National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-04-05
New York lnslllOns.


There is nothing more noticeable il
the recent importaiions OF dry good
than the rare and delicate shades which
distinguish most Of the fabrics, !
must be confessed that these tints nr,
exceedingly attractive to the eyc-so nt
tractiyc, that ladies, when purchasing
are too apt to bc bcguiled by the bsaut,
Of the color, without giving q though
as 10 whether or no ii will be becoming
10 their peculiar complexion aud style
4 fact which should DO considered IN
the selection Of the new colors is thai
many Of tho tints which appear very
charming in the bright daylight in which
they are purchased, lose hall their bean
ty when submitted TO gasight, which .,
course renders them UNIT for evening
This is true Of the pmon or peacock
shades, winch are either green with
blush east or blue with a arcenish cast
and il may be stated as n rule that all
dark shades Of green and blue or pur.
pie and lilac lose there beauty under
artificial light, while scarlet and orange.
light greens, light brown and the vnri
Gus other light tints, such MS ten rose
and blue and ecru, grow more brilliant.
OF course the same may be said of lints
suitable for evening when submitted to
the light Of day.
As there never was time when tho
fashions were more varied than they are
At present, people have very little excuse
for dressing in n manner unbeeoming
to their particular style of form and fsa
ture yet wc every day see very stout
ladies adding to their stoutnsss by ex-
cecdingly bouifant paniers and looped.
up skirts, while slender ladies, failing to
take advantage of n style which is par.
ticularly suited to them, frequently con
tent themselves with slight loopinre or
almost straight hanging skirts.
WHILE SLAsHrD JACKETS and the
favorite tight fitting or half tight fitting
polonaises, are becoming to short
figures, the circular NANTES, capes, and
salinas should be avoided. Very deep
and elaborate trimming, consisting Of
ilounces and pufls, upon an under-skirt
makes a short, stout person appear still
shorter. 1t is not pleasant to be told
that dress fabrics have risen in price in
Europe, yet such is unfortunately the
fact r. price which must be paid for
a hands me costume hero is already so
high flat we believe any increase on
this side must have the effect of rcduc-
ing the wardrobe of many of our city
fashionables.
SILKS of the finest quality are s.. so a !
3 yard, which with making and trim
ming makes the cost of the costume about
y 70 $50, and two or three such dresses
are generally considered necessary in
what our society papers would call q
society lady's" toilette. For other
fabrics suitable for the street
or house very high prices are asked. |
Among these materials is the camel's
hair serge, which ranges from So to
=. 20 yard. We have also camel's hair
cloth for polonarses, which displays the
small amure figures and delicate soilcd |
colors' and which costs q large sum. or
course these materials drape handsomely
and purchasers are told that the cloth will
last lifetime, but'in'the various changes
which fashion renders necessary, we
doubt whether this great durability will
pay for the present cost of themateriaI
Other handsome fabrics for spring and
which include ponsee serges.
pongee foulard', serge foulards, cren-
adines of good quality and the fenlard
silks with Dolly Warden 6gures-range
from $3.50 to $500. All these materials
make costly.costumos, yet we cannot fully
'ympatbize with certain fa,hionIwriters,
who expires. great satisfaction at what
hey call!a reaction in favor of less expen-
i've fabric, for street and house dresses.
food fabrics are occasionally bought fer
moderate sum. but as n rule we doubt
he economy OF buying poor materials
which may cost little less money, but
which require rs much or more trim ]
Ming, ana which cost as much for max '
ng as the best material