The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-02
PARIS FASHIONS FOR FEBRU-
AIRY.

contrast at present existing between the
toilets for ball and visiting, and those
for at nome dress. The latter are dis
tinguished by their simplicity, plain
shades, thick materials and little trim
ming; while, for full dress, the thinnest
and most gauzy materials-skirt upon
skirt-looking truly fairy-like. Among
the gauZes most in fashion, we may
mention the chambery. 10 Is made III
patterns of wide stripes of pink, green,
blue, &C., on white ground, or Win
narrow satin stripes. Also the cham-
berry satin gauZe, brilliant material,
with satin bands OF medium width,
edged with black. The gauze is made
in all colors. Then there is the mar
ouise gauze, transparent rs vapor,
Others with very narrow stripes across,
upon white ground spotted over with
patterns in colors.
For toilets de pilie there are two mate
rails that may be noticed as in favor
the nigeuse, entirely of wool, dotted all
over with small irregular spots, which,
when Of white, remind one of snow
storm; but the dots are made in all
colors, although the ground is always
black. The other material is a thick
poplin, dotted with silver and with
small patterns. This is also made in a
variety of shades, and is one of the pref
test novelties of the season. We were
told that gold, silver, &C., would sup
plant flowers as ornaments for ball
dresses; but this is certainly not the
case. Many evening dresses are made
of two materials-the under skirt of
tulle bouillone; the upper Of satin, end
ing in points, and cut up at each side;
the body being opened also under each
arm, and just laced together with a
cord.
Notwithstanding the Inconvenience of
| the long trains when dancing, no ball
dress is made without one, though the
front Of the skirt must be sufficiently
short to leave the feet at liberty. Vel
veteen is more and more worn, not
merely for an entire toilet, but also for
an at home dress. When made with a
veste, and trimmed with fur (Chinchilla
Is perhaps the favorite), it has a very
distingue appearance. 1t is used also to
form part Of the toilet. For instance. a
skirt of black taffetas, draped over a
skirt of violet or brown velveteen, and q
small paletot of the same. This cos
tune, of course, is only fit for driving;
not for visiting. Cluny lace is still
much worn as a trimming for taffetas;
for satin point d'Alencon, or some other
richer lace, must be used We may Just
mention, before commencing our de-
scription of dresses, that the reign of
corslets decidedly continues; they are
made in such variety and worn with
ball as we'll as soiree dress.
A toilet Of white tulle; upon the skirt
five bouillOns, separated by light tufts
of hedge roses, fastened one to the other
by chains of pearls. Tunic of tulle,
worked with pearls, and caught up al
the side, by large branch of hedge
the waist. Low body with drapery: in
the front and on the shoulders tuile OF
roses, fastened with three rows of pearls,
which hang over the berthe. A robe of
white gauze, with two skirts. AT the
bottom of the under one is a flOunce,
upon which there are five narrow bases
of blue satin, dotted with gold stars.
The upper skirt is draped in six pieces
by branches OF my es0tis, with gold
hearts, which are carried up to the
waist, gradually decreasing in size. A
pink satin skirt, very much gored, with
II long train.
At the bottom of the skirt a deep
fiOunce of black ChantilIy and above
that u guipure formed of black beads.
The body is covered 7 Esparnole, with
black lace, and point de Venice in pearl
beads. A third toilet consisted of a
light blue grOs grain, trimmed with very
rich Cluny lace, placed en- tablier. The
same lace is placed as stOmacher, car
ried across the shoulders, forming epau
lets and a berthe at the back. The body
painted, both back and front, with bow
of blue satin and strings of pearls at the
side. The skirt quite plain, very much
gored, with long tram. A dress of
violet velvet, opened in front over satin
of the same color, with silver buttons
down the centre.
The velvet skirt has round the bottom
a narrow band of gray feathers. The
body is very open, over waistcoat of
satin, and is trimmed to match the
skirt. A black velvet robe, opened over
one of light blue satin, and trimmed
round, the bottom with plsse of blue
satin. Rows of wide black lace are
placed round the bottom of the velvet
skirt. the blue forming a transparency;
and a fiounce falling over the blue pIisse.
A vest or a waistcoat of satin. The
sleeves very open, q la Juive;. and un-
derneath are tight sleeves of satin.
| lho MaTle otuarC, 'MOnteSpan, ;"
La Valliere," "Espagnole," Pamela
and "Puchesseo bonnets have been des-
cribed from the time they were first
worn. We still find the same models at
our principal reunions of elegant wo-
men, care of course being taken that the
colorof the bonnet should either match
or contrast well with the rest of the
tOilet.-Dress bonnets are made of pom
ceau, blue or Regina" velvet, trimmed
| with lace and gold and some capotes of
white satin embroidered in gold, with
bouillon and fall of lace over the chig4
| non. 49, Li.h
The couture grecque is still in favor,
either in beads, canoes, or gold cord;
but flowers mixed with gold leaves and
bandalettes of gold cord form an elegant
couture, and may be arranged to suit
any style.-Le Toilet.
| STEAMBOAT DISASTERS. The preva-
lence of steamboat disasters on the
Western waters is alarming enough to
stop all water travel in that region.
Since the first of December last. the
number of steamers blown up, burned
or sunk, is not less than forty-four.
L 4, e l.