Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-23
WASHINGTON BELLS.
Chit-Chat About ihe Pretty Girls of
the National Capital.

the National Capital.
Washington girls are renOwnedly indie
pendent, writes a correspondent in that city
of the Cincinnati Gazette, but in nothing
more so than in their style addressing. They
promenade after shutdown these summer
evenings, minus head-cOvering-even walk
out for an ice, or soda water, without
any addition to their indoor toilets. In
the winter. they attend the opera in full
dress or walking costume. as their fancy or
necessity dictates, and what they "haye
on" is the last thing to worry them at
ball. They conform in degree to the
edicts Of fashion, but not to such a palpa-
bic extent is to destroy their indi inal-
itv. At the outset Of the season, the
all-poweTful Dame Fashion issued her
pronunc' amentO against white Gres-
ses, and tine ultraists forthwith or
dered their mOdistes 10 con-
struct costumes from dark colOred, hit
looking fabrics, differing from their
winter costumes only in material. They
desired their grenadines Sitting enough
in themselves to be made up over high
necked and lOng-sleeyed silk Innings, and
instituted general preparations 10 immediate
themselves upon the roasting altIrs Of the
inflexible eOlness. ssOur girls however,
knew that sach fOOiiShness would be SIM
pie perdition, in this semi-tropical climate,
and like sensible human beings they have
arrayed themselves in-the crisp maIdenly,
but deSpised white garments, considered 50
unstylish.
At church troops Of our pTettiest and best
dressed young ladies, still reluctant TO
! leave this fascinating city, even for SaratO-
| "a or Long Branch gayeties, sweep into
| their various pews clad in such spOtleSs,
/ cool looking suits that they uncOnsciously
| bring memories Of the snow on the SUBMITS
OF the far of SieTras. One young lady, un:-
versally accredited as being the 'best
/ dressed girl in the city, wore a suit which
was a marvellous combination Of elegance
/ aud simplicity. 1t was some CiaphanOus
material OF creamy whiteneSs, prOfusely
1 trimmed with exquisite needlewOrk. The
| rlL elabOralely embroidered, stood plated
/ high in the back OF the neck, and formed
perfectly plain, deep reverse in front. The
| oyerskirt was drawn stylishly back, and
/ fastened on one side by a wide, soft, white
/ silk sash. heavily frinsed at the ends. a
| Leghorn hat, of the Charles l. period, was
| carelessly rolled Up on one side, and
/ drooped charminely down ON the
/ other. throwing the face of the
| wearer into the sOftened shadow
l of crayOn. Around the crown
and down the back trailed vine of eXquiS-
lite. frag1ant-looking white wild roses, with
/ dark, bronzed green leaves. y fresh, pure,
/ cbGr7Ednte face peeped out from another
broad. yellow LeghOrn covered with fine,
| gossamer white MULE, in which nestled
| tiny. pale pink moss rOsebuds, and lilipu-
tian faint blue morning glOries clambered
/ toward the GOLD tints Of her hair. Her
/ dress was a translucent linen lawn, the
| founces edged with valenciennes, and the
| plaits in the waist bOriered on both sides
/ with the same lace, while full ruff Of the
soft, tlmy lace stood high around her throat
| Another Young lady, whose large dark eyes
/ deal death blows to the hearts of sts-
| cnptible Young men, was dressed in a sui,
/ of white cameTs hair, self-trimmed with
the fashionable shiTred pufs, heading
side plaIted frillS. Another looked deli
| ciOusiy dainty in a pretty, fully embrOid-
| cred white piuslin; another still, in a clear,
waxy Victoria lawn, with embroidered
| insertion, and edge to the ruffies. l felt
| like Offering the young ladies vote Of
| thanks for suggesting so much GOODNESS, and
/ affOrdinG such satisfaction TO Cn-lOOkerS,
| for nothing is more tireSOme on a hot day
than TO rest ones gaze on dark-colored,
| duSt-covered dresses, no matter how stylish
/ IL made. The jlunty sleeveless lace jacket,
| hestudded with differing jet, is great
/ f.yOTite with us, but has not been car
ried to such an excess as to suggest an
| Amazon warrior clad in arnOr. The
| skilIinc~ little side pockets, sparkling with
beads and fastened 10 the belt by jet chains,
are also in vogue, and are a great addition
| in a toilet.