The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-03
new YORK AND PARIS FASHIONS.

Wo nave very WHOLESOME, OUT ~ INC same time
somewhat annoying custom, In this country-that
OF moving and house-ceaning-which Is always I'M
deviatingiy adhered to and almost relgiously
observed at this season Of the year. and which. by
the way, is more beneficial, in hygienic point Of
view, and far more sautary In its effects than any
other popularity Of the American people. Owing to
the "topsy -turvness, Of all well regulated house
holds during the first week of May, our women, as
general rule. pay but very little attention to the
ieetng and changing fashions. 1t Is not until after
the sc0urings and renOvatiOns OF their household
effects and drawing rooms that our women,
at this season OF the year, calmly and de-
liberately yield to the irresistible fascination OF
joining with the giddy throng, who all the year
round admire the vagaries and Fay homage to the
abominations-by imitating-of that tickle monde
script termed Fashion. After the vexaions and trbu-
lations OF the 'sprlng cleaning" pass away they
surrender themselves cheerfuly to the delights and
pleasures OF ribbons Of laces OF silks and Of colOrs
until they become inextrcably mixed up in an en-
joyable bewhderment Of styles from which they find
it difficult to select what they desire or actually need
and in which delightful state Of perplexity they gen.
orally still find themselves when the season closes.
This peculiar sort OF prOcrastinaton Is noticeable
feature among American ladies' and the very seasons
now seem to have caught the same complaint.
Spring Is nearing summer rapidly, and we shall
soon find ourselves In the swelterng days or June,
but as yet we have not been vouchsafed one week OF
unbrOken pleasant weather The chances now are
that the ladies and the clerk OF the weather Will nau
gurate the summer season and the summer styles
together In q few days more at the most we antci-
pate seeing something from both that will be
superior In every respect to anything that we have
heretofore been favored with.
Many OF the old styles of ornaments are again be-
coming fashionable, among which may be men,
toned the enormous Crosses which, by the way,
are worn larger now than ever before Crosses
made Of gold and silver and steel, chased,
enamelled and inlaid-cr0sses, in fact Of every
collars, 30 fashionable at the present moment. and
which mpart at once so dressy an effect to black
toilet. These cardinal collars are made OF white
mented with stripes of Valenciennes insertion, and
embroidery used alternately; occasionally they are
What are called flower ornaments, bird ornaments
and insect ornaments are still very popular. pretty
humming birds head, with emerald and ruby plu-
mage set in dead gold, forms q charming brooch
Necklets are also composed Of BIRDS heads set In
gold, but for head dresses the birds are left unset
Shawl pins and brooches are made an enormous
size hOrses' and greyhounds' heads are much in
vogue for this style of ornament.
novel style OF necklet has been introduced
which Is certain to be success Precious stones are
now set In god and holes are made In the setting SO
that they may be sewn on either black or colored
ribbon velvet They can thus by this simple arrange
ment be made to harmOnize with any dress. Rhine
crystals, garnes and sequins are also mounted on
velvet for the same purpose and prove very effective
In the way of head dresses we may just mention
for the benefit of the ladies that the hair Is now worn
In such an elaborate style that but little scope Is left
lets have now taken the place Of wreaths and lap
pets strings OF large beads and tufts OF bright ow-
erS, studded here and there among the various ban
deaux and plaits are all that now to he seen.
The following are descriptions Of the latest toll
lets:-
Promenade Observation-Disclosures bonnet, adorned
at the front with O grand bandeet, and in the
centre is placed small bouquet OF lilac with foliage;
chgnOn formed OF waved curls, under which is fas-
tened tulle scarf which adOrns the front and falls
down the back Robe of silk; the first skirt Is adorned
with two narrow fOunces headed with three narrow
bias pieces of velvet this skirt is very Short reaching
only to the top of the boot. Short jacket and skirt
the jacket Is trimmed round with silk gal0on and
rather broad fringe, the galOon only forming the
cuffs, but the fringe is added to the epauets; the
skirt is drawn up at the back and fastened by bow
of satin ribbon, the bottom edges finished with o
galO0n and fringe.
Walking DreSs.-Round hat Of velvet, adorned
with feather trimming and sprig Of spring flowers
put in gathers behind and plain In front; the cor
sage close fitting forms jacket with long basques,
row of nat buttons being placed up the 'front.' and
the lower edge bordered with fringe velvet girde,
with two long ends, forms the waistband. Velvet
paletot fastening at the throat only, and trimmed
with silk galOOn and guipure laid on fiat.
Bal or Evening DreSS.-The novelty and elegance
Of this style Of head dress Will be at once observed,
and the general wave-like appearance OF the whole
gives the couture all that can be desred the white
rose without foliage placed at the side produces
charming effect Robe in the empire style; the cor
sage, composed OF satin Is cut very low. with Short
round waist the sleeves can scarcely be said to have
any existence; the trimming consists of blonde and
gold thread. The skirt, OF white tue, has q light
and elegant appearance; and two wreaths OF spring
flowers, finished at one side with bow and ends OF
satin ribbon, form the only decoration.