The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-07
Fashions for january.

from Madame Democrats Monthly Msgazine.l
The short walking-dress has become an ad-
mitted fact, and has taken its place among the
1institutions." We rejoice at this for several
ressons. one Of which is the healthfulness,
second, the cleanliness, aud third, the econo-
nv Of such costume for street wear. 1t also
compels distinction between the outdoor and
indoor toilette, which is conducive to both
neatness and elegance OF appearance. 1t has
been too much the habit to trail about in the
streets the one, two, or three handsome dresses,
which are all that the generality cf women
possess and this soon destroyed the beauty OF
the fabric round the bottom OF the skirt to
such an extent as to render them unit Tor
either indoor or outdoor wear.
The temptation and tendency now il to make
the short dresses too costly for their purpose.
For useful street wear, gray serge, cloth hn-
sey. wool reps, alpaca, or wool stripe, cheok,
or plaid, are altogether the most suitable, and
il is not only useless extravaganza, but out
RACES all sense Of the fitness OF things, to see
expensive silk, satin, and embroidery e1pend.,
ed on toilettes, which can never be pronounced
stdress." or fitted for anything but street wear.
The newest walking costumes are made OF
cloth. en- suite, and trimmed with black silk
cord or braid, or with silk or satin folds, or
piping stitched on. These trimmings are
sometimes put on plain, but more frequently
to form some sort Of design sheaf, coil, fan,
the best to wear under these dresses, as the
upper skirt is only simulated by the trimmed.
Short dresses made OF linsey- woolsey, tweed,
serge or waterproof cloth, are simply trimmed
with crosscut bands Of the same, piped or
edged with narrow folds Of silk OF the same
color. The buttons are large and handsome,
however, and prove sufficiently ornamental
finish.
Silk and serge costumes are sometimes made
with double skirts, the upper one being pret-
tiIy looped up over the under one, with long
straps or tabs, bound with silk, and fastened
with enamelled buttons or slides.
The simplest and most useful costumes,
or dark green with double breasted paletots,
the whole trimmed very simply with black
braid, doubled, and stitched on the upper edge.
New clan tartans in pophn and all wool are
extremely fashionable this season, and are or
ranged to form the most picturesque outdoor
and indoor toilets A short tunic dress Of
gray, or black alpaca, worn over complete
high dress of Scotch plaid is q favorite style:
Very rich fabrics are used this winter for
visiting and evening dresses. Silks are heavily
corded or embroidered, and satins and velvets
are also in great requisition. The highest
colors are in vogue in these splendld materials,
such as crimson fame color, and the deep
ssNastmtian," sometimes called capAcane.
White lace is generally used to tene down these
gorgeous tints, and ropes OF pearls, unless the
Wearer can add diamonds to the splendor OF
her toilette.
Low necks and short sleeves have always
been considered indispensable to ''full dress"
abroad, but not until this season have they
been adopted to any great extent in this coun-
try. This fashion is particularly hurtful, be-
cause it is liable to be much abused. Young
girls sacrifice to it their sense Of modesty, and
Old ladies all ideas Of propriety. A square
body cut high. or low, with a chemisette OF
handsome Lace, is becoming compromise
With fashion, especially if undersleeves OF lace
are added to rich hanging sleeves OF the ma
terial
JEwELRy.-The new designs in gold and sll-
YER filagree are very pretty. The most ad-
mired are roses Of dahlias, with jewelled hearts,
a cluster or large single flower forms the
brooch, and small blossom the earring.
VEns.-Smau wells are again fashionable.
three or more points which end in jet or silk
tassels. Many have scarfs which tie over the
chiqnon Spotted silk net is much worn; also
net sprinkled with jet and gold.
BALI, ,DREssEs.-Tarlatane dresses are fash
;onably made with three and four skirts. Tulle
dresses also. Narrow founces have been re-
viyed In tarlatane, headed with rouiea,rr Of
white or colored satin. The edges may be
honnd by the satin, or simply notched out.
SAsHEs.-Sashes have become very import
ant accessories in lady's toilette, ever since
Daletots have been worn short enough 10 rem
Oar them such conspicuous objects. Sashes
ara made of white ribbon, OF 9ros gram, OF
aatin- and Of velvet, all cut from the piece
This season they are not confined 70 a1esses'