The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-28
TIE LADIES FASHIONS.
THE FALL AND WINTER STYLES AS
SEEN AT OUR CITY NIODIsTEs'.
The FavoFitc Materials, Shades, Trim
mings, and Costumes.
EASY SLEEVES, TIGHT SKIRTS, AND NEW
CHIaNONS.
HOW Bonnefs, Collars, Gloves, and
WraRpings are to be Worn.

HOW BOnnets, Collars, Gloves, and
WraRpinss are to be Worn.
We are now at that season of the year
when a revolution in dress is about to occur !;
when the fashion and styles that have for
months prevailed are about to be supplanted
by new ones, and when garments, suited to
the winds and frosts Of fall and winter are
! to take the place of those that have done ser.
vice In the heats of summer.
The ladies of Richmond have ever been
| noted for their superior taste displayed in
dress. Avoiding on one hand the extreme
styles that are accepted in some particularly
'" progressive" cities and not showing the
| disregard for fashionable modes that. obtain
in "sower" communities. they have gen
orally hit the happy means, and rhaye be-
come noted at home and abroad for the
elegance Of their attire, as they are for intel
lectual cultivation and personal attractions.
Most of the fashion books appear to be ed.
tied by people who suppose that everybody
| is rich, and the advice they give,
| the patterns they offer, and the
descriptions they print too often ignore the
fact that great wealth is the exception and not
the rule. There are thousands everywhere
| while not possessing large fortunes have
| the means to dress well, and to these and to
| those others who desire TO know how to eX.
pend most judiciously limited sums at their
command, we have some hints to offer de-
rived from examinations of stocks in the
hands of Richmond merchants and milliners,
and from information derived from those
whose business it is to keep we'll informed
about such matters. "
| MATERIALS. 'ag.sk.'
The winter silks are very elegant, and are
in dark shades, deep brown, navy blue,
claret, and Invisible green being among the
favortes. The fashionable shades are: Carme-
lite, reddish brown; Acsjon, mahogany
brown; seaI-skiD, dark brown; and Sylens,
a new purple, very becoming to. blondes.
There is also new shade of garnet, called
cineraire. All these are of the darkest hues.
In black silks the heavy gros-grain is un-
mistakabIy going out of favor, the preference
being for the fine, soft finish, with bright
lustre. For fall wear, striped black silks will
be in great demand, with the stripes much
more decided than heretofore.
There Is class Of goods coming under the
general head Of camels' hair, of which there
| is an endless variety. A novelty among
these is kind Of invisible plaid, curiously
underlined, one check seeming to melt into
another in all sizes-some very large, and
gradually descending into the most minute
checks and squares all in the same shadoWy
design. For the coming season invisible
plaids and checks are the most stylish for
both sexes. Old-fashioned merino will be
worn, as will also Empress cloth. Alpacas
are now as always much sought after.
| TRIMMINGS.
The fancy for jet trimmings is even greater
this season than last, and no dress pretend
ing to style can entirely dispense with them.
Both fringes aid laces are ornamented with
let in every conceivable manner. Sometimes
there are traceries Of leaves sparkling in lace,
or elegant patterns Of heavy fringe showing
delicate festoonings of jet above. The jet is
frequently united with new style of trim.
ming called "blue steel" "sone strand of the
blue and the other of jet INTERVIEWING. Black
| lace is also ornamented With blue steel. The
belt and buttons must correspond with the
trimmings of the dress.
DRESSES.
At this early season it is difficult to choose
what to wear, as what suits one day may be
| wholly unsuitable for the next, owing to the
frequent changes of the temperature. The
sleeveless Jackets now called under the name
of the cuirasse will be found very useful.
These jackets will be used all the winter. The
transition from the very 6oufant 10 simple
plainness seems likely to take place by means
of deep plaits. The back widths of many
dresses are plated all the way down, so thas
a great quantity of the material will be used,
although We dispense with the OverSkirt.
1t is whispered, although so early, that cloth
dresses will be much worn, made perfectly
| plain, with the exception of three deep plaits
down the back width. The fronts are all
cut in piece-a la princesse-a very grace
full and becoming style.
| AT this time nearly all of our ladies are
wondering what can we wear to the Fair"
We have seen most suitable style OF dress
at one of our fashionable modiste's establish
ments. 1t consisted of a steel-gray pongee,
trimmed with satin pipings ofa darker shade,
and black lace, which was orramented with
blue steel beads. The buttons were composed
of small steel beads clustered together. The
skirt was very narrow, but elaborately trim
med with fittings headed with satin pipings.
/ The oyerskirt was trimmed with the steel
beaded lace and also the satin ppings; the
| basque trimmings were arranged in front to
simulate pointed vest. Altogether it was
one of the most stylish suits exhibited here
| this season.
BAsQuES
are very much worn in all styles, some long
and some short. Waists are cut long, with
the back very narrow, and exceedingly high
on the shoulder. A good length is about
six and half inches. Two darts are used
| in tight garments, and are usually less than
an inch apart. Garments half or three
Quarters fitting, adjusted at the waist with
belt, will be much worn, being becoming
alike 10 all figures. A small waist is 70
longer considered fashionable, basques be-
1 TO ha hnT hf.tlf T.