Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-05
THE FASHIONS.
THE STYLES FOR FEBRUARY.

After the fashions have been decided fol
the season, there is little change, until 6
change of season gives the signal for new
departure We have, therefore, few novel
ties to record for the present month, and
can only give a resume of styles as they are
worn, and indicate something of what may
be expected in the less wintry months that
are to come February is the month Of
grand balls and large entertainments, which
| cl, the season previous to Lent; evening
toilets occupy large share of attention,
therefore, and these we will first notice.
But first it must be remarked that there is
always more uniformity and permanency
about the styles for evening dress than any
other; they must possess certain character
istics to be evening dress. If the bodies are
not cut low, they must be open, to display
lace and ornaments; if the sleeves are not
short, they must be half short, or wide open,
for the same purpose, and in order to pro-
duce the requisite ''dressy" effect. 1t follows,
| therefore, there is only certain amount of
choice, aud this is limited again by the
repugnance of many ladies to low necked
dresses, and the physical requisite for such a
toilette f
Then it happens that nine-tenths Of the
ladies who have evening dresses made. fall
back upon the square neck, or the body
open and N-shaped, and elbow sleeves,
which can be finished with becoming ruiiles
of lace.
Few even Of the young American ladies
take kindly to waists that are low, perhaps
because they are a slender type, and are in
stinctively aware that a light drapery is be-
IN
overcome, it is sometimes n matter of diff
Guilty to arrange toilet that Is at once
youthful and becoming. The square neck
cut high on the shoulder, but low front and
back, offers one solution and if finished
with a pretty standing rutiie of real lace,
thread of Nalenciennes mot point, no young
girl should wear point, and necklace, or
velvet with pendent at the throat, may
be worn by young women whose necks are
not perfection in outline or filling up.
The cuirass jacket is also largely adopted,
even for light toilets.
For example, the white tGlle Is pulled
over pale blue Of pink silk, the pouf is out
lined by Il trail OF roses or blue grasses, stud
died with large Marguerites, and over the
bodice, or, instead of bodice, there is little
sleeveless spencer or Jacket Of silk, matching
the under part of the dres>.
1t Is rather early as yet to even indicate
anything in regard to the fashions for the
spring season. Already inquiries reach u.s.
however, from those who are disposed to
take time by the lorelock. as to the probable
fate Of polonaiseS, and VIII the narrow skirts
continue to be worn? The polonaise, We
imagine, can hardly be dispensed with at
preasant particularly in the spring and sum
mer it Is the most useful of all styles for
suits, though less desirable for winter, be-
cause it Is not warm enough Of itself and
looks patchy with Jacket Bat cape suits
will, during the coming season. be more or
less adopted, and the tchu, which has never
been entirely displaced, revived. A great
deal Of luxury Is observed in the Use of lace.
Nalenciennes lace l. used more extensively
upon under-clothing than ever before che
misses are in some Instances bordered with
it petticJats Of flannel. richly embroidered,
are trimmed with it the entire fronts Of
night dresses are composed of putting and
insertions, bordered with finest lace and
drawers are richly finished with putting, lace
insertion. and wide lace rufles
Much of this luxury IS due to the fact
that an imitation Nalenciennes Is now made
50 fine that it can hardly be detected for it
is preposterous to suppose that real lace
would be used, except for bridals, or under
extraordinary circumstances, for such pur-
nOSeS -D D.w1resf'S Mlpfhly