Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-10-07


The brightest and most striking colors in
velvet are used, the plumes being gene
rally black or white, according to the color
of the hat
The most distinguished novelties in
eloaks have not as yet been exposed to
the vulgar gaze. The domand is princi-
pally for shawls-not cheap kind, by
any means, but superb Cashmeres, whose
soft folds cover the cost of respectable
farm. For two years past India shawls
have hardly seen the light. lii even the
largest establishments economy was the
rule, among even the wealthiest citizens /;
and magnificent specimens of Eastern art
and skill which formerly brought thou
sand dollars, were offered for seven hun
dred, without obtaining q purchaser
This state of things is now quite changed
The highest prices are asked, and readily
obtained and we have it on the authority
of one of the most respectable merchants,
that more India shaws have been sold
within six weeks than for two years be-
fore.
Shawls, in fact, for the transition sea-
son, seem to be decidedly in favor. Those
who cannot afford the real Cashmere, con
tent themselves with an imitation, striped
in the richest colors, and us good us the
genuine for all useful intents and pur-
poses
Fine wool check shawls are among the
most popular styles, and descryedly. 1t
is very seldom that garments at low
price are found in such excellent taste.
The most elegant cloaks for the present
season are made Of fine ladies' cloth, with
the "SoA teche,n or braided trimming
They are generally laid in paits at the
back, shaped over the shoulder and arm,
but without sleeves, which are mostly CON
fined to the sack Cor Sam en- JaSqae) and
paletot shapes. y iayorite style is the
"Cansail,' which takes up gracefully up
on the arm, and is deep enough to reach
the top Of the flounces upon the dress --
These are trimmed with a rich passnen'
terie and ornaments of jet, or with a richly
braided handmade border.
"Who can afford to buy these rich
| silks ?n is Il very natural exclamation, on
seeing spread out the recent importations
of some of our largest dry goods houses.
Robes Ut Il hundred dollars each mag
nifcent mojrcS, eight dollars per yard
rich corded and figured silks at four and
five, and for what are called low priced
and medium qualities, fifteen to thirty
shlllings. Are we really prosecuting ar
expensive war; and is this the end oI
all the lectures and cyhortations to econo.
my which have been poured into the ears
Of the wives and daughters Of the Re
public
Plain colors rule in dress, as in other
goods, this season, figures only hcing ad
Initted into pattern robes, Of an origina
and special design
The Cinderella drah sort of whit,
ashes shade, steel, fawn, and dust-colol
are all in vogue, but the mark of presen
distinction attaches 10 cajy, or leather
color, black, and beautiful shade Of red
softer and deeper than "Solerno," am
higher and more striking than crimson.
Among the medium styles Of aoods
plain Irish popins hold as ever n yer,
distinguished place. The heavy "epiA
gie'aeS, or ottoman reloarS, in all III,
rich, dark shades Of color, arc also yer,
much admired, and form the handsomest
and most serviceablc walking dresses.
\ less expensive aud still more usclu
fabric, however, is found in what is eallcc
the "Aberdeen' linscy. 1t is fine, stout
and very warm wooden materials mod
eIn improvement on the old insey-woolsey
1t is imported in pIaids, and also in plat
colors and is not in the least affected b,
atmospheric Influences knee.deep in slusi
would not impair its fortunate and happ,
temperament. Its width is IL full yard
and its cost only lightweight cents, $,
that, considering its durability, it woul,
make very cheap dress
Speaking Of dress materials, the clal
plaids must not be forgotten-adies o
cultivated taste ranking these among til
choicest and most truly diSttagae of an,
articles imported for winter walking wear
The principal novelty in the construc
tion of dresses for ordinary wear is tn
fancy jacket, or vest, which is made in al
almost infinite variety They are worl
with Garibaldi shirts Of the same materia
as the dress, and are then made in til
color as the trimming a skirt and shir
OF drab merino, for example, is trimmed
with rows Of scarlet wooden braid, iv
upon the skirt, two down the front of tn
shirt. I've jacket in this case is made q
scarlet cashmere, trimmed with plaid, Gu
buttons. The vest is sometimes cut pre-
cisely like that of gentleman and orna
mented with coral, Or fiat gilt buttons.-
At other times a chemisette of black au,
white lace is worn, in which case tn
jacket deepens, the spring descending
slightly upon the hips.
High plain bodies are very much ad
mired, trimmed 10 form jacket A mar
row quilting Of ribbon or velvet is round
ed of from the front, aud carried behind
where it terminates i'll bow, and broat
sash ends of the same material as tn
dress, edged with a quilting 10 match tn,
t..,. Al