The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-13
THE FRENCH FASHIONS.


Correspondence tire philadelphia North American
Pans Sept. 23d.--1ne new fashions for the coming
do not certainly indicate any dimnution either In
the extravaganza of the expense in volume The 81
gantic pecoat grows in spite Of the anmadyesion OF
journalists and the OF satirists. A certain
thor who published book Ia 1916, after abusing the
fashion OF hoops aesthetic and economical grounds de-
iberaey mathematics the roundty of skirts because
they heathensh-pot that heathens them, but
that occupying much room in church. serious people
could not find place there The author Of this strange
thesis the courteous reader that he he author
is neither Quaker, Methodist, very old man, but
young enough 10 retain clear strong and pleasing ideas
Of whatsoever is truly beautiful and lovely in the other
for whom he has great regard and for whose service
and benefit he writes As to the ladies, says he 'the
chief invention in time If not the only consde
BILE one is the hoop petcoat dress which, even in its
original institution sufficiently absurd and greatly dis
gused the men, however it might please the women This
think, in about the year l709 Though was then
young, well remember everybody thought this new
fashion would be out in twelyemonth at fthest espe
ciay considering that wits exposed and diculed it
with so much humor that it was believed the fair
would be soon laughed out of it, heartily weary, and
ashamed of so nonsenscal whimsey But all found
ourselves mistaken the hoop stood its ground and has
continued to this very day For many years. however,
it restrained within reasonable compass and to
degree toerable But of late within these two twelve
months thereabouts it has spread itself to enor
nous circumference that there is enduring il any
longer. lis now past jest the whole sex, in man
ner, especially the younger sort the misses are, by
Inns piouSious Baineht, pecome pcIiecb Puphc hui-
sance"
The above ebullition Of humor against hoops is as
applicable to the Of the nineteenth century to
those of the eighteenth whether they be cased in hoops
of crinoine in hoops of steel short time since, in
Holland, lady was fined public nuisance for taking
up too much the sidewalk and obstructng the
passage for pedestrians.
The dress bonnets for the autumn are generally fash
Toned Of mixture Of stripes of ghtcolorod velvet with
velvet blonde, feathers, and lace. The slopng
may be formed of tulle either black white and tho
front edged with broad band of blue, white, pink,
lilac velvet the ornaments two white feathers, tip
ped with the color the velvet, and they
placed rather far back the sides The tulle curtain
edged with roll of velvet, and is trimmed with
trels blonde and the bandeau in front is formed by
a double bow of blue velvet.
Pretty bonnets of gray silk have pulled and pointed
crown blue curtains and strings gray and blue bows
outside, and double bow of the kind inside. All
dresses are made without basques; the corsage
point, and double skirts rarely Founccs
tnue in favor for both thin and thick materials and
worn in the street well ut evening entertainments.
The burnous will be the most fashionable style of
tumn and winter outer garment Casalues of the same
material the robe also worn, and form very suit
able and becoming walking costume They tight to
the figure and without any trimming. Dark plain silks
much in vogue for this style of costume the skirt
under the oasaque IL perfectly plain without any
meut, excepting Of large buttons dawn the front,
matching those the corsage of the casaque The very
warm weather has prevented any dsplay yet of
tumn and winter modes in the of fortnight
will be able to initiate our readers fully into the
mysteries Of the shapes materials and styles OF gowns,
mantles, bonnets, and lingerie