Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-03-07
radies Dresses Ar,istioally Considered.

To dress in perfect good taste lady should
thoroughly understand the philosophy of fapparel
Dress is not simply an article of use; garment
which the female sex indiscriminately can wear.
and in which each will appear equally well, hut
it is means whereby tho especial nature Of the
wearer is clearly displayed. That which is be-
coming and appropriate to one is essentially out
of place il worn by another while some costumes
tho Bloomer for instance-possess no fitness for
any and simply serves to render the wearers ridic
ulous. Many things are merely ntiltarinn in
character and have no claim to the slightest beau
ty, but arc stiff and unsecmly Such garments
may be convenient for common use. but with us,
grace and elegance of costume are the truest
signs of lady. A woman Of q tall figure dgn-
fed in her carriage and inclining to soberness of
spirits, if she would preserve these characteris-
tics, would doubtless, select such stuifs for her
dresses, of neutral tints. as would increase this
impression, and would have them made up in q
simple, chaste style, and wear them with hoops
| if the impression she desired to make were more
lively, she would probably choose bright colors,
and add hounces and other trimmings. The op-
posite of this lady, brilliant, gay, little beauty,
would select materials much higher in tone, and
probably, with brighter and more contrasted
trimmings. Jewelry is not obnoxious on such
persons, and brilliant hcad-dress adds to the
general appearance of vivacity. Such lady can
wear hoops of q moderate size with great advan-
CaG6. lnueeu tnc preSent fa6nlOn OF nOOpS-.
which we are glad to see continues unchanged,
Notwithstanding all the gossips say to tho con-
trary- is becoming to moro persons than any
style of dress heretofore adopted. 1t combines
lgracefulness and elegance with healthfulncss and
comfort. Since their introduction spinal diseas-
es, once so common, have in great measure dis
appeared nor has any other complaint arisen in
| it's place. The latest and most authentic advi-
ces received since the first of January, from the
Courts of Europe, state that hoops not only con-
tinue in much favor but their popularity is es-
sentially increased. especially since The French
Empress has, for weighty reasons, expressed q
desire that they should remain in vogue. All
American ladies who consult taste, comfort
health and good sense wolld not dispense with
them on any account. A slight alteration in the
shape of the skirts is the only change at all ap
parent. They have became We perceive, q trihel
more moderate in dimensions, noticeable rartcu-
larly in the upper part of tho skirt-the hoops in
the lower portion having suffered little diminu-
tion. The fashionable skirt. as now nlanufac-
tured by w. S. & Q. II. Thomson & Co, com,
hines several novel features, not heretofore intro
duced. which renders it. we think. not only more
becoming, but secures for it n permanent exis-
tencc among the thinking and consideratc por-
ton OF the community. We refer to their .'new
patent Corrugated Springs" which, while they
increase the strength and stiffness of the skirt,
yet reduce the weight of it nearly one-half, a
most important feature, we judge, to their gem
eral worth. This is undoubtedly the greatest I'M
rrovement made in the skirts since their adoption
in this country.
So far from the business of hoop skirts declin-
ing. we learn that the Messrs. Thomson are ez-
tending theirs and that they are now manufac:
turing, at their four factories from four to five
thousand skirts daily. Their "Crown Skirts,
so we'll known to the trade and the ladies' through
out the country, have been slightly modified in
form, to,accord with the new shape just intro |
duced. These last are said to surpass, in beauty
and elegance, any yet offered in the New York
market. Among the old fayorites OF this firms
manu- facture we recall to mind, the "Indestruct-
ible,'' the "Woven," and the Gossamer," each
of which in their peculiar excellencies stand IN,
rivalled. Their new skirts, tho 'sDouble Traii,
and the "Parisian Belle," have specialities OF
their own, which must be seen to be duly nppre-
ciated.
There is no dress lady can wear. no matter
what may be its material, its color, or its FASH
ion. that is not improved in its general appear
ance by being spread out BY hoops Through
their aid. dignity and grace are attained, and
the sweeping lns Of The skirt preserved in all its
'|. IL