New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-05-21
STYLES FOR MAY.

There has never been in May greater variety
IN the fashions than now. Many of the styles
winch were prominent during the past year are
not yet discarded, though they are gradually
yielding to the newer and more fanciful designs 81
the fashion makers, who are ever on the alert fol
something charming, gay or eccentric The pres
ent styles are nearly all attractive, The prevail
ing eolors are blue, green, lavender, gray and
cerise in different shades White is also quite a
iaYorlte, and IS much used for trimming bonnets
Wnen contrasting oolors are worn they are usually
so blended as to harmonic perfectly and have a
very pleasing effect without being showy-a re-
lined taste always discerning elegance in richness
and unobtrusiYe simplicity, rather than in display.
A novel proposal, and one somewhat startling to
the Parisian ladies, has been made in France Ii
is, that society be formed for the purpose of
putting stop to the extraYagant style of dress so
generally adopted there. One of the principal
shall pledge herself to dress with elegant sim
plicity." That it will be successful cannot be
confidently anticipated; but the hint ought to be
nsetul to the women of our country.
BoNNETs.
The styles of bonnets in the present month are
the Empire, Fanchon and Pamela or Gipsy. The
contest for popular favor is between the Fanchon
and Gipsy, This Fanehon is not, however like
that of last year, being smaller, and in some re-
speets prettier. An effort was recently made to
revive crowns and so rule it out, but the attempt
proved futile The Fanchon has MANY admirers
and their number is increasing. A fall of narrow
lace, an occasional spray of flowers, or q vine of
green leaves resting upon the hair has a far more
pretty effect than any high, stiff crown, however
aFhstleally constructed.
letter from Paris says that the bonnets re-
centy worn there were almost all made Of flowers
OF one kind or another, fastened upon tule and
ehtreiy covering the triangular fanchon which is
so much in vogue. One bonnet was entirely of
#al[hoWers, those above being yellow and
orange, while few under the rim had reddish
Unit. much pfettier bonnet was composed of
the y of the valley, the crystal dew drop falling
on he iorehead and on the hair at the back of the
mead. Another was formed of white daisies and
the dress worn was almost exclusively white re-
ieyed by narrow black stripes.
There is tendency to over trimming most of
the 6onnets this season being so formed as to re-
quire but little trimming. The bonnets are very
small and the straws are mostly in fancy braiis
that need no decoration; but an unusual number
of ornaments have been introduced such as chains
strings OF beads, buttons, canoes, buckles clasps
ana ana mixture Of jet and straw, When to these
are added lace, flowers, ribbon and @ veil we seek
m vain glimpse of the bonnet it is completely
hidden.
The gypsy is much worn, especially by quite
young iadles and Will, doubtless, remain fashion
abie. IL IS very becoming to pretty face, but a
face on which time has left decided impress, or
one that is unatTactve, is sadly out of place un-
der the dewdrops of gypsy hat.
DRESSES.
The styles for evening dress are numerous
lusIedu OF tne Unset ornaments worn through
The winter, dresses are sometimes decorated with
lowers for public occasions. This is a Europeau
style. The hodices are trimmed with fringe
made Of flowers; and in place of sashes, flowers
nave been used to loop up tulle skirts while haw-
horne branches, with flowers and Benoiton chains
ldorn the head.
A novel design for an evening dress is in two
eolors, as Of rose and white The skirt
s made of alternate breadths of the two colors,
each breadth being cut to point, so that there is
10 fullness at the top. The seams are covered
With white putting, black lace running through the
,enter, and there is a wide ruche around the bot
,om, edged with rose satin.
Morning dresses are made of fine cambria, or
1ique, in white or very light delicate colors They
are sometimes gored when made of pigue but a
very pretty morning dress is of white oambric. the
skirt tucked and sometimes embroidered. A short
Jacket, also embroidered, is worn over il. making
. neat and elegant morning robe.
suits are very much worn during the present
month. They are made Of summer poplin, goat
hair cloth or mohair in delicate shades, such ss
lavender OF pearl gray and light chimes. The skirt
IS usually partly or entirely gOFed and over it ia
worn either basque, talma or round cloak with
he coaehman's cape, as may suit the fancy of the
Tearer, But the basquine is more used in suits
han any other form OF cloak. --I
Riding habits are mada-Aial---