Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-08-17
FIRST EDITION.
Paris Fashions.

OBSERVATIONS BY AN AMERICAN LADY-sIoII-
1IENE ABOUT TO sUPERsEDB BLACK sTLK-THE
LAST IN wRAPs-ACT1ylTY AMONG TIE MILL
MERE, DO.
Mrs. Mary II. Wills, wife OF Morgan R. Wills,
editor Of the Norristown pa, , Herald is travel
ling with her husband in Europe, maintaining
the while an interesting correspondence with
the home paper. Her last letter was written
from Paris, where at considerable trouble she
gathered some fresh ideas of the fashions,
which will be read with interest We make
some extracts from the letter
Black silk still continues to be the favorite
fabric for costumes, although
ANEW MATERIAL CALLED sIcILLIENE
promises to be more popular for cold weather.
1t is similar in appearance and said to be SER
yiceable.
The days OF polonaise are numbered. Das-
ques are universal, are short round and but
little trimmed, very small buttons are used, and
sleeves made tight, frequently ornamented with
bow at the hand il fringe is used for trim
ming it is knotted in the silk, and is thick and
rich. Overskirts are looped high at the sides
and are 30 boufant that crinoline or u tonrnure
are unnecessary. The underskirts are barrow,
but most elaborately trimmed, with hounces,
plssees and the box pleats.
l saw come handsome travelling and street
suits Of gray drab and blue cloth, the underskirt
finished by pleat alternate with wide braid,
the oyerskirt trimmed with Il single row of tue
same military braid, and tho waist a sort of
combination of vest and half tight jacket. A
ribbon bow was placed at the back of the neck
and at the waist
For parties and evening wear delicate shades
OF blue, pink, pearl and mauve arc used The
dresses are made high IN the neck and long
sleeves, which is worn tablier overskirt and
sleeveless Jacket OF valencennes lace and muslin.
At the opera the majority OF young ladies wore
drossos exceedingly .jecollete." while matrons
heightened their charms by indulging in the
or illusion and ornamented with brooch or neat
bouquet.
Gold and silver braid will be extensively used
on dresses, cloaks and wraps. 1t is expensive
and showy.
THE NEWEST WRAPS
are simply small round capes, which only reach
to the waist, but are entirely covered with lace,
braid and fringe. The Doman ID much used all
the cloaks are very short behind, but long and
elaborate in front. The slope seems to COM
mence at the hips Most of these garments are
embroidered and finished with feather trimming,
not the stiff, ungraceful, unservceable article in
vogue with us, but soft variegated, and made
entirely OF genuine tips. 1t ia Of course proper
tlonately expensive. Passamenterie and lace
are but little used, but jet still retains its sway
At Worth's we saw velvet coat just completed,
the rolling collar Of which was entirely formed
Of beads.
Street dresses arc cut much lower in the neck
than with us this permits the wearing OF wide
daring white collar not used by US. Long scarfr
of gupure lace are fastened TO the front of the
corsage by bow, then caught on the shoulder
tied at the waist aud allowed to hang gracefully
as a sash.
You meet very few ladies who are not envel-
oped in some sort OF outside wrap suits with
out them are not considered full dress.
THE MuLIsRRs' WINDOWS
are beginning TO be gay with new styles, which
at this early date do not diff r materially from
the old ones. Those curiously contrlved struc'
lures which cost 30 much money, and are disig'
urlus to the wearer, but to which We cling so
fondly because they are imported, are unknown
hero. The neatest, jauntiest ''chapeaux are
certainly the most fashionable IN Paris. Ihs
most | havo seen are simply trimmed with
wreath OF flowers without an atom OF lace, ,rlbbor
or illusion. Flowers are not to be used fol
face trimming during tue autumn, as the brir
fits rather close, is turned up at the DacK aile
the trimming placed there. Nasturtions, wal
| flowers and berries are coming into bloom, ant
| poppies have gone to seed.
The coiffure a Ia Grecque i'd either trans
| Atlantic invention or else passe here, Tor th'
| hair is still arranged with wonderful multiple
| ity OF puffs, brads, curls, and even the corohe
| is Sorn.
GLOVES MUST STILL MATCH THE COSTUME.
and have at least three buttons but fashion do
/
| The purchase OF this very important addition q
every ladys toilette is a much more complicated
business than witt us. You first selec
| tho color from book OF kid samples. then ar
| mt assured with the same accuracy and detail II
| YOU would be for shoes. A day is appointed an
YOU 10 and try pair on and mako any sugge..
| lions and alterations ere your order ID hlled
When completed each pair is fitted on and Mad
emoiselle tells you with sparkling eyes "The
are marvellous, but Madame's hand is SO neat
The best quality OF gloves cost per dozen abou
! eighteen dollars in gold.
irving on goods is part of the Parisan code
No matter what the quality or style OF carmen
NAV be, you are invited to practically test I'll
At.
The shop-keepers learn your address and yo'
are overwhelmed with circulars persons ar
gent to the hotels with boxes OF ready-mad
clothing, samples are freely and generously CIV
en-. In some cases they endeavor to make yo
think you have ordered goods. have seen me
with goods wait for hours for the return OF
party to whom they wished to exhibit some raj
article, evidently thinking a sale would be =,
cured il they could be examined, and yea ver
in most cases they have their reward.
FELTON, Items.