The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-03-31
LAp,r.' spalso FAsH1oSs-Thoueh fash.

LADIES SPRISe FASHIONS fash
ions are said to be changeable as the wind,
one thing has always been fashionable, and
that is, to rail at fashions. But the popu-
larity of this kind of grumbling by no
means establishes the unreasonableness of
fashion. Every body grumbles at the
weather, yet there are few but will admit,
if they had the regulating of the weather,
they would be at loss to improve it. So
with fashions, we all grumble at them as
absurd, fantastic, &c, while at the same
time none but fool will set them at de-
fiance. Fashion is an accomplishment as
we'll as proof of civilization. Nations that
are stationary in their costume. are sta
tionary in everything else. The Fejee
Islonders never change their fashions, no
more than they change from their condi-
ton of barbarism. The most progressive
nations are those whose people are best
dressed
This by way of preface Monday was
Opening day of the milliners and mo-
distes in New York-that day on which
the votaries Of fashion are allowed to catch
the first glimpse of the glories in reserve
for the vernal season. The day looked
like anything but spring, for it was ushered
in by furious snow storm. Nevertheless,
it was great day among the ladies, and
all the New York dailies Of Tuesday give
column or two each descriptive of its
revelations.
We can gather from these luminous and
voluminous details however, but few
items to interest our Ottawa ladies. The
only point which appears to have created
any perceptible agitation among the ladies
and here it was "profound''-is in re,
ference to the new bonnet. The authority
from which we quote says:
Fashion produces this season very
pretty and most sensible looking GOVERN .
for the head, in lieu Of the useless little
things which have been heretofore in
vogue. The spring bonnets resemble in
shape the cottage bonnet, worn years ago,
only that the front does not set quite SO
close to the face. The new bonnets are
decidedly pretty, and if not carried to an
ugly extreme in size, will be pronounced
the prettiest worn in long time. The last
year fashion ran Oft at the back OF the
head-this year it threatens to run quite
over the eyes. The front project, nicely
over the top of the head, yea stands out
Sufficiently from the face TO enable a lady
to dress her hair as she may like The
cap, or soft crown, seems to be great ia
vorite, but plain ones are much worn. Rich
flowers and illusion will be largely used in
trimming.
The only other quotation of interest we
find is in reference TO dress, as follows;
As to the fashions Of the nodtstes, there
is not so much noise in that quarter. In
the dressmaking rooms all is smiling and
peaceful serenity over the tiOunced robes,
which are the feature in spring silks The
plain skirt and fiounced skirt will be worn,
but the hounces have the largest choice
The corsage for this season will be round
points being exclusively confined to even
ing dresses A very pretty sleeve, which
is entirely new and very stylish, is the
:" leaf sleeve it is very wide and the bot
tom IS curved to represent the oak leaf
/ The cape is the same, and both are orna
mented with pulled silk trimming edged
with narrow black lace. 1T is gathered in
large box pleats into the arm and forms a
very pretty sleeve The corsage which
accompanied this sleeve was made hall
high, with broad collar e the silk turned
back and trimmed to match the sleeve
This is novel pattern, but the favorite
mode for home and promenade Is the
high necked, round corsage. There are {
variety of pretty new sleeves, the capuchin:
and the halfcoat sleeve being among the
prettiest. For promenade, the tavorite
colors this season will be chaste tints, silver
gray, drab mode and other quiet colors.-
| For evening toilet, light colored chimes
and crepes de Paris will be the iavorite
material; corsage cut low and pointed
Illusion bands and capes will be much
Z worn