DC, that we are no longer startled by
the appearance of the most striking contrasts.
but on the contrary, seek them as most desira.
BILE. Thus, if black is greatly in favor as an
accessory, red has numerous partizans--not
the groseille worn during the Writer, but the
real poppy; chestnut, brown, violet, cobalt blue,
are the other colors generally preferred. Bon
nets are still very small, and the crowns are SO
compressed and thrown back on the neck, that
| they are almost hidden by the enormous bows
with long floating ends which ornament them;
| the bonnets are allowed merely to rest on tho
back of the head, and are ornamented either
with flowers or feathers, mixed with lace and
bows Of ribbon. The insides are trimmed with
profusion Of flowers and blondes Some la
dies may be seen with immense moss roses
with their leaves, and even peonies in full
bloom, surrounding their faces.
Straws-especially tissue of straw worked
by new process, which is sold by the yard
are much in vogue and it must be admitted
that it is much easier to work this material into
various forms than the original fancy straw,
which requires much skill and dexterity to fold
the many designs now to be seen in these light
and graceful bonnets. It was expected that
we should hear no more of the pelisses this
summer; and small mantelets echd,pes and
some talmas for children and young ladies were
the only styles ventured upon; but, contrary
to the opinion decidedly given, the pelisse,
though it must be acknowledged in far pref
tier and more becoming form, is now to be
seen; it is quite loose and open in front, leay-
ing the bust nnconfned, and consequently
without the Inconvenience produced by the
plaits for which the former pelisse was so much
disliked The greatest variety in the shape Of
mantelets is nos displayed. Some are com
pletely covered with narrow laces, placed in
cross lines, and new kind Of passementerie,
of stamped plain velvet upon taffetas ground
others of black MORE antique, bordered with
passementerie of blue feathers between rows
of black velvet, and terminated by deep lace.
Another novel trimming is composed of
new style of fringe or passementerie, being
succession Of handsome tassels The usual
number Of rows on a mantelet is three. Some
ladies adopt the ruche la vieille, placed in
biassed lines half way up the mantelet from the
other edge Dresses are worn with hounces of
all descriptions; as many as thirty-two narrow
frills or founces may be seen upon some skirts,
but by far the greater number have been three
and five founces. Poplins and tafeta lines
are made with plain skirts. The founces are
frequently Of different nature or texture to
the robe; and we often see hounces with thick
satin stripes, edged with narrow fringe, upon
barege skirts. The scarf mantelet is fashion.
able this season; but, in order that it may be
graceful, it must reach no lower than the waist,
and be quite degage on the shoulders. 1t is
trimmed with one or several frills of lace in
flutes, edged with fringe of plated ribbon.