The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-25
SPRING FASHIONS.
OPENING DAY IhTgR METROPOLIS.
Enormous Increase in the Price
Of Dry Goods.
Only the Most Costly Materials in
Demand,
ksss ks.s &ss


Demand,
keSs &ess &es
Every one must admit that nne day is essential
element In the success OF fashionable "opentng for
bright pleasant weather attracts OF promenaders
and sends bevies OF fashonabes futerng through the
brilliant show rooms scattered the city II ID the
surprising therefore, seeing tho importance Of this
item that modises should have selected the
liable week in the year for these exhibitions A little
earlier little later would do just we'll and lessen
the danger or disappointment considerably; but they
cling 20 the equinoctal tenaciousy il the
least change would violate the traditional proprees OF
tho profession and tho result frequently untavora
Bile "openng day, and disappointment all round. This
there has been good deal OF impatience mani
tested for the appearance OF the new styles for IN
addition to the natural curiosity TO know and see
what Fashion providing for US. the genial weather
have been favored with for time past made the
heavy winter garments and bonnes, &c. seem altogether
unsuitable and Of place. And though tho equinox
brought touch OF winter In It's toughest mood that
impression remained In full force, and every
alert novelties and all anxiety to get the Hrs
view OF tho styles and to secure tho "pick and
choice" Of the different assortments
AS might be expected the enormous increase IN the
price OF dry goods tells the millinery business, aud
prices going steadily up. The materials that enter
into the composition Of bonnets. expensive at all times
have this risen unprecedentedy and the result
is apparst in the enhanced prices that prevail Strange
to saw high prices bar to purchasers but
rather incentive; for nowadays bonnets, we'll
other articles priced In proportion their cost.
The painsst hat cannot be purchased in leading MILL
merry Establishments short OF fifteen dollars twenty
dollars while dress hats range from ty dollars to sixty
dollars, and some even 60 higher.
Everything indicates that coming win be
reckless expense Every department Of the dry goods
busness tells the story. and prepare
tons being made with reference chat recognized
fact TINS evident In the millinery and dry goods
openings and must have been apparent TO tho most
obsevau saunterer through piles Of costly goods
OF splendid bonnets-
Yesterday contrary TO all expectations, favorable
for the votaries OF fashion, the spas0oc storm OF
the day before having passed without leaving trace
save In the deeper blue Of the sky and consequently,
they out In full force, and throughout tho day
tnued their labor Of love with unabaed zeal and indus
try and the twilight found them comparing and classify
Ing the different styles preparatory to final decision
We have never seen more successful opening or one
that promised satisfactory results; for though
undecided characters vibrated pendulum like. between
two extremes, the majority jumped conclusions at
once and secured what struck their fancy Indeed yes
terday day OF business we'll Of pleasure, as
| the following establishments, which were crowded
| throughout the day, could testify
BROADWAY "A NJ. Stewart, Madame Harris, Mrs.
9 snos a
j. a. Gosson, Madame Walton, A. Hathaway, G. w. Bass
| ford, Thos. James.
| wAvERIEY PLAcE.-Mme. Benedict.
CLINTON PLACER Nine. Austen, Nine. ORGY.
EAST THIRTEENTH S1REEr.-Mme. J. Finels.
son Coley Leonard X. & r. Caller, Mrs. W. Walsh h
Miss B. a: Tierney Mrs Barton. Miss Smith, G. W.
DIVISION srRsHr.-Madame Werner, Madame Solomon,
Mrs ~ Feeiey, VIM openhym, II. openhym, J. spence's
SIXTH AvESuE-Mrs Ringgod, M. 7. Higgins, Madame
Sciover Madame Falconi Mrs. Aver Miss Shugg, Mrs.
BIsEcKEa STREET Mrs Davidson Mrs. H. L. Carpenter.
BowERr-Mrs J. w. Dempsey, MISS Hail, bliss M
Jameson.
SPRING srRwrr-Mrs Rumrill
WEST FouRTH SIREET-Mrs. j. Reid
FULTON STREET, BRooKLyS.-J. b. Armstrong.
BoNNETs.
The new spring bonnets about the very pretest
have seen, and think would DO impossible
to devise anything becoming in better TASTE
They great improvement those last season,
both grace OF outline and beauty of arrangement and
We doubt will be successful candidates for popular
favor Indeed rather expect fashionables will be
taken by this season. for the modstes have evil
IDENTIFY their calculations with that view and
think their arrangements too perfect and their plans
too well digested TO fear defeat They concentrated all
their strength this effort and the result brilliant
ly successful opening such have not for many
seasons
The materials Ia the spring and summer bonnets
GRAPE chip. silk straw and ieghorp the trimmings gen.
orally lace, flowers and ribbons. Plaid ribbons are in
favor just now; they do not occupy tho FIRST rank in
public estimation is true; but they in position OF
modest prominence, andhave their admirers some pre-
ferug quiet elegance Of the blended shades green
and blue others the and glowing beauty OF the royal
Stuart TARTAN Strictly speaking. there is no especial
color 10 fashion, but now az every other season there
favorite shades, and chief among these are palie
ophea, rose de chcno sea green, &c The FIRST color
all the rage in Paris and do not wonder; for to many
its pale, delicate beauty would appear preferable TO bril-
The new bonne.s have, generally speaking, soft
the capes shorter the front closer, and the
trimming driven from the side OF the bonnet by the ar
raneemen OF the hair clusters the forehead These
the points OF resemblance which common 10 all
establishments but the STYLE the arrangement, the
finish e porfec Of minute details and the harmony
and afnx the productions Of each modse the stamp
Of Individuality On these points individual taste at
only demands allegiance on essential matters, such
size and shape leaving her subjects free on minor details
the midst Of this enforced uniformity pleasant
and fresh q the spring itself and this pleasure we enjoy
ed yesterday II che Chapeau Madeline does not ere.
l ate Juror among our fashionable bellies can only
say, in the words q Bob Acres, sThsy what
took shem for s the oddest pretties. most puz-
rou specimen Of tho genus bonnet have ever seen
II 10 without face cap inside trimmings Of kind.
The front split In the centre, rounded and rolled back
the side crown, and In the cleft s inserted tut OF
and fern whence sprays Of blooming heather emerge
| 10 fall In wild luxuriancc over tho The cape,
which Is arranged 10 alloy free passage for the
waterfall, ia 80 peculiar that Il battles description
fringe or cut glass, gerng In the light like diamonds
| or dcwdrops, 10 carried round the capc and
brn, and adds 10 the snguariy OF this and strk
ing production Of the modistes skin. Is TO DO found
only 10 OF leading establishments and believe
the Intention is 70 keep perdu until winter and then
reproduce II in velvet and replace the blooming heath
| with stately ostrich plumes.
After tho "Chapoau Madeline" the next thing that at
| tracted our attention In A. NJ Stewards white
chip hat with transparent front and SOFT misty