Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-11-30
THE WORLD Or STYLE.
FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER.
How Many Antiquities tt Takes 10
Mske Aodern Eash,,~-Shsette
sosssmes-H Holiday Preparatt,-
Iviiets de Lude-Ihe CoitFa re- he


Sosssm e. Holiday Preparatt,-
ISiiets oe Lude-Ihe Coifrare. Ete.
lFGshfon CorrSsy or6erce Of Tls Ererino snar.l
NEW YORK, November -, ISs2.
II Mr.. RuSKin has any regard for HIS own
peace OF mind ne viii never come TO America
such ignorance OF law and order, such reckless
GisTeeard OF systen and economy as he
would witness in dress and expenditures and
above all the wicked waste OF Rbuni ant re-
sources, would lead tim 20 mathematics us al.
ara exclude Us forever, from any claim upon
his - mIathy, and even upon his humanity
Ihis thought Is spropcs TO q question asked the
other day by young lady ss TO what Wa the
proper "Cuttit" for tie year. From a central
boa at the Academy of NJ usic few nights 81
toT~sTds, toOk q complete survey OF The ruII
dTess psTi OF the audience, in order TO assure
myself that had replied by the card. and was
almost a. much Disguised as Suskin m ght have
been al the result OF my observations.
1nconKTuous ana chaotic are the only terms
that WILL apply 10 the mixture OF styles and col
ors displayed upon ladies, cid and young, who
principally compose the gay assemblsge. In
the same costume Marie Antoinette, Josephine.
Eugene, and the Princess Alexandra or Queen
Of Scots hOb-Dob each other, or rap each other
as II they bad met At spiritualstic sceasce; and
TO these nondescript toiletoes added purely
American ideas OF trimming and ornament
bows Of ribbon, bite Of lace. flowers, feathers,
and jewelry-commenciDg with massive Eeyp-
elaine OF the feudal lady.
Fashion has certainly become demoraised,
and nothing but going back to primitive
~i s.se An %s had O sss . .se,a
leaders, any woman whose position, character,
and beauty would give them authority they
utter absence OF ornament. To 60 to the other
extreme and affect severity, TO get nd of the
vulgarity OF the cheap and dear overdreetng,
which have destroyed all order and neutr al ned
N rioip alif
| they are always looking for Q new design, they
will pay tl0 more for q bonnet that has not
ginal? Drop all modern pulled and patchy de-
| signs, which are neither new nor true and alike
| ss two defective peas, and insist upon q dress
| which expresses chsrsct ter, and preserves unity
1t AZ difficult to do this. 4 know 1t is easier TO
accept the senseless forms of others than 70 work
out ideas for oneself; but it is not question of
| what lie easiest, but what il best The mass Of
| women are obliged to accept what is made for
! them. Women OF means can afford TO crafty
their taste, and in doing so should give the world
the benefit Of their experience and their cul-
| ture. What they desire the artzsn will furnish.
| and in time the finer and truer method would
| penetrate the lower strata, and We shall have
natural and enduring forms, distinct with that
| chiefcst beauty, fitness. There is no objection
to a dress which represents a distinct era, pro-
vided il is suitable and becoming, but il ali ouid
to the type which made it distinctive, and which
has brought il down to US.
| What a useful contribution We shall make to
| the dress of the future?
HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS.
But 1 must stop sermonizing and make Q
l passing mention Of some Of the plans and as
poets of our winter life. Foremost among there
| gre the holidays par excellence, which commence
4 with Thanksgiving and end with the second day
Of the new year. Thanksgiving this year re-
| Boston, and therefore New Eng land, over which
territory half the home steads OF business men of
New York are scattered, and where annually
gether and garner up their different and various
| experiences. These reunions were not probably
| leeeened In number, but their fulness OF enjoy
the recent Judgment. fatality, or accidsntai ciI-
| cumstance, whichever way we look at IL. The
| holidays proper, which include Christmas and
New Yesrs day. viii probably Not not s %. 50
| who keep Thanksgiving conscienu0usly, are
| not apt to care 50 much for Christmas.
In fact, Christmas Is more festival for the
| children than for grown people; the ways and
| means for satisfying modern youthful desires
| and anticipations sb-orb.ng adult energies and
preventing any possibility Of enjoyment except
| such as may be accepted in q strictly vicarious
sepse. SLOpkeepers, moreover, are deter mined
| that no stimulus shall be for gotten which will
| serve to whip up juvenile enthusiasm or awaken
in miniature Is represented 1t the toy shops, and
| children above the age OF i've have nothing to
learn If they have been ordinarily well sspplied
There would be less that Is Objectionable In
this profusiOn If ii did not, Like dress and house
furnishing, and modern work Of oil kinds, be-
come mere Iick, cham, device, On effort
The cost Of the Aimsy toy houses, toy people
toy dressee and toy furnishings is enormous for
example, e for Q two-inch parasol, Sl2S Tor 9
complete trousseau, SIS for three-stor bS6y
house, and $50 tor furnishing 1t with articles
which would not include bed linen ana table
These agures would he les, .lsrm,n. .,
they were paid once for all; IL thu
luxurious outfits and establishments we're not
ct most : month, Of all the brilliant show
there are only few bits of wood, . little gild
ing, some painted paper. and threads Of laes re
af sh hsS copFss dsus. ea
| gilded gingerbread, but this certainly IL not
true OF eli children. The majority, I think
palmer things that can be put to real use. In
| ported fancy ARTICLES from Vienna, Paris, Ber-
lin, and other entrepot for such articles are
making their appearance in great force. Leath-
er work still retains its vogue, and the belt
with chstelaine attachments which have be-
come 20 popular, present many varieties su.
pstbiy mounted TOR gfts, Sealskin Is another
those who cannot achieve q sealskin jacket
content themselves with q sealskin portemon-
naie or reticule, richly mounted and held by
| Oxydized silver is Q new rage, and displays
itself not only on buttons, but in the mo uniting
4 OF scent bottles, and many fancy articles for
/ personal and toilet use. IL IL also employed for
/ Ice cream sets and other table belongings, which
are somewhat exceptional, and are classed
under the headingo of wedding or holiday gifts.
l The holiday sty les in jewelry follow the fashion
l OF the moment, and consist mainly Of pendants,
crosses, lockets of new design, engagement
| rings, guard ring, glove fasteners, handkerchief
holders, scent bottles, and fancy articles gener-
ally. The "set" OF jewelry consisting OF ear.
| rings aud breaetptns u now out Of date; but the
pendant lives, though the brooch dies and the
| hopeless clasps and necklaces and ewelled orns-
ments for tho hair make the ole. fsshioned set in
which one at least felt respectable u not fash
ionable something to be regretted.
A change ts imminent Of which loyers viii
desire to besinformed; solitaire diamonds are no
longer considered suitable for engagement
rings. Large nne sapphlres which signify faith
| fulnese have taken their place, or form the
central figure Of design which makes diamonds
the outvorks and the sapphire The centre Vi Ct
/ traction.
i DRkee1o OF cBHnMoHY.
Some one, not Worth, for his strength lie In
| pannieED and drapery, has made Q discovery
~ Josephine, hortense, and other lovely women
| OF the nrst empire. IL this dreo viii I'm time
| lead Us to the charming simplicity that immed.-
lately preceded IL, We need not marnar.
We arc told Of exquisite beauties simplv In
l narrow dresses Of Indian muAlln, some N
l bf0t0eYe0, some plain. with Low r,und.1 -.