Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-11
Weddings and Wedding Dresses
A Complete Revolution in Bonnets.
Coiors, Costumes, Materials and
Trimmings.
From Our Own Correspondent.

there is every reason to predict the most
| brilliant season ever known in this city.
Retrenchment, independence, comfort, were
the watchwords through the spring and
summer. Now, all that is changed. The
openings are over; the styles are set.
"Modes, not Manners" is the decree.
WEDDING DRESSES.
The Myriad found the watering places
dull and ''the gentlemen Indifferent to wo-
manly charms and graces," but here and
there happy face is seen, selecting mate
rial that can only be worn upon one occas-
ion. 1t is early In the season yet for mar
riages, but one trousseau-ordered for q
ceremony to take place next week-will
guide the style of many. The robes were
heavy, white satin--dead, cream white,
| the newly imported shade which will this
| winter be worn exclusively for such oc cas-
ions, in London and Paris-with overdresses
of futile and lace looped and trimmed with
roses and the rest absent orange blossom.
The corsage was cut low, but not very low
! modest yet modish.
Tha travelling dress was Of pearl gray
| silk, en- delni train, the overskirt being
made with the dress sweeping disgonally
across and moderately boufant. The lady
being slender and diStingue in figure, her
dress was made narrow. The bodice was
cut square in front with gStet chemisette
and ruff. The trimmings were fat and OF
the same material. The sleeves were open
to the elbow.
The inevitable black silk dresses was
present in the trousseau, but this time
richly trimmed with three narrow kilt
pleats attenuated with broad puffs. The
overskirts in one with the dress, was cut en-
tabIier with demi train and natural drapery.
There was fourth dress for evening wear
of pale blue silk, deliberately trimmed with
lace. This dress was made of the new
shade called "water blue," which must be
seen before just conception Of this eX-
quisite color can be formed. A fifth dress
of olive brown silk with velvet facings and
trimmings, was extremely rich in effect.
WALKING DRESSES.
Walking dress is the broad basis on
| which rests the American woman's cos
tune. There is more sense too in this,
than in most other matters of fashion.
With very little change the walking dress
suited for afternoon and evening demi
toilettes; and thus at comparatively small
expense We enjoy better show on our lead
ing streets and promenades than Is to be
seen in either London or Paris.
Everything is to be made close to the
figure, with nothing but natural drspery.
The dress, of whatever material, Will be
demi.train for house wear, with wings
and drawing strings for looping up when
worn in the streets. The trimmings will
| be pleats ar d folds. The form of the bus
| tie is changed, and in place of the straight
! projection there is long support, which
gives 8 graceful slope from the belt 10 the
foot, and leaves the sides smooth and
| clinging.
One pretty walking dress, neat and sly.
| lish, was of navy blue, fOulged with large
white polka dots. At the bottom, which
was about three and quarter yards in
circumference, were broad pleats, with q
white silk cord laid on in Grecian style
around the edges of the skirt, the overskiri
snd the open sleeve. The corsage was
tight, with a long redihgote, cut single
breasted and high in the neck, just opening
| to show the ruff and the white chemiSette
The new polonaise is called after the late
Empress of the French, who still lives in
toilets Ia mode. 1t is model of sim.
plicity, is cut square and has plain but
tons.
EVENING DRESSES.
1t is early to talk about evening dresses;
but they are making, and some have been
made. One that have senior an ultra
fashionable lady-was pale pink silk, the
most delicate and exquisite shade conceiva-
bic. The overskirt was something quite
original and novel in style, one side being
trimmed horizontally and the other perpen
dicularly, giving the idea of two half dres
ses. Eccentric as this may seem, it has
been much admired and will undoubtedly
net be the only one worn this season, for NO
longer is the old idea believed in
"Alike fantastic if too new or old"
That which once was "boldness" has be
come virtue.
A more pleasing dress now on exhibi ion
is an Empress trail of pale green silk
fIounced from waist to point, although, as q
question of taste, it might not be SO vel
liked as another, pansy trimmed dress, in
which poloDaise with steel pen trail could
be Topped through hanging sash.
| POLONAISES AND WALKING JACKETS.
1t was expected that the polonaise Of
redingote-they are not quite, but very
nearly the same-was to 60 out of fashion
But there are garments and garments; an(
this is too pretty and shapely an overdres
to be cast aside hastily. 1t suits all figures
all ages, all purses. The rich can wear il
in velvet; the poor can wear it in cheaper
| material.
The English walking jacket has already
found favor, and requires no prophet to pre-
dict its universal adoption. 1t is a wrap
easy fitting and convenient, trimmed VIII
band and cuffs of velvet or silk the same
shade as the cloth. Basques are still worn
and there is little or no change in the styles
The favorite has plain front, slopes over
the hips, and at the back has two Ions
swallow tails with bows on the ends.
FABRICS.
The newest importations include black
silks and cashmeres embroidered in silk
and jet; black for the most part, but some.
times in light colors; blues and violets be
ing used for carriage and visiting costumes
Soft WOODEN goods are largely imported.
English and French serges, cashmsres
cashmere serges, srmore cloths, drapd'ete
velour spangle, figured biarritz cloth and
satin de chine are amongst the most popu.
lar of these fabrics. The most modish Of
them ali is camel's hair With buttons OF
buds of the same material, in the same
color; the mcst bizarre is cancels hair with
diagonals of different colors, and the least
worn is camel's hair with goats hair finish
specked and busted all over, giving the ap
pearance of having walked through COZ
| ton picking. Camel's hair is to be the ia