North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-12-25

The cold weather we have had lately
has been the signal for the appearance Ut
thoroughly winter toicttes, so that their
form, material and style may be consider
ed rs perfectly decided on. As far as in
door dress is concerned, the materials are
much the same as those worn last month !;
but the walking costumes have Il much
more wintry aspect than presented even
few days ago. Both WOODEN aud silk reps,
serges, cloths, poplins, thick silks, satIns,
moIres and velvets are much worn.
The relous Anglais-or, us we say,
velveteen--wlll be much worn, but only
in tirst-class qualities. No material is more
suitable Tor IL short dress, and perhaps no
custom can be prett.er than Il short black
velveteen skirt over colored silk petit
coat with pleited houpce. Black velvet
paletot. with long hanging sleeves lined
with silk like the petticoat.
No one will, of course, attempt to wear
an out-Ot-door dress, either short or long.
without small crinoine. For ballroom
wear some ladies havea multiplicity
white bounced muslin petticoats, though
in most cases these are only worn to dis
gulse the very small crinoiine winch is
worn to support tn, IN. With short dress
es a perfectly round crinoline is worn,
while train skirts require long and trained
crinolines; but in all cases they are very
mich diminished in circumference, be-
ing now worn merely to support and dis
tend the skirt.
The large open sleeves will be very fash
ionable Ia rich materials, but are consid-
cred only suitable for handsome dresses
For others, the small coat sleeves. or even
the quite tight ones closed, at the waist
will be preferred. The high bodies are
made quite plain and fitting to the figure;
some few have basques, but sashes, of
which there is an endless variety. are
more in favor at the present moment
These sashes have generally a small but
ton or hook underneath, which serves to
tasten up the skirt for outdoor wear.
The long skirts are still made u very de-
cided train, and so gored ms to be nearly
it not quite, plain at the top. The front
is always quite plain, the back sometimes
put in large gathers, though this style is
hardly so suitable for yelvets, MORE, sat
ms, or poplins, as it is for thinner inateri-
ais. Some of the short skirts touch the
ground, others are little way from it.;
but no one with the least pretenslon to
good style wears them so us to show the
top of the boot.
Nantes are worn in endless variety of
forms and sizes, fitting or loose, with
tight or loose sleeves.
Bonnets are much the same size as
those lately worn, hut several new shapes
have appeared. 1t is as yet too early to
speak decidedly as to the form likely to be
preferred. The 'Fanchon' shape is the
most becoming; it has not increased in
size, but generally has fall of lace or
net scarf over the back, which is brought
round and fastened under the chin. This
is considered more suitable to the winter
season than to have the back hair quite
exposed.
There is very little variety in the form
of winter hats; they, Of course, do not re-
quire the wide brims necessary in summer.
The bronze hats are becoming common,
and our elagantes are wearing gray straw
with feathers to match, completed by a
bunch of scarlet berries and holly leaves.
The crossway bands of rouicaur are still
in great favor for trimming dresses, and
are made either in the same material or in
silk or satin. Many silk dresses are trim
med with rouleaur Of satin the same color,
the difference in material being quite suf-
ticient to produce a very good effect
Handsome fringes are also very much
worn. and the re-appearanec of hounces
will bring broad laces into fashion again.