The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-06-07
THE FASHIONS.
SUMNER STYLES.

SUMNER STYLES.
The colors exhibited in the costumes of
the season are exceedingly dainty and
fresh. A toning down of all brightness is
more than ever discernible. The different
shades of one color are undiminished in
variety; in violet, a beautiful intermingling
Of shades ranging from the deep Tyrean
royal purple to the palest rosy mauve that
frames the pansy. Notwithstanding the
backwardness of the season, the few deli
cious days We have enjoyed have brought
forth the May flowers in not only fresh cos
tunes but new bonnets. Some of the
Summer bonnets are so exquisitely fabri-
Gated that it is difficult to believe them the
work Of mortal fingers. The style of bon
nets as the style of trimmings differ greatly
this season. There is no stereotyped mode
as heretofore. Dress bonnets have a pro-
fusion of flowers, masses of exotics of as
great variety as you would present to your
friends in culling bouquet from your gar
den.
But hats have q simple bunch of cut
flowers with long stems tied together with
wisp of oats, straw, or bramble of wild
rose fastened at the side. Others have the
crown covered with beautiful masses of
violets, or of pansies, or Of heliotrope
without intermixture. The Victoria, an
exceedingly quaint yet coquettish shape,
made its debut month ago, copied from
the fashion plates Of the beginning of Vic
toria' s reign, offering an immense contrast
to the French Rabagas and sailor hat
which have rakish, half-gipsy air exceed
ingly demoralizing to comedy American
face. The Victoria has at least the appear
ance of modesty, is really Quaker-like in
its simplicity and grace, and absolutely
affords some protection to the face and
head. The brim projects rather like the
hood of phaeton and is faced with silk
black. if chosen, and piped with another
color; the sides come nearly to the ears and
are tied down Gypsy fashion; there is abun-
dance of room inside the front for the high
couture, and the crown is sufficiently high
for the comb. The trimming is of large,
fiat bows of ribbon, feathered aigretts
and petite flower or two are set against
the crown. The most coquettish face loses
its piquancy in bonnet devoid of shade,
unless peeping from beneath the lace dra-
perry or fringed canopy of parasol; broad
brimmed hats are only intended for Wat
teau shepherdeses in pastoral resorts. Nat
urally straw is the most suitable material
for the Victoria. A pretty travelling or
morning bonnet was made of gray chip
trimmed with black velvet, straw trim
DAISIES. Another snowy chip was literally
4 mass of violets deliciously perfumed,
black velvet ribbons and black lace scarf.
These styles can be worn with any CO.'S
ono needs bonnet made of turquoise silk
this is a soft twilled silk-to match a
costume in color, it is necessary always to
have beside, bonnet of straw or black
lace. Crepe is largely intermixed with
straw in bonnets, and another novelty is
the making over black frames, hats of
white guipure and ecru Yak inserting; and
over white lace frames, black and ecrn
guipure in alternate rows, frightened by
some charming bunch of wild flowers, such
as scarlet peoples, eglantine, the pale pink
of hare bells or scarlet orange, of nastur-
tium mingled with the green of geranium,
IF 70
To the delicious profusion of flowers
there is added also revived passion for
lace. Lace strings to black lace bonnets,
fastened below the chin with a flower must
be managed skillfully to be becoming;
especially must the pale. checked ones avoid
violets and green, the property of the
blonde. who also appropriates the blue for
get-me-nots and delicate corn flower for
string adorHment; but the sallow face can
borrow flush from messy pink buds, and
brilliant brunettes can employ a golden
eyed pansy, or little spray Of mignonette,
even scarlet bud, provided the color be
not too vivid. While faces past their first
youth need the softening of lace, youth
need not disdain its identifying influence.
But there are ornaments for all tastes and
all ages beside the flowers, in leaves Of
light silvered bronze, oxidized silver orna-
ments of medieval styles, arrows of silver,
jet and pearl; buckles and pins of jet, fila
gree gilt and bronze. If every lady will be
sufficiently strong minded to resist the
temptations of bonnets not suited to her
peculiar style and satisfy herself as to her
individuality in complexion and hair, she
will arrive at the secret Of French perfec-
ton in toilet details, wherein the plainest
women possessing that gift of tact and
sense of fitness makes herself at least
attractive and fascinating.
PROF. FowLRR's GREATEST WORK.
The National Publishing Company, of
Philadelphia, has just issued very i'm