The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-03-28
The "DoIIy Warden" Costume.

Inc Dolly VarQeH IoStuillo.
For the benefit of our lady readers-those
inestimable creatures of whom it has been said
that they double our sorrows and divide all of
our joys-we propose to give an editorial para
graph concerning the new and stylish costume
now sail the rage" in fashionable circles. AS
our merchants are about to spread before their
customers the latest novelties in dress, we hope
this information will not prove unacceptable,
since the aforesaid merchants are certain to
talk about "Dolly Warden" to the ladies, and it
would never do for the fair sex even so much
as to feign ignorance of the prevailing styles,
their origin, meaning, etc. In the first place.
then, this new fashion has reference to crea-
tion of Dickens fertile brain, to whom the
great novelist gave the name of dolly VAR
den." She is introduced in "Barnaby Rudge,"
and is represented as bewitching little CO.
quette-the very impersonation of good humor
and blooming beauty. Her costume is always
bright, attractive and picturesque, in unison
with her character and actions, and hence some
genius of fashion has undertaken to give q
model to the ladies both in dress and personal
attractions. Such as prove successful in imi:
tating the original ''Dolly" will inevitably tor.
iment the masculine sex, in the most innocent
and delightful manner, and render all the gay
youths most uncomfortably happy and delight
fully perplexed on all occasions. 1t is needless
to declare that the majority are apt scholars in
this respect, and that henceforth the business
of courting is to be conducted on the true
'Dolly Warden" style. How we envy those
youths yet to undergo the tortures of inde-
scribable coqtetry, which will be fashioned
after the plan described by the immortal Dick
ems; and how many confding young ladies
will thank us for the bare suggestion! So
much for the origin and meaning of the name
given to this fresh freak of tickle fashion, and
we will turn to the fashion ITSELF 1t is said
that the title of "Dolly Warden" has been CON-
ferred upon English chintzes much in vogue
this season, ard that one-balf of the American
girls are going mad with delight at the prospect
of initiating this charming damsel's Dress
Other fabrics are rushed upon the market, ,gith
this popular designation, but the appellation is
peculiar to English, French and American cal
icoes of certain description some with dark
grounds, we are told, but the majority display
the light, seasonable ground for spring wear.
Light, blue stripes with small, gay figures;
palm leaves to initiate the richness of cash.
mere; roses and leaves, vines and buds, mean
der over the most delicate shades of green,
purple and lilac grounds. The new suits. of
this material are made up in various styles, of
which the most popular and stylish is said to
be the po1onaise-whatever that Isl we suppose
the ladies understand it. From three to five
rufles are used as a trimming on the new
chintz; where these ruf1es are placed, we are
not exactly informed, and leave that to con-
lecture. The sleeves are made rather short,
and narrow ruf1es reach nearly to the elbow.
Finally, it requires handsome arm to set off
Dolly Warden sleeve, and on this point we
expect to obtain further information after the
fashion gets fully in vogue hereabouts. In
conclusion, we wish to commend the introduc-
tion of this style, for the reason that i: will
make calico dresses quite popular with the
wives and daughters; and on the score of econ
omy, husbands and fathers will fondly hope
that it may reign forever!