The New York herald., 1862-03-21
SPRING FASHIONS
Opening Day I'm the Metropolis.

SPRING FASHIONS
Opening Day I'm the Metropolis.
This season the openings detachmsnts, instead
Of in compact mass as formerly. Some establish
ments opened yesterday will opeu to morrow aud
others this day week. This independent system has bcen
growing favor Of late and has its advantages 1ndsed
openings every increasing in number soms
ssch change not only desirable but necessary for
amount OF endurance enthusiasm could enable the fair
votsries Of fashion undergo the fatigue OF inspecting
ono tilhc of these displays. Evsn if they limited thcn
solves to Broadway the task would be Hercuean were
performed in thorough conscientious manner O course
il 1t dono in superficial wayf ladies hurried
into establishment glanced around them and hurried
again. bringing away but ndistinct idea OF aces.
silks flowers, ribbons and straw blended together in in
excsbe confusion il could he done but little labor
little profit holds good here well other cases. and
at the close Of an opening day, SO passed. should
say SPENT the fashion hunter would 30 ncapabts
OF comparing the styles Of different establishments
spreciang their respective merits the house hnptsr
who looked only at the bills would be to discriminate bs
tween house and another Scattered openings have
no, this objection they give time for close sxau,ina
ton and the odise Of superior taste this is an In
cacuabe advantage for the minute elcgances Of DETAIL
the harmony Of parts and the perfection Of hnsh which
is the tficmph Of the sodes art may bs unnolcsd in
casual gapcc, but always 10 make their mark
when there is time and opportunity for close scrutiny
In this way scattered openings may provo benefit
For many past "opening day has been un.
favorable outdoor exercise just the sort OF day haa
would test to tho utmost the devotion OF the fair Maa
to the Protean deity that presdss the
fashions Yesterday opened in the usual style-wss
sidewalks and lowering skies hold poor Inducements
to pedestraDs but cleared up in the forenoon and
continued dull aud dry throughout the day The exhi
bto well patronized, the goods thoroughly
discussed tho visiters free from that absorbed
air that says plainly words could say, 'sThers is
srea. dca. Of sight seeing be done and very little ma
TO do it in."
In shape the bonnets have changed very tt!a tney ara
at these and higher in the front and the oape s
smaller but in essentials they are the ssms a. iass
season As tho shape preeudss tas possibility Of sida
trimming tho lace and flowers that bssutiry the Inside
ara disposed in fowcry bandcaux the forehead
or inclined little the side. They very sens
rally finished of with edgng Of lace, black or whSs
and sometimes q combination Of both. Ia soms caseA
the Transparent and Transparent odgs runs
around tho 'front.' imparting air OF ighne5a TO thd
fresh spring bonnet that speaks eioquentiy OF comna
summer The materials most in use are Grape silk, lace
and straw Shrred hats In high favor and dsservs
10 BE- for nothing be preter or more simple than
this STYLE which neither requires nor will allow much
clearer idea of the incoming styles. we purpose TO give
description in detail of few Of the prominent
specimens next week. when all our millinery establish
men,s will opened their treasures for the inspections
Of tbs public or favored few, as the case MAJ be
The mant,lla stores have not broushtout their sum
msr styles yet but their spring stock is varied and
abundant Long roundabout cloaks reaching almost 70
tho edge Of the SKIRT bright king plaid and striped
nondscrpts mantes of Shepherds plaid, short, loose
basques black silk drab eloth, the hrst surrNe
from, sdgcd with plnksd ruce and trimmed round the
skirt with deep fr the second close up 20 the front
and finished with little collar bound with bus Or
cherry coored silk This last style is very suitable sor
the spring and carly summer and ii viii probably ba
reproduced in lighter materials for the midsummer
Very different from the cloaks at She corresponding
period Of last year. which cmuated The dresses in LENGTH
this new candidate for public favor does not como Gar
below the waist permits tho whole expanss OF the
skirt 10 be visible. It is easily made, takes little mate
rial is pretty itself, and we doubt not win be popular
for time It will not suit every figure but what gar
mcpt devised by man or woman ever dds IN dress
goods We have the usual varictss-moire antiques
poplins. wat cred Silks tafelas reps and fouards Tbs
last is growing favor and will be very muck worn tais
season. OF course dark merinoos are still TO be seem
reminding US that springs days not all warm, and
that summer and muslin dresses yet some weeks
ahead o, us The lighter fabrics, suitable for Juy
weather. are net generally on exhibition but they VIII
soon be They consist OF organdcs light silks, grapes
grenadines popins and fouards Dresses are very pro
fusey trimmed The prevailing fashion Is u Grec7w
and the trimming is not confined 10 any one part
or the dress, but is used on skirt. sesys
and corsage with lavish disregard Of EXPENSE
The akirts arc very full and very long forming dem
train which may look very graceful in bali room, but
vsrv decidedly the the sidewalk The gcred
skrt IA st worn, though not in such favor hsreie
FORE end aounces universal They arc arranged ID
1Ssny ways.ohe deep dounts, with heading Or small
ones or an infinite number Of tiny nounces that ought
rather TO be called ils ssmomes placed straight round
the skirt aud sometimes arranged in fcsoou5 The latter
is very elegant syo, and has the uDspeakabs sdvan
sgs Of being much expensive. zouave jackets will
be very fashionable and generally becoming They
may bo made Of the color the skirt or Of pretty
contrasting color which will look much better IL Is
very convenient style for warm weather, aud with .
handsome tucked or embroidered waist looks cool and
summory.
Otryr AT TIE s.y-r