The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-18

IHE fAsHIoNS.-lhAt literary. scientific
social and esthetc journal, the New York
Eeening Post, discourseth of the fashions fer
May. 1t can well be an authority on this
score, hence We quote:
81 There has never been in May greater
variety in the fashions than now. Many Of
the styles which were prominent during the
past year, are not yet discarded, though they
are gradually yielding TO the newer aud fan
ciful designs of the fashion makers. who are
ever on the alert for something charming gay
or eccentric. The present styles are nearly
all attractive. The prevailing coors are
blue, green, lavender, gray and cerise in
different shades. White is also quite favor
lite, and Is much used for trimming bonne,s
When contrasting eolors are worn they are
usually SO blended as to harmonic perfectly,
and have very pleasing effect without being
showy-a refined taste always discerning ele-
gance in richness and unob,rusiye simplicity.
rather than in display.
A novel proposal, and one somewhat start
ling to the Partisan ladies, has been made in
France. It's, that society be formed for
the purpose of putting stop to the extrava-
CANT style fdress SO generally adopted there.
One Of the principal rules OF the society will
be, that each member shall pledge herself r.
be successful cannot be confidently anticipa-
ted; but the hint ought to be useful TO the
women of our own country.
The styles of bonnets in the present month
are the Empire, Fanchon and PAMELA or
Gipsey. The contest for popular favor is be-
tween the Fanchon and the Gipsey This
fanchon Is not, however, exactly like that of
last year, being smaller, and in some respects
prettler. An effort was recently made to re.
vive crowns. and SO rule it out, but the at
tempt proved futile. A letter from Paris SAYS
that the bonnets recently worn there were
almost all made of flowers Of one kind or
another, fastened upon tulle, and entirely
covering the triangular fanchon which is so
much in vogue.
There is a tendency to over-trimming, most
OF the bonnets this season being so formed as
to require but little trimming. The bonnets
are very small, and the straws are mostly in
fancy braids that need no decoration but an
unusual number of ornaments have been in
troduced, such as chains, strings of beads,
buttons, canoes, buckles. clasps, and mix.
ture OF jet and straw. When to these are ad-
ded lace, flowers, ribbon and veil. We seek
IN vain glimpse of she bonnet it is com.
pletely hidden.
The styles for evening dress are numerous
Instead OF the tinsel ornaments worn through
the winter. dresses are sometimes decorated
with flowers for public occasions. This is a
European style. The bodices are trimmed
with fringe made of flowers; and in place
OF sashes, flowers have been used to loop up
| tulle skirts, while hawthorne branches with
| flowers and Benoiton chains adorn the head
A novel design for an evening dress is in two
contrasting eolors, as of rose and white The
skirt IS made of alternate breadths of the
txvn H.. ~
SO that there is no fullness at the ton. The
seams are covered with white putting, black
lace running through the center, and there is
| wide ruche around the bottom, edged with
| rose satin.
| Morning dresses are made Of fine cambria,
or pique, in white or very light delicate col
ors. They are sometimes gored when made
OF plque, but very pretty morning dress is
Of white cambria, the skirt tucked, and some.
times embroidered. A short Jacket, also
embroidered, is worn over it, making nea.
and elegant morning robe.
| Suits are very much worn during the pre-
sent month. They are made Of summer pop
lin, goat hair cloth or mohair in delicate
shades. such as lavender or pearl-gray and
light chimes. The skirt is usually partly OF
entirely gored, and over tits worn either q
basquine, talma or round cloak with the coach
mans cape. as may suit the fancy Of the
wearer. But the basquine is more used in
suits than any other form of cloak
The hair is worn trife higher at the back
of the head than it has recently BEEN Curls
and crimps are still fashionable, and the coils
arranged in different ways are much worn.
In place of velvet bandlets, MORE and gros
grain ribbons are used, and the streamers ii
the back of the head are longer than ever.
Gold bands are also worn around the head,
| and CLEAN out from tiers Of curls.