The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-17

We learn from Paris, through our special
fashions correspondence, that modistss and
ministers, ladies and lsckeys, and, in short,
the whole world of fashion, are in futter OF
excitement over the visit Of the Kaiser. The
distinguished visitor has been taken every
where and has been f6ted TO his hearts con-
tent A grand fifteen hundred franc banquet
was got up for his special benefit, and tickets
OF admission to see the lions feed were issued.
The Parisians are greatly exercised over a new
book on etiquette, published by lady Of rank,
in which the requisite number Of bows in the
presence Of royalty, the proper time to cough
or sneeze, and the manner in which the knife
and fork must be handled at an imperial ban
quet, are given in painful detail. The latest
novelty in fashions is what is termed plastic
proportions" and every figure must be reduced
to this standard. The Empress wore fringe
of diamonds and rubies on her poult rsbe at
the banquet, but we hardly think that this
trimming will become popular or general in
this city. The bellies Of the ballroom and
promenade have adopted very suggestive
ornament as far as matrimonial proclivities are
concerned. Their toilets are completely COW
cred with rings Of all sorts and materials
Spteful little ferret heads scoxl on muff and
boa, and tlmid young man will find his cour-
age sorely tested in approaching a lady dressed
in the new fur SETS Necklaces of thirty rows
and trimmings of gimp leaves are also coming
into fashion. Among our own modstes there
is gratifying disposition manifested to in
suit no longer the tastes and good sense of
their customers with the extravagances and
ridiculous extremes of fashion. 1t has been
the case before, and to great extent also, that
the American purveyors of fashion buy up in
Paris the most o,are caricatures of the prevail
ing modes and bring them to New York
as genuine copies Of the toilets OF The
best society in the former city. The
term Paris fashions has been, therefore, mis-
applied in many instances, even when the
goods actually came from the capital Of
fashion. No refined French lady would wear
the unbecoming. unsuitable and ridiculous
toilets that are sometimes exhibited by our
modistes as 'sthe latest from Paris" There is a
great Improvement in this respect in the
winter styles that are now exhibited at the
principal houses. Perhaps the change may
become revolution, and American 0,odistes
and American ladies may originate and select
their own styles, irrespective of foreign dicta-
ton. 1t is, indeed, time for our leading estab-
lishments to adopt this course for the man
ner in which they have heretofore acted has
not been very complimentary to their Gus
toners. They have made dresses and cloaks
according TO some pattern, material or color,
without the slightest reference to its adapta-
bility to the wearer. Toilets were cut out and
arranged by them as if by machinery, and pre-
sented to blonde and brunette, fat and thin,
Unfortunately. This is not the custom Of
the bellies Of Paris. Fashion there means q
prevailing tone in some particulars, not .
carpenters rule and measure method Of build
ing up the edi6ce Of the motley goddess.
Each lady adapts the prevailing mode to suit
her age, complexion, form and height; and in
nearly every instance she displays originality
in the very adaptation. Our ladies have been
too long bound down by the capricss and
tyranny Of the gsndissss Ia this city ; and Il 1.
10 be hoped that they will now initiate the
example Of the fashionable Parisians in think
ing for themselves what is becoming to them
and adapting the prevailing modes to their
own particular wants. They will then compel
the modistes to present to them the true styles
OF the French capital, and will, besides, have
the qualification Of exercising q little origi-
nality in adapting those styles.