The New York herald., 1868-03-08
THE LATEST FASHIONS.

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Since the nomadic Pavonians enjoyed their acci-
dental clam bake on the site of the tme-honored
Battery we goody Gothamtes have never been
vouchsafed more brilliant season of fetes, balls
and receptions than the one just drawing to q
close has Fashion, with all her faults and fol-
lies, ever before found SO many faithful devotees
to obey her arbitrary dictates. Every change Of
air brought some fashionable regeneration which
readily enlisted savish followers but at last the
| tickle dame in her fantastic and headlong career,
pauses for breath preparatory to an exciting dash
at the vernal opening The carnivalistc season has
run its course of brilliant nights and drowsy
days, and the present penitential season is fast
drawing the world into the holier vortex Of prayer
fasting and aims. A short respite from the pleas
urable pursuits of life is beneficial in hygienic
point of view even if it is not essentially requisite
for any other purpose. It permits us to indulge in
delightful dolce far niente, which affords an ex-
cellent opportunity to bring back some of that
healthful bloom to our cheeks, without the aid of
art, which the chill winds of winter and late hours
| had robbed US Of besides allowing us the neces-
sary time to lay aside the velvets and tinsel and
tulle that had graced many mazy waltz and to
prepare for those enchanting delights which are
promised by nsodistes and milliners upon "open-
ing day." which, by the way, is set down in fash
ions calendar for Wednesday, the 2lst inst.
| The thaw has commenced, and for the next
fortnight the streets will be in such frightful
condition from the bespattering mud and sush
| that to venture forth into the abomnably filthy
thoroughfares for one half hour will necessitate
the brushing Of clothes for one whole day. Our
odistes, too, reticent on the subject of the
| forthcoming styles as dumb man, and they hide
their supposed treasures from pryng eyes with
all the selfshneSs and carefulness with which q
miser hides his gold; but despite their watchful-
ness we enabled to present to our fair readers
some few points pertaining to the spring fash
ions which may prove interesting. In the first
| place, tight lacing is not to be discontinued,
but, on the contrary, is to be carried an extra
squeeze or two farther. Walking costumes are to
be abbreviated just little at the bottom and
scooped out very little more at the top, while
indoor toilets and ball dresses are to have their
trails perceptibly heightened Bonnets are not as
yet sufficiently small nor chignons sufficiently
large to suit the popular TASTE but it is thought
that the ne plus ultra in head gear will be attained
this summer. Cloaks and sacks are to be cut and
slashed and scalloped into every conceivable
style of righteousness; and coiffures, as general
thing, will be adorned with an extra twist here
and there, which last certain prominent but un-
feeling hairdresser, of this metropolis, who not
having the fear of the divine afflatus before his
eyes, thinks will twist some Of the ladies off their
feet. The wretch!
The full skirts of last year rapidly disappear
ing. Dresses are now made without plaits in 'front.'
the fulness being thrown back to terminate in a
long queue. Sashes Of exceedingly wide ribbon
to match the dress are tastefully arranged in q
knot behind, the ends falling low. Flowers orna-
ment the bottom Of the skirt. When lace is worn
it is no longer placed fiat, but in zigzags or fes
toons on the Dress the points of the former and the
semi-circle Of the latter being ornamented with
flowers. Although we are on the very edge of
spring, to Judge from outer appearances, the most
interesting intelligence that we could offer our
fair readers would probably be that which relates
to the style and fashion of ball and evening
dresses, of which we herewith give q description
for their consideration
| A very pretty ball dress for young lady is one
composed of white tarlatan trimmed with lilies of
| the valley, the bodice puffed and having small
wreath Of the flowers laid on to simulate corse-
let The first skirt is long and edged with nine
tiny aounces or with pufdngs; the second, looped
with wreath on each side, terminates behind in
two points, which fall over second tunic also
pointed; the tunics are edged with white satin
piping and blonde.
A very effective ball dress for young lady is q
mixture of tullc and gauze in alternate puts on
the bodice, terminated on the shoulder by o tuft
of roses. On the left is fastened sash of rose
colored ribbon, the ends of which, falling over
the front and the other over the back of tulle
skirt, are knotted the right side, raising the
jupe and revealing q skirt of gauze, edged with
trimmings Of blonde and gauze.
We have described these toilets not merely on
account of their very pretty appearance, but be-
cause their combinations give us general notion
of the style of ball dress now worn. On examina-
ton of many of the most distinguished toilets, we
find that several skirts placed over another,
that gauze and tulle are mingled, that long wide
sashes are worn and always knotted behind or on
each side. Many of these sashes have the proper.
tons Of q scarf and are Of the most bizarre pat
terms, and 50 fashionable are they that they are
worn with high bodies and even with walking
dress. In the underskirts to be worn by young
ladies with these toilets white foulard is much
used and is found most economical and elegant.
satin Jupes, covered with crepe or tulle, form o
combination at once elegant and costly. A white
satin jupc has tue skirt, ruched at the edge,
each ruche surmountcd by band Of white satin;
white satin sash knotted low on the skirt behind
slightly raises the upper jupe, forming fcstoons
Lace is used on robes Of satin or poult dc sole,
to simulate tunic. A robe of straw colored satin
thus ornamented with black lace had charming
effect.
Satin is not worn by young ladies except as a
trimming. Chambery gauzcs are very pretty
thus ornamentcd. Organdics, colored tar
lataus, and taffctas are the materials
| most adopted for juvenile evening dress.
milan necklaces cnmnnsed of manv rows