The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-03
LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS
OUR FASHION LETTER-GENERALN NEWS
ITEMS.
New ORLEANS, JAN. %, 1865

NEW OhLEANS, JAN. 20, lCOS.
FRIEND DEMOCRAT
l think / owe an apology to my lady
friends for having so long neglected
their interests, and doffing my GAL
plne," 1 promise to do better in the
future, by giving a monthly chat on the
fashions. Some men pretend they
don't like to talk on the subject, sllrug
their shoulders, ''pooh," ''pooh," and
call that sort of thing" but there is not
one of them but twist their necks half
off looking back when neat and hand
some lady passes them. So if they
don't like it ladies, why, they needn't
read it, that's all. Hats off, gentle
men, and sit down in front.
THE FASHIONS
for February are out and present little
that is new and nothing more attrac-
tive than the styles of the proceeding
winter months. The little bonnets and
large chignons have renewed their
leases and are destined to be the head
ornaments of the fair sex, until the fic-
kle Goddess, Fashion, brings change.
The extremely fashionable bonnets are
still smaller than before, mere po,.fs of
velvet, edged with lace or some other
trimming, an aigrelle at the side, and
most generally with fall of lace at
the back. The variety in children's
and misses hats is very great, so many
shapes that it is hard to say which is
the most fashionable. We have round
crowns, fiat crowns, turbans, Polish
turbans, Turban Boulevard, and
Turban Ia Turk, all so stylish and CO.
quetish that they leave one in a bewilder-
ment of doubt as to which is the most de-
sirable, but | think the most recherctee of
all is the Siddon and it has also the adj
vantage of being something new. 1t is
round crowned hat looped up on both sides
to the center of the top, droops both front
and back, roll Of velvet for band. pi.
pings of satin to trim the sides, and an
ostrich feather, just a tip to finish and set
off the whole. -
!..e DRESSES.
Paniers are still worn but seem to be
going out of date. The back of the skirt
is still made rather full however and the
upper skirt is nearly always looped up at
the sides. Trains for evening dresses are
longer than ever, low bodice and short
sleeves. Trimmings consisting of several
small flowers, put on one above another,
Of the same material as the dress or of
some bright contrasting color seem to be
in favor and make a very fine appearance.
saw ball dress at one of our Modistes
the other day that looked really beautiful.
1t was of white silk, made with tunic,
open in front and spreading out at the
back as "court train," trimmed with
narrow ruffles and folds of satin of that
most exquisite shade of "pea" green, now
80 much admired. The dress was to be
worn with pearls and diamond jewelry.-]
Sashes are nearly always made of large
'an-shaped bows or q number of loops, and
he ends are worn much shorter. Walk.
ng suits made short and composed Of
lresses, with several capes, graduating in
'ize and edged with fringe, are spoken of
IS fashionable Spring costumes. Hoops
ire small and hardly observable, when COW
,red by this dress. l.
CHILDREN's COSTUMES.
For little boys blouse fastened at the
waist, by a bet of the same material,
NEE pants, plaid or plain colored stock
ngs, with high CATERS buttoned up the
Inside, seem the most popular. Misses
nd little girls, initiate their mothers and
big sisters SO closely that description
f the many styles of dresses would be a
uperhous, as we'll Us an endless task.
hey wear their dresses en- pauiey and
ven come out sometimes with the Grecian
end, which is to say the least, much
lore becoming to them than to their moth
RS. The styles for boys and youths cloth
,g can be seen at B. L: Washes, No. Ito
anal Street, opposite the Clay statute,
'ouave pants, loose and close pants, over
oats, and all other articles for b"ys wear,
an be had, out in the latest fashion, nd
'ell made, the prices depending upon the
Material used, Of which there is great
ariety. Mems shirts and underclothing,
i'd gloves, neck ties and nice assorted
took of furnishing goods will be found in
he same store. Mr.. Walshe has succeed
d, in the brief time since he commenced
t his present stand, in building up trade
nd making q name and reputation, of
Thich he may be justly proud Every
hing is marked in plain figures and he has
ut one price, two very excellent rules in
usiness.
STREET NOTES. 'E
Our hotels seem to be doing very fair
usiness this season and we hope will re-
Give the encouragement they deserve l
rent over to the City Hotel last evening,
0 call on friend, and found the halls and
lifting room crowded. There was con-
inued hum of voices, talking business