The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-19

Frank LeSlis'S LGdyS Ndgdztne for April
both superb numbers, beautifully illus
trated, and we'll filed with attractive read
ing matter. From these magazines we
condense for the information of our lady
readers what Is said OF the early spring
fashions.
Though the general appearance Of a
lady's dress has changed very much since
last year, still all the predictions respect
ing fashions have not been verified. Cri-
Moline, for instance, which was to have
been entirely prescribed, has obtained a
new lease, subject, however, to some re-
etrictions.
For street wear it is to be Of very small
proportions but long dresses, with the
anaconda-like appendages called trains,
require some support, and with these the
limits Of crinoline are extended, only, how
ever, on the lower edge; the upper part
must fit the figure quite closely.
There is much variety both in the make
and style of dresses the short waists and
scant skirts adopted by many are sugges-
tive Of the days of Josephine.
Dresses are, for the most part, tightly
gored, without any plaits whatever, and
when worn short, and fitting closely over
very small hoops, the wearers, to use the
expression of a Frensh writer, resemble
perambulating sausages.
The most striking change is in the form
of skirts: they are made very much
smaller, are almost plain at front, and have
but little fullness even at the back. The
Princess form of dress, having the body
and skirt cut in one, without any seam
across at the waist, is the most in favor,
and this style is as much worn for evening
dresses as for morning; even where cein-
lures or Wristbands form part Of an eve-
ming toilet, the most stylish dresses are cut
q la PrinCeSSe.
A new style of skirt is being introduced
by some of the Partisan modistes, and, if
possible, it is little uglier than le saucis-
son. 1t consists of narrow skirt without
train, just touching the ground at the back.
The seams are only slightly gored, and the
skirt is mounted on the waist by large
plait before, behind, and on each end.
Some Of the trained skirts are gored
with the exception of the back breadth,
which is either laid in plaits or gathered.
Tight lifting coat sleeves are mostly
worn, though several new styles lave ap-
peared: one is quite narrow at the top, but
gradually becomes larger at the bottom,
and finishes in two deep points.
The sleeves, q la Juiue, hanging in long
lapels from the shoulders, or from the ell
bow, are also fashionable. The under
sleeve is generally of the same material as
the flowing sleeve. If two skirts are worn
of different colors, the tight sleeve is OF
the color Of the underskirt, and the flow
ing sleeve is like the upper skirt and cor
sage. This style Of sleeve is also used for
wraps.
Among the new floral coiffures we find
the Catalane and the Neapolitan. The
former is composed of square formed of
black velvet ribbon arranged as trellis-
work; over this, tufts of scarlet geranium
with frosted leaves, crystal drops, and
streamers, are caught in the most coquet-
tish manner. The Neapolitan consists of q
tuft of roses and fern leaves placed Just
over the forehead, while q row of the same
just above the chignon Stimulates comb.
Garlands of fine white flowers, beginning
at the tuft in front, pass over the head, and
fall like veil over the chign0n. The en-
tire coiffure glstens with crystal.
Long plaits, falling from each side Of the
chiqnOn, have in a measure taken the place
of curls. These plats are either woven in
with flowers or beads.
We re ad of another coif'ure adopted by
some few persons. Instead of plating or
curling the hair, it is allowed to fail on
each side of the chignOn as low as the
waist, being merely caught at intervals by
flowers and beads.
A very pretty material for spring wear,
and suitable for full suits, is of plain color
ed material Of the poplin order, and spotted
with tiny dots of white or yellow. If the
former, it is called pluie dagent, or shower
of silver; if dotted with yellow, it is known
as pluie dor, or shower of gold.
Gloves are worn very high on the wrist,
some being fastened with five buttons and
we hear of Partisan 6lSgantes wearing them
as high as the elbow. Another style, call
ed the Josephine, is very long, and is
slipped over the hand and arm without
buttons.
Among the early spring bonnets we
greatly admired one called "Le petit
Chaperon." 1t is almost entirely composed
of large fat crown, about an inch in
depth, wreath of flowers being placed on
the front, and carried down the strings to-
ward the chin, thus forming, as 1t were, q
cap, and proving very becoming to the
face an extremely narrow curtain, slightly
full, surmounting the chignon, finishes this
stylish bonnet, which has little or no brim.
Some are much trimmed with jet, Of which
a deep fringe falls on the hair, while q
white feather is coquettishly placed at the
side and we noticed one of bright violet
silk, thickly embroidered with star Of
black bugles and richly decorated with
let fringe, the flowers being dark violet and
black, with leaves Of the same. Another,
for deep mourning, was Of black Grape, q
silk and jet trimming coming to point on
the forehead and on each temple and at
the back two long plaits of Grape, termi-
mating with bows of the same, fell on the
shoulders. These bonnets are the newest
fashion in Paris, and promise to be in re.
quest among our fair countrywomen.
OF head-dresses for evening wear we
have seldom seen more choice and ele-
CANT selection. The most novel are those
in the style Of the First Empire. A velvet
tiara, covered with coral, represented In
let, encircles the head while from the
front, which is raised in the centre, de-
pends series of jet ornaments, termina-
ting in large balls of the same material,
and falling over the forehead nearly to the
eyebrows; long ribbons form bow under
the chignon, and sprays of jet coral hang
gracefully over the back of the neck
Somewhat after the same fashion Is an.
other of violet satin, mixed with leaves
richly embroidered with Jet, amongst
which thick jet cord Is fancifully twined
three very large acorns hanging upon tn,
forehead, the two ends Of the cord being
continued at the back considerably below
| the waist. and Terminating With acorns I,