The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-07
CHIT CHAT ON FASHION

The beginning of the year, of course
brings with it renewed interest in fash
ions, especially the newest and most
recherche fashions for ball dresses and
reception toilettes and opera styles
Fashionables then take new start
and prepare for the pleasures of the
winter season with all the zest of de.
butants aud all the sagacity and fore.
sight of old stsgers. So it is safe to
infer that the coming season will sur
pass anything in the way of extrava-
gance that has gone before it.
We have seen some pretty light.col-
ored striped silks, gay enough for holt
day times, marked down as low as two
dollars and two dollars and half q
yard. They make up we'll trimmed
with rolls of satin and fringe, or putting
or futiug of white muslin or gauze,
edged with Valenciennes, style which
is very much affected just now, and
which makes a light, airy, and
elegant trimming, very becoming
and suitable to young ladies'
White silks, with polka dots
of every fashionable color, are offered at
the same price. They are generally
made with a profusion of tlounces,
bound with velvet the color of the dot.
TUNES still hold their place, and when
made of white muslin or gauze, and
worn over high colored silks, tones them
down and beauties them wonderfully.
The moro expensive dresses of satin, or
poult de sole, or velvet have tunics of
Chantilly or China Grape, and on even
ing dresses of tulle we see tunics of
heavy velvet or satin. This mixing up
of such opposite materials is one of the
peculiarities of the season. Velvet
dresses, or rich faille with velvet tunic,
and corsage profusely trimmed with
chantilly or passamenterie, are very
popular. Sometimes the silk and velvet
are of the same color, but diversity be-
ing thought more desirable, we have
therefore coral, Ciel blue, capuclne, vio-
let, Nile green, or any Of the fashionable
colers forming the dress, and the tunic
and corsage of black velvet, or rice
rersa. Street suits of rich Lyons vel-
vet, trimmed with fur, either chinchilla
or sable, cost one thousand dollars, and
are not considered dear at that. II
there is anything more noteworthy
than the extravagant price of dry
goods, it is the utter indifference to the
fact manifested by purchasers. Wheth-
er this proceeds from philosophic con-
tempt for money OF an unphilosophical
passion for display, is problem we
leave every one to solve for themselves.
We know, and there is no dispute about
this fact that there never was time in
the memory of that mythical individ-
ual, the "oldest inhabitant," when the
range for rich and costly fabrics was so
universal as now. Velvets are almost
as common as waterproofs, and lace
flounces at sixty dollars yard have nc
ierrors for the well-regulated mind.
Cloth suits make very handsome
street dresses, the favorits colors being
dark green, garnet, and beautiful
mulberry shade the trimmings, velvet
and fringe. The French circular cloak
made of Scotch plaid; with cape, il
much worn. 1t is shorter than the
waterproof, and does not look so much
like wrap, and its brighter colors
give it o more dressy appearance
Bournouses are still in favor, and
shawls are now more worn than at any
time since suits became the fashion.
Among the new dress materials fol
this season are satin.de-Lyons, beau
tiful mixture of corded silk and lus
trous satin, and srmure satin, which il
as effective as velvet, and much cheaper
The American poplins are very hand
some goods, but not equal to the cele.
brated Irish poplins in finish; their du-
rability has not yet been tested. Amer.
| lean silks are also in the market, and
look well, but further deponent saith
not.
Velvet boots, the color of the dress
are worn with elaborate costumes.
Dresses are cut so low in the necb
that medesty imperatively demanded q
covering of some kind; fortunately she
is net too exacting, but is propitiated
with necklaces, lockets, or crosses
which are now so universally worn.
Feather trimmings are coming iRtc
favor.
The "Roman" cloak, graceful gar
mept without sleeves, is one of the
many popular favorites.
Stockings of silk and wool, of colort
to match the dresses, are much worn.
White corded silks, trimmed with
ruby velvet and white chenille fringe
make elegant evening dresses.