The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-04

SPRING PARAGRAPHS FOR THE LADIES
| WHAT WILL BE WORK AND WHAT WILL NOT.
The continuous warm weather, suggestive
of approaching spring, will render few
hints about the fashions acceptable to our
lady readers. The remarks which follow
are on the authority of Jennie June, whose
reputation as q fashion reporter extends
across the continent
For indoor dresses, prints, percales, and
fine striped cambrics, are always safe to
buy and wear. They are generally made
up now without lining, and need but very
little fitting, the dress consisting Of skirt
and sac, or skirt and long basque, or a sort
of blouse, which belts in, looks neatly
sonie somewhat eWasst.-. more dressy than the old-fash-
ioned tight waist d I'd straight full skirt,
and is vet free and perfectly convenier,
for work. Sometimes the ovcrdress is lined
to the waist, but usually close-ftting body
of cotton cloth, high or low, is worn UNDER
meath.
These simple costumes may be made
quite plain, or they may be trimmed with
ruffles and narrow Hounces to look very
pretty for country afternoon wear. The
skirt, instead of being gored, may be made
very narrow at the top, and finished with a
deep tounce, and ruffle added to the
basque or sacque. This, with belt to
which sash, bow, and ends, are attached
is cool and comfortable, and not ungrace-
| full.
The open bodies will undoubtedly be worn
| throughout the summer, and afford pretty
and easy method of making up muslins,
foulards, barege, and other thin materials.
Make the bodies without lining, open
them to the waist, edge them with rutfte,
and the rutfle with lace, close them just
above the line of the bust, and wear the
black velvet ribbon around the neck with
q cross, pendant, or locket, attached. The
sleeves may be pufed slightly Oh a plain
lining, and ruffied below the elbow. The
skirt demi-trained und include u tiounce six
or eight inches deep of course, belt with
sash bow will be added, rutlied upon the
ends only.
This very simple outline may be varied
or elaborated to suit individual taste.
Sleeves may be lightly pufed to the wrist
or left entirely plain; bodies may be cut
square or heart-shaped, OF made high and
plain, and trimmed to simulate these de-
signs. Skirts may be trimmed with nu-
merous narrow founces, and have an over
skirt added, rufled and looped up with
bands and bows; but these require the
skill Of an artist, while the palmer style
can he copied by any clever seamstress and
housewife.
There is no change at present in the cut
or method of arranging skirts. They are
still cored front and sides, and gathered in
full at the back the little fullncss at the
sides is laid OIL tat single pleats. Two
straight breadths are left for the back, un-
less the material is very narrow, and then
three are required.
Narrow founces upon walking-dresses are
spaced between, and the space occupied
with bands of velvet, or with q double quill
ling of the material, or with quilting
bound with SOME contrasting color, in Blk
ribbon or velvet. With these skirts q polo
qaise, forming panier at the back, and an
apron in front, the bodies trimmed also to
simulate pointed cape or large collar, Is
worn, and completes II very neat and con.
yenient suit. The polonaise is trimmed
with O rEffle and a heading to match the
skirt.
This style is q very good one for alpaca
suits or for any of the light woollen mate
rials used for early spring wear -..r,,
Black velvet, which was introduced last
season. in conjunction, with unbleached
iinen, figured and white Swiss muslin
dresses, wiitbe more fashionable than they
were. twill be used for trimming straw
hats in conjunction with roses, ,mixed flow,
ers, and grass, and may be usefuliy
mounted in round or square bows, go TINT
it can be removed at will from one bodice
suit or jacket to another.
Single needlework bands, ruffed on, are
the newest aud prettiest trimming for white
pique. Guipure insertions END lace ar'
used upon linen.