Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-20
THE FRENCH FASHIONS.

FASHIONS.
APRIL 2sth.-Several magnificent fetes co.,
Hmes have been given since Easter The fes.
uvites OF the carnival appeared to have been
esierred, in the circle of the haHt ton, until
ater Paques The ordinary trappings of shep-
nerds and shepherdesses marquis and mar
gulse PamPadour and Marie Stuart Francis
l. aud Henry ~, have been discarded for
neurological costumes, varying according to
the taste and appearance Of the modern god or
the fair goddess. That representing the Queen
Cybele consisted Of a robe of the finest white
| cashmere barege, embroidered with gold in q
Greek pattern, running round the bottom of
4 the skirt and at top. Across the centre twined
q wreath Of myrtle leaves in gold embroidery.
The waist is gathered in by golden band, en-
graved with lions, an emblem Of Cybele; and
the sleeves are looped upwith six golden fbula.
from Greek model. A crimson scarf was fast
Lsued on the left shoulder with gold brooch,
copied from the antique, and its rf( SAInop color
was hneiy brought out by bro&a s4s1[I de gold
embroidery, in that Greek pattern whioEN NiSdp-
posed 10 have been suggested by the waves of
the sea-: The head-dress was a crown OF goldAr
towers, and the fair Duchess who persona31Ef
the dreek Queen bore in her hand a golden
sceptre and key, the emblems Of Cybelo The
moon was represented by a lady wearing pet
ticoat Of white silver tissue, covered with clouds
OF blue and white gauZe, shaded off and lOoped
up with blue and white marabouts, the dress
AeSSh oOAuS ulamOlQ CTeScentS.
AROUND the waist was belt Of magnificent
diamonds. A riviere of large diamonds sparkled
round the top Of the corsage. On the head
were q white gauze veil and marabouts and on
the centre OF her forehead a diamond crescent.
Fastened half way down the dress was blue
belt, upon which were represented the phases
OF the moon, reaching to the bottom of the
with her attendant stars. Night was robed in
dark blue, over black, powdered with silver
stars, and veil Of dark blue and silver. The
attendant stars wore light blue tulle dresses,
spsngled with silver stars, and each with a
large diamond star on her fair forehead A
blue veil, with silver stars, Hoatod from the
back Of the head, and completed costume of
rare beauty.
Among the most remark able costumes at one
OF these fancy ball, was that representing Marie
Leexinski, the Queen Of Louis XIV, in u robe
OF white silver, with deep point lace founce
attached to the dress by garland of pink
roses. The pattern of this founce represented
the principal events of the reign of Louis XIV.
L would be afraid to offer surmise of the enor.
nous cost of this precious web
The full dress ball costumes for the spring
entertainments, are generally composed of very
light materials, such as gauzes tulles grapes.
&c Two very full skirts, sometimes puffed all
over, are supported by an under petticoat of
silk. On others the first skirt is trimmed with
pink ribbon; the second skirt is covered with a
fOunce Of rich lace.
The most striking feature in the festivities of
this past winter has been the display of magnif-
cent Jewelry. If the dOwagers of the old regiD,s
bossted OF their fami diamonds the fair danes
who form the court circle Of the present day far
surpass them in the quantity and maynifcence
of their gems The toilettes are literally gilt
tering With precious stones; the par,sres are rot
only rich from the value of the Jewels which
compose them. but are works of art by the
beauty and skill displayed in their mountings
In former days, jewels descended from genera
tlon 10 generation unsltered; now their set
ungs vary with every change Of fashion
Walking dresses for the spring are all made
with high bodies, and generally without basque,
the waist forming six points. Brandenbourgs
tassels, fringes, lace and yelvets are tho decor
ations in vogue. For young persons the follow
ing Is pretty trimming the decoration is q
ruche OF ribbon, or a fringe about three fingers
wide, surmOunted by two or three rows of vel
Vet placed round the skirt, little below the
waist. Silk dresses are trimmed, when made
with two skirts, with rich fringes or galloons,
OF the same color the robe ON the upper
SKIRT Walking dresses are generally very
much ornsmented ON the skirts Last wear the
trimmings were almost invariably placed en-
9HIlIsS, or bands Of velvet, OF passcmenterie
arranged perpendicularly; now they are more
frequently placed round the skirt. The same
color as the dress Is preferred. Sometimes
plain skirts are worn, but they are then made
very full, and in exceedingly rich materials
One very deep hOunce, prOfusely trimmed with
ruehes or bands Of velvet, is also in favor
We have an immense variety of spring and
summer wrappings; the close fitting jacket is
still worn, but the BurnOus manteIet STYLED
the Magician, Is the greatest novelty This
mantle is large Burnous, without lining,
trimmed with ruches Of silk, or velvet bands.
or gallOOns. The black silk point, double or
single, when trimmed with a deep lacs floupce
forms very elegant shawl. We have also
the mantelet tulipe, and the mantelet amedail-
Ions
The shape Of the bonneu 10 decidedly the
Marie Stuart style-eoming very far forward
on the head, and bent down towards the fore
head; the sides stand off from the cheeks; the
sides OF the crown are profusely trimmed and
the curtains are much smaller than those worn
during the winter. Tulle and Grape are the
materials employed, often mixed with velvet
or with fancy straw. Straw and tuffetas also
form n pretty mixture. A caposte may be
fashioned OF tulle puffed, surrounded with a
bias piece OF white silk and three others Of plaid
the last ending in a fat bow at the side A
white blonde is placed around the edge and
flowers inside; the strings arc wide, and have
plaid bias piece sewed around the edges
ParasOls are small, and arc composed of rich
satin or silk, woven expressly for the purpose.
They are generally without fringes, having, in
stead, aounce, cut in large scallops or van
dykes.
IL The army worm has appeared on fIrms
near Norfolk