The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-14
SUITS

SUITS .s#
of some kind or other are universally worn
in the street, with the addition of some
garment, picturesque and odd it must be,
to give the amount of warmth needed upon
these chilly winter days. Sometimes 1t is
a Scotch cloak or talma, composed of two
or NOR oapes sometimes q shawl arranged
as an Arab or as g. Highland scarf straight
across. sthe breast, and one end hanging
from the left shoulder. For these purposes
costly garments are not reauired-an all
wool tartan in shawl or talma suiting the
somewhat rude grace of the style much
better than q fine French cashmere. 1t is
hardly necessary to have novelties in td-
briqtte when there are so many handsome
materials that people would like to appro-
pirate if they could only afford them. Man
ufacturers are interchangeable, however, In
their efforts, and 80 we have the new
L" figured" :" velvets, the "James" cord,
and the "silver" grenadines, in addition
to our silks and poplins, and the broadcloths,
tweeds, and cassimeres we have stolen from
the resources of the men.
Some winter suits are made Of Lyons vel
vet, and undoubtedly these are the hand
soonest and more desirable than any nov
city, but their cost, and the fact that they
can only be worn occasionally and retain
their beauty, confines them to a very few
persons. With velvet suit it is necessary
to have others to save it, while complete
suit of cloth, poplin,. or winsey will last d
season, and can be made over usefully after
wards.
STREET COSTUMES.
With ladies Of the highest fashion winter
costumes are remarkable only for the
quality of material. The style is plain to
severity. The most fashionable street dress
consists of skirt, walking length, finished
with or without a tounce. A pardessus, or
pelisse, looped up at the sides with cords or
bands suspended from the waist, and
finished with cape or series OF capes.
A suit of this description may be made OF
velvet, or cloth, or winsey, or poplin, or
serge, or waterproof, and trimmed sub
stantially, in accordance with the durable
quality of the material. As rule, how
ever, fringes should not be used for heavy
goods; narrow bands of fur, thick corded
braids, and galloons, and the like, are far
better. -.ol
Aypretty idea for fur-trimmed cloth suits
consists of little chatelaine pockets trim
med with fur, which are suspended from a
strap on the left side, and serve to loop up
the skirt. The pelisse being only drawn
up on one side, it is raised higher than
when looped equally on both. a little
pocket mutf and boa, ornamented with the
head of the animal, generally accompany
this design. The toquet should be of velvet
the color Of the cloth, and also fur trimmed.
The boots should have narrow border OF
fur round the tsp. The Scotch costumes
are q feature this season Of themselves.
Some are made entirely Of clan plaid, and
trimmed with bullion fringe in the colors
of the plaid. Others are finished with
fringe and round bows of black velvet,
which loop up the sides and the cape at the
back and upon the shoulders. Plalds Tor
children should always be trimmed with
black velvet. 3" = ! : .
EVENING DRESSES. F .----.s '
= The distinction between day and eve
ming costumes, or street and evening Co.'S
tunes, was never SO somarked as now. Plaln-
ness, convenience, and usefulness are the
rules for street attire; brilliant colors and
great magnifeence the requisites for cere-
monious evening toilets. Light or striking
colors are also in vogue for all kinds OF In
door dress. Scarlet, for example, embroi-
dered with white, and white opera flannel
embroidered or braided with coral color, in
coral patterns, are among the most admired
of the pretty winter morning dresses. An
other and still newer design consists Of q
petticoat of violet merino trimmed with
box-plating put ON fiat, and completed oy
an oYerdress of merino, striped IN violet
and white, cut as an apron in front, but
off into train behind, ana
trimmed with cuffs, reuerS at the throat,
and an immense bow of violet velvet-the
latter forming sort of panier addition to
the back of the skirt. This last design Is
new and very stylish. 1t may be made IN IN
any, color, or combination of tao colors, II
preferred. Very rich silks or satins for
married ladies, and white tulle, trimmed
with satin and trailing flowers and sea-
grasses, constitute the most distinguished
toilets for evening wear. An evening dress
of white tulle is made with three skirts,
and e1quisitely trimmed with white satin.
daisies, and trailing grasses. Another Il