Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-04
Paris Winter Fashions.
TVrom To Eoliat

Two distinctly opposite styles will, it is
eaid, meet with equal success this winter.
The skirts of dresses will be worn either
ornamented to excess, or--tor there Is no
medium-thoroughly simple and void of all
ornament. We can hardly realize this ex-
treme of simplicity, especially as we find
our slegsntes wearing houncOs, soutaches,
and paseementeries of all kinds. II is true
that for an indoor dress variety of orna-
ments is unnecessary, and even inconven-
lent. For "robes de ville," of course the
case is quite different One thing is certain,
handsomely trimmed dress will always
have richer appearance than one less so,
let the material be what it may. The ouly
difficulty is TO choose from the mass offered
for our selection; comprising small gauffsred
founces, ruches, braidings passemsnteries
of all kinds, buttons surrounded with lace
on fur, colored pipings, tassels pompons of
frayed silk, medallions of velvet or silk EN-.
broidered in satin-stitch, lace hounces or
insertions, very narrow gauffered frills,
bands of velvet or silks disposition, &c.
Flounces are never put to the bottom of
the skirt, and are placed together, or in rows
with spaces between, according to the fancy
OF the wesrer. Many are placed In twos or
three, and each set headed by a rush or band
of color. They are seldom pat straight round
the skirt, but in vandykes or scollops. The
fOunces are not hemmed-they are either
bound or pinked. Many dresses are trimmed
en- unique and it is expected that this style,
being becoming one, as it gives hight and
grace to the figure, will long remain in fash.
ion. The bodies Of dresses are made either
round or with two points; if the latter, the
points in front open. They are closed to the
throat or open encOeur, according to the style
of the material, or the purpose for which the
style was designed.
Alpaca is still a favorite material with the
Parisians, and seems to be gaining ground
with the English. 1t has the advantage of
falling in graceful folds, without so much
danger in cutting as exists in many other
fabrics Poplins, either English or Irish, are
much worn. Taffetas, antiques and moires
still maintain their rank. VeIvets are gem
orally trimmed with Astracan, either real or
initiated, in Thibet wool or frayed silk. 1t
is very rich and soft trimming Foulards
are much in favor, despite the winter. The
most fashionable are those with brown or
gray grounds, and colored flowers. A white
foulard with colored patterns, making a very
elegant evening dress, and has the advan-
tage over tarlatane in that it will wash.
Soutaches and cords are very much worn.
The designs in which they are made are very
rich and fantastic. The skirts are worn very
full and long behind, but rather shorter in
front than formerly.
Colored petticosts are as much in favor
for out of door-wear as ever. They are made
in wools or drougets, in plain materials, and
trimmed with wide bands of velvetor colored
merino; in cashmere, with designs printed to
initiate laces--this latter is hardly good
taste; the most elegant and expensive colored
petticoats are in black silk, quilted with
white or color in various patterns, in squares
or medallious, etc.
The Zouave vest is not superseded by the
Garibaldi, but is no longer accompanied by
the waistcoat of latute or muslin; the sea-
son requires warmer materials, such as CASH
mere in all colors, embroidered in black and
white.
The robes de chambre 'Louis XIV" are in
great favor; the front fits to the body, and
the back put in large box.plaits, which fall
from the shoulder. The corsage is open TO
the waist, and the skirt is opened from the
fastening at the waist; this style OF dress
made in velvet and trimm with Chinchilla
or Astracan, has very rich effect.
Laces of all kinds are much worm both for
dresses, bonnets, trimming, or for articles of
outdoor apparel. Black lace is much worn
in evening dress and often accompanies white
materials. The colors most in vogue DER
haps not those most worn, but az all events
the most elegant aud fashionable, are grays
in all shades, the Havana brown, peculiar
shade Of green, and ne shade of violet of
Pensive one, arising from some difficulty in
the preparation.
Ribbons of shaded velvet will be worn this
winter for bonnets: black spotted with white,
or violet with black cross. bars, seem the
faVorites at present. Artificial flowers will
be in great request for ball-dresses this win
ter; they should be mixed with lace, Aleneon,
Chantilly, English blonde, or gold and silver
lace. They are placed either in large de.
tached bouquets, or in long branches on the
skirt.
The bonnets made by our principal mil
liners are no longer raised in high point.
They are distinguished from common place
bonnets by the fact of their being rather
square at the top and very open at the sides;
they are still large, but not SO large as they
were. The top of the cap is full Of flowers,
or feathers, &C., and the sides of blonde or
lace, are very full. The crowns are worn
either loose or plain. and the curtain of
| moderate depth. Bonnets are generally
composed of two different materials-crape
and velvet for full.dress bonnets; silk and
terry velvet for those of less dress. The
most fashionable colors are claret, green,
Cspuchin, a new gray, the violet before men.