Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-04-02
THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF
THE SPRING FASHIONS INN Y.


Yesterday, as our readers are aware, was
devoted to the Inauguration of the spring fash
ions, and although the weather was unpro-
pitions, and the day was observed with more
than usual feryor.
BoNNers.-The new styles are very small
and. in fact, they are more like full bor-
dered cap or head dress flowers than anything
else. They are rounded at the cheeks, the
crown has disappeared and has been re-
placed by gentle slope. and the outer rim
Of the bonnet been turned down and almost
concealed by the the thick ruche of soft fut-
ed blond that invariably forms the face trim
ming. Ribbons are not much used for trim
ming, but fruit and flowers are in high favor.
Trimming is almost exclusively confined to
the back, where pendant sprays Of flowers
and hanging punches of fruit fall i'll graceful
profusion; and the beauty of this arrange
ment is considerably heightened by the
double cape which invariably accompanies it.
The capes are extremely long and perceptl-
bly, pointed, and as they are made OF lace,
they have a light, undulating appearance.
DREssEs.- Basques are still in high favor
The skirt of the Basques is much deeper than
ever, being twelve or fourteen inches below
the waist, and trimmed with deep but not
full fall of lace Bretellas are yet patron
lied, as they give such opportunities for trim
ming. The coursage is high and closed, and
the front trimmings are usually OF soft fancy
buttons, tassel shape. The Joan OF Arc
waist is still worn, and the round waist, eth
or plain or trimmed with bretellas, but we
have nothing ENTIRELY new. Of sleeves there
is great variety. Skirts are almost uni
versally hounced, and the founces trimmed
with ribbons, velvet or moss trimming
The most popular number of founces is three,
though some prefer two deep ones: The
skirts are worn very full-the anomaly, the
hoop renders it imperative.
MANT1LLAs.-We have not any very orig-
nal designs in mantillas this season, but the
old STYLES have not lost their power to charm,
if we may Judge from the admiring looks
and phrases lavished on them. They are of
eyery material, from the heavy MORE antique
to the light application lace, and of all colors,
from the sombre black to the bright azure
blue. The trimmings are diverse, but the
universal is lace and fringe. The most adj
mired are those which are shaped like scarf
with two and sometimes three plaits.
STYLE OF WEARING THE HA1R.-The
hair will be parted about three inches
from the forehead, sometimes three inches
and half. This depends on the style of the
face. 1t is then brought in semi-circle,
forming point down the back of the head,
about two inches from the back of the ears
on each side. The front hair is divided into
three parts. The lower is frizzled and thrown
towards the back of the head; the upper is
frizzled and thrown forward; and the third
division falls in short ringlets over the ears.
False hair is more worn than ever. We are
told that proportion of ten to twelve wear it.
MouRN1Ne.- Mourning goods are gradual
ly but decidedly losing the simplicity that
formerly characterized them, and now vie in
elegance of style and profusion of ornament
with the gayest. N. \. Herald