The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-02
New York Fashions.
SPRING WRAPS,

SPRING WRAPS.
The first article of spring attire TO be
put on when warmer days come is n wrap
of lighter quality than the heavy winter
cloak. The first importations of these
garments are mantles, fichus, dolmans,
round capes, and sacques of drap d'ete,
cashmere, and Sicilienne, trimmed with
silk braid, beaded galloon, lace and
fringe. There are fewer sacques than
usual, and these are of the half-ftting
French shape already noted, with long
fronts and short back. Nantes take
various shapes, and are not much
trimmed, being merely bordered.
FICHUs.
The fichus are jaunty wraps, and when
Tapped in front and fastened over the
tournure have the effect of a sleeveless
basque. Some have deep peplum sides,
and others would almost serve rs tab
liers. There are also sleeveless sacques,
trimmed to have the appearance of a
tichu.
CAPEs AND DoLNIANs.
Round capes are simple talmas, and fit
the shoulders closely. These are easily
made, and require very little material.
They came into favor late last summer,
and will doubtless be very popular this
year. Fringe cut in bits, jet galloon,
lace, and pinked ruches of gros grain are
their trimmings. Dolmans are not
changed in shape; hence, lady who
has one left over from last fall is supplied
with spring wrap. Odd little pockets
of shirred silk, shaped like bags, cornu-
copias, or old-fashioned reticules, are
placed on the sides of sacques, tichus,
and polonaises.
POLoNAysEs.
Black cashmere polonaises are again
imported, rs they are found to be useful
garments for the intermediate season.
They are cut to have the effect of a
cllirass and tablier; they have the long
Marguerite or Gabrielle back are smooth
as cuirass over the hips, and are trimmed
there to outline basque. The fronts
are closed by trimming, and are very
long; the sides curve upward, and sash
like ends are draped on the tournure.
The trimmings used are those named for
cashmere nantes. These polonaises,
like all tabliers and over-skirts, are elab-
orately trimmed down the front.
ITEMS ABOUT NEW SUITS.
An inspection of several boxes of
| French dresses proves that it is in small
details alone that new dresses are made
! TO differ from those now worn. In the
first place, new basques are very much
trimmed. A Pompadour square of
shirred silk trims the breast and back,
and this square is edged with fringe or
with knife-pleating Other basques
have knife pleats laid down their entire
front in vest shape; sometimes this is
repeated in the back, while still others
have merely four or six larger pleats.
Edges of basques are cut in long squares,
and piped or fringed. Sleeves are
trimmed their whole length with shirrs
and an elaborate arrangement of these
trimmings forms the large cuff.
LUsTRoUs GOODS.
Damask- figured goods are also used
for basques and tabliers over plain skirts.
Many new lustrous goods not in market
here are shown in these imported cos
tunes. They are as soft and plant as
the dull woolens, but have n smooth lus-
trous surface that does not catch dust.
Stripes, checks, blocks, and the mate
lasse figures are used in these goods.
Gray and beige browns are almost the
only colors represented. Scarcely any
suits are shown that are made of but one
material; they invariably have a plain
foundation combined with plaids, stripes
or figures.
ISTPORTED BATISTE SUITS.
New ecru and gray batiste suits have
basques and aprons OF checker-board
blocks, with plain skirts and sleeves.
The shirring on basque, sleeves, and
down the tablier front, appears i'll all
these. Other batiste basques and aprons
are covered entirely with Hamburg open
embroidery, and are worn above blue or
brown silk dresses Plain batiste is
used for knife-pleating both as flounces
and on the basques, also as Innings for
openworked batistes.
TWEED AND ALPACA SUITS.
Pretty and inexpensive suits for early
spring are being made of the gray tweeds
that sell for twenty-five cents yard.
The over-skirt is of the empress shape,
trimmed with many rows of machine
stitching and with another shade of gray,
or perhaps plaid or stripes. The basque
has similar trimming down the front and
back. The skirt may be either black or
gray. Alpaca and fine black mohairs are
made up in the same style, and finished
with very fine knife-pleatings. -Harpers'
Bdzdr.
D,.s. I'll, -. L..