The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-04-11
Fashions for April.
From Demorest,s Magazine.


Whatever of novelty is found in the fash
ions for this season is due to the skill and
enterprise of American designers and man
facturers, but in no sense Whatever to ge-
Mus or activity abroad. All there is of
fashion to-day in Paris is procured from
England and America-its designs mainly
from this country, its materials principally
from England.
The predominance OF English taste in
fabrics il very conspicuous in the revival of
figured, striped and chiAtZ materials of all
kinds. Cretonne stripes, "DOlly Warden"
chintzes and staring leaves, or flowers upon
striped or dotted grounds. perfectly over
Whelmlng the less pretentious spring de-
signs, and looking almost obstrEsive in the
cambrics, prints and percales, which of late
years have borne themselves so modestly.
The large chintz patterns on plain grounds
are, of course, all intended Tor Dolly Var
dens,' that Is TO say, for the polonaise, which
is called by that name. They are not suited
or intended for street wear. but they are the
rage for che home. \ Dolly Warden is
the aspiration of every young girl, and the
necessity of every married woman. The
French use black ground chintzes for DOL
~ Nardens." the English white, with light
er cOlors and more delicate tracery of leaves
and foliage. One is very good thing to
have for spring morning wear, and in the
light colors looks pretty looped with black
velvet; moreover. the light chintZeS have
the advantage of washing and wearing
beautifully, and are therefore useful for
children, and make pretty summer furni-
tire covers and curtains.
The palonaise promises to last through
this season, at least, the styles varying
almost infinitely, but each bearing gem
erai resemblance to the other, and sufficient
latitude being allowed to admit of those be-
ing worn which were made last season, with
Il little additional looping up. Nearly ali
the different designs simulate basque. or
form one, and the principal difference exists
in the basque the plain one slashed or
pointed. and cut in on the hips, being gen.
orally preferred to the full postiIlion. The
spaces at the back. created by the deep
points. are generally filled in by the full
ness OF the skirt, aided by deep hox-plait-
in4, set SO rs to form part of the basque. and
this arrangement takes the place of the
panier.
Sacks with capes, and slashed Jackets. cut
close. but not To fit the form. continue to be
worn, and the latter will probably retain a
place through the summer season in con-
junction with the double skirt. which may
find it so hard 20 relinguish. The former
may be worn somewhat as double talma,
without sleeves. but it is not adapted TO
summer materials. and in silk or thin
fabrics, will neither answer the purpose of
dress garment, nor an outside wrap. The
palonaise, therefore, the jacket, and the lace
shawl, arranged to suit individual taste,
must form the STABLE finish to summer cos
tunes. and we advise as much grace and
harm onY IN the outlines and little PXu-
beraDce of detail rs possible.
The hair-striped silks for spring suits are
very pretty, the colors being either mode or
tintS. so admirably blended as to give the
effect of neutrality. The price ranges from
81 y to 81 50 The new American silks.
in colors, are 81 30 per yard; they are quite
trium ph of pure silk manufacture and
distinguished both for beauty and dura-
bility.
Contrasting colors in trimmings prom Use
to be moe fashionable this season than the
tints, which enjoyed a brief popularity.
The difficulty in the shaded COSTUMES is
simply their cost an impracticability- The
dress itself is a work of art, which requires
study and skill at the hands of an expert
enced modi>te. In addition to this, every
detail of the toilet must harmonic with ii,
or the result Is a freak, or an incongruity
which destroys the effect. These practical
obstacles could only be surmounted at such
a cost of time, money and trouble as even
wealthy ladies hardly cared TO beStow. and
and so the stint upon tint fnreHr is grad
ually dying out, and only the idea will be
left shortly. to be revive as a novelty in
future years and generations.
To the English element in fashions we
probably owe the revival in the straw trade,
which is even more noticeable now than
last season, when it had only just COM
menced. This year everything il straw, the
trimmings well as the hats and bonnets.
but there is great want of beauty, origi-
nality and distinetiveness at design. The
shapes are too mixed. and the com binations
frequently incongruous to the last degree.
Some OF the palmer black aud white straws
are in becoming cottage shapes. and the
cottage shape predOminates in the English
split stTaws. but many of the fancy"
shapes, so-called, with their wings and fiu-
Jings and turn-up brims and curtains, are
utterly abcminabie.