Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-15
THE FASHIONS.
The Chaime BenOitOn-SiIk Curtis
Check HOse-BOnnetS and Roots,
THE "cHAINE BENoIToN.n

H "CHAINE BENoIToN."
1.-THE passion for whatever is fantastic
and grOtesque, which just now predomi-
mates in French society, is also exempliaed
in other ways. The novelty of the hour
is the 'chaine Benoiton, to which one OF
the demoiselles Benoiton in Sardon's
comedy had just given her name. This
chain, which is ~variously made OF
aluminium, crystal, jet, glass, gold and sill
yer, and sometimes of pearls, varies in
length from two to eight feet, and is
usually worn encircling the bonnet, the
ends falling down on either side of the
face or over the back. L have not OBJ
served any of these chains of the favorite
horseshoe pattern, but the links of one
are formed like hoFsebits, and of another
like eonvicts letters. The latest variety
Of this ornament is in the form of a ser
pent, and, being composed of exceedingly
fine gold cord, can be twisted SO as to
represent all the contortions of that rep
tile. The 'chaine Benoiton' is rapidly ad-
vaneing in favor. The daggers which
used to be worn stuck about the bonnets
and hats of the ladies, having been sup
planted by this chain, are now sheathed
in the 'chignon.'
SILK CURLS-CLOCK-HosE.
"Another novelty is the 1flet Benoiton,"
u hair net covered with small curls, not
of real hair, but a marvellous imitation in
exceedingly fine and very glossy silk.
The net is frequently dotted over with
small gold or silver stars or little gold
coins. Stockings, with clocks at the sides,
such as our great-grand-mothers wore,
beautifully embroidered in various coll
Ored silks aud gold and silver thread, are
the haute mode at the present moment,
but ere long we shall doubtless find them
displayed in the ordinary thoroughfares.
BoNNETs AND BOOTS.
"The newest device for bonnets resem-
bles the Marie Stuart cap, being similarly
depressed at the top and curled round at
the sides. A few bold beauties wear it,
but it has not yet become popular. The
gradual introduction of Hessian boots,
which the 6OttierS of the Boulevards have
made up their minds we shall all wear ere
many months have gone by, is a curious
study. The bootmakers first offered a
modified type of Hessians for boys to wear
with the picturesque Tyrolean costume. A
IA sA4NA IL AN 40 Z NACAA "A
%oiselle, jealous of the natty appearance
presented by her little brother, managed
to secure chaSseurs, coming half way up
the leg in real Polish fashion. Madame,
taking Il hint from her daughter, found
these tall boots, when made of buff-colored
leather, the very thing for seaside wear
But how was Monsieur, who had
given up Wellingtons and Butchers, to
be brought back to the Hessians of his
grandfather? One enterprising boot
maker close to the B~oulevardes modestly
placed a siugle pair, devoid, however, of
those elegant tsssels which give the boot
its finish), in his shop window, and tick
eted them "Pour Ia Chase" The bait
did not seem to take at first; but Hes
slams are now as common in shop win
dows as they will doubtless be on the as
phalte of Boulevardes when the fine
weather really sets in. Apropos des
bottles, the high-heeled shoes Of the days
anterior TO the revolution are destined to
be outstripped under the second empire,
for we now SEQ ladies' boots with heels of
gold and silver, and with tassels and ro-
settles of gold and silver thread.