The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-02
SPRING FASHIONS.
The Tickle Goddess in Her
vernal Attire.
PREPARATIONS FOB THE OPENINGS
An Endless Variety Of Styles and Materials-A
Glimpse at the Coming Modes

and given hope that the too longcentinued reign
Of winter and his satellites slush and mud Is draw
Ing to q close, the attention OF the ladies is
naturally aroused to the consideration OF the
Spring fashions. Already extensive preparations
are going on among the m0distes, and we have
been enabled to catch glimpse Of some Of the
wonders being prepared for the delectation Of the
fair ones on general opening day, the 21st INST,
although novelties are as yet few and lar be-
tween but old lavorites appear in new and more
beautiful forms.
Fashion was never less exclusive than now.
Almost every age Of history contributes its models
Tor the present styles, and from these all the best
Ideas have been selected and gracefully combined.
The epigram "As tickle as fashionn falls point
less when the subject Of polonaises costumes en-
suite is on the tapis. for they both remain as
fashionable az they have been for several seasons
past, and are ever-present proofs that when con-
yenience, grace, beauty and utility are combined
In style 1t will not soon be relinquished.
Dtsttn0ue and convenient, graceful and comfort
able, the poonaise holds its prestige in spite Of the
most vigorous efforts to displace it. 1t would hardly
seem possible that one garment could be metamor
phosed into SO many varieties Of styles; yet a
polonatse completes almost every costume. But
how widely different are they in appearancel
But we have become tired OF the name polonaise,
even II we have not Of the garment. Conse-
quently, for the sake Of novelty, 1t has been re-
christened, and Is now considered more stylish if
called ''redngote."
This name is most properly applied to long,
loose garment to be beted In at the waist; but we
ind 1t applied to almost everything in the polonaise
style, and even In some cases to garments that
1aYe no more right to it than sleeve has. One OF
the prettiest styles is known as the "Neilsonn
redingote, which has q perfectly loose double
breasted front, the BACK partially fitted and re-
tained in position by belt underneath and the
skirt gracefully draped. Another one especially
becoming to figure wanting In fulness or rondeur
is the "Watteau' redingete, which, as its name
implies, has broad Vatican plat in the back.
The front is trimmed to represent long Louis
XIV. vest. Another, aptly called the "Bouse"
redingOte, is much lower than either of the above
and consequently will be a favOrite later In the
season for washing materials.
ful varieues. One Of the prettest in the Helena"
which ID especially adapted to be worn with skirt
trimmed very high in front. The Duchess forms
the fronts open and ornamented with revers.
For early Spring wear most suits will be accom-.
panied by Connection OF some sort. The "Doman"
Is the leading style for this purpose. This name is
applied inadvertently to all garments that have
very long, flowing sleeves, whether in the sacqne
or mantle style. The newest, and decidedly The
prettiest OF the sacque dOmans is the "Athery,"
which has square sleeves reaching much below the
u
front. and is more closely fitted than any OF the
other styles. The "ROyal' dolman has Vatican
pointed sleeves. The Pan so@an L the
simplest and loosest OF the sacque variety. In the
mantle style the Eureka" is the newest and most
graceful The back is fitted In quite close bv
elastic bands at the sides. ana the shoulder pieces
which form the sleeves are square and very Deep
Although polonaises still retain their vogue both
for house and street. the costume with basque and
Overskirt yet has many adherents. One feature Is
especially noticeable in both pOlOnaises and
the iulness being massed in the back, thus rem.
dering them very bou6dnt. This effect is retained
by means Of tapes sewed underneath and tied back
over the tOurnure. An overskirt which illustrates
this speciality most fully is the stuart" which
and has a plain apron extending very far back An
especially dressy style Is the "Marianna," which,
IN addition to the one great a requirement has
Simpler in effect are the 'Jeannetten and "Lu-
cette," the latter having the eject of polonaise
In basques the vest either separate or only
simulated by the trimming is still the speciality.
rey new yss The 81 an
talie" is especially designed for those who prefer
garments longer in front than in the back.
For house wear the Gabrielle or princess" dress
Ia gradually yet surely gr0wf ng into favor. The
newest variety is known by the latter name and
has the skirt In the hack disposed In three distinct
puifs over which falls basque Of an entirely new
cut.
Children's fashions are becoming more simple
and consequently prettier. The Lau ra suit which
u Q loose blouse pol0naise worn over gored SKIRT
win recommend itself to all mothers who study
economy and propriety IN the dressing of their
little girls. For the little girl under six years Is
the ella" dress, which Is In the Gabrielle style,
with shieldshaped basques in the back falling over
q full skirt.
For boys who still wear dresses is the Louis"
suit, which has kllt-plaited skirt and blouse
waist.
Every week now will bring forth new styles and
materials. Many OF the leading mOdstes have not
as yet received their consignments from Europe,
and, commencing with Nine. Demorest's display
yesterday, expositions OF Spring styles will likely
be held at all the large establishments until the
merry month of Nav.