The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-11
SPRING FASHIONS.

more in harmony with gay spring eolors
in dresses and bonnets, than the buster
ing winds and sleety storms Of March;
and tickle, changeful unreliable, but
pleasing April, ought to have been ded-
icated to fashion. The openings this
year were not only more brilliant than
usual, but more widespread, for milliness
and dressmakers Have to compete with
the large dry goods establishments
whose displays are frequently more at
tractive than the modistes. Suits and
ready-made dresses are in such demand
now that frst.class establishments run
no risk in preparing large quantity in
advance for opening day, and the result
is a bewildering display Of magnificent
dresses, hats, sacques, head-dresses,
cloaks, etc. 1t requires very correct
eve, a very methodical mind, and great
devotion to Ia mode to carry away from
these openings anything more than a
confused idea Of costly fabrics, fashioned
into marvels of artistic taste; elaborate
trimmings, sometimes graceful, some
times grotesque, but always striking;
plastrons of velvet that looked as if
designed for the reception of heraldic
devices; feathery fringes, laces, delicate
as frostwork, that seemed, moreover,
as if they, too, might "thaw and resolve
themselves into dew" flowers fresh as
| if newly blown; flounces, pleatingS,
ruches, folds, and heterogeneous mass
of dry goods, draped into endless
varieties OF forms. But the true de-
voice OF fashion is never perplexed nor
confused by this supper-abundance; the
bookworm would be as likel y to mix up
authors as she would styles, aud he
would be farmor likely to make MIS-
take in a quotation than she would in
a trimming. In some establishments
the Openings extended over an entire
week, and every day the crowds seemed
10 grow larger and the interest to in
crease. As we said before, the display
was unusually large and more superb
than usual. and judging from the open
ings of 1871, we shonld say there is
little prospects of the advent OF these
simple styles, whose return is regularly
prophesied each season.
Costumes canneux, which have been
so popular for some time still continue
in favor but walking suits of two con-
trasting colors will, according to the
authorities, take the first rank. A very
handsome and novel material is the
summer cashmere, which is all wool,
and comes in plaids and cross-bars. 1t
brings its own trimming with it, the
selvcdges being finished as fringe, and
are ght enough in quality for summer
wear. They are a.yard and halt wide,
and can be purchased for a dollar and a
half a yard All wool serges, poll de
they're and popIin have also these
fringed edges for trimming. japanese
goods are in great demand and very
much improved in quality. The serges
and foulards come in pretty shades Of
brown and buff, and, are very soft and
flexible. Among the numerous fabrics
we may mention pongees which are of
good quality for ten shillings a yard,
and poplins of ali kinds and various
prices, from washing poplin at thirty
cents a yard to Irish poplin at two
dollars and seventy-fve cents. For the
sultry days of July and August there is
lawn linen, batste and grenadine.
Pioue will not be much worn this sum
mer, white lawn suits BEING regarded
with more favor, cooler and more easily
kept to a color. We have seen some
handsome suits, fully trimmed with
overskirt andt basque, for ten dollars.
In The dressmaking department there
is nothing absolutely new, but in the
of so many tasteful adaptations and ar
rangements OF old styles it would be I'M
gracious to carp at the absence of origi-
nalty. We have the long overskirt and
the short one, and happy compromise
of the two, which gives us long skirt
behind and a short apron front. Some
skirts are slightly draped, and others
very loufaat some flounced, and many
trimmed with fiat bands. The corsage
is he,rt-shaped or pompadour or close
to the throat. Points are sometimes
seen, but belt waists are still the rule.
Flowing sleeves are coming into favor,
and are considered indispensable for out
side garments.
Next week we will gives our readers
some account of the new style of bon
nets and hats.