The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-04
Fashions for FebruAfY.

ArrER the fashions have been decided
for the season there IL little change until
q change of season gives the signal for q
new departure. We have, therefore, few
novelties to record for the present month
and can only give q resssass Of styles az
they are worn and indicate something of
what may be expected III the less Witty
months that are to come. February IL
the month of grand balls and large en-.
tertainments, which close the season
previous to Lent; evening toilets occupy
q 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 charac
teristics to be an evening dress. If the
bodices 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 produce the
requisite "dressy" effect. It follows,
therefore, that there is only a certain
amount Of choice, and this is limited
again by the repugnance of many ladies
TO low-necked dresses and the physical
requisites for such toilet.
Thus it happens that nine-tenths of the
ladies who have evening dresses made
fall back upon the square neck, or the
body open and V-shaped, and elbow
sleeves, which can be finished with be-
coming ruff1es of lace.
Few even of the young American ladies
take kindly to waists that are cut low,
perhaps because they are of slender
type, and are instinctively aware that a
light drapery is becoming to them. With
these difficulties to overcome, it is some
times a matter of difficulty to arrange a
toilet that is at once youthful and becom-
ing. The square neck, cut high ON the
shoulder, but low front and back, offers
one solution; and if finished with q pref
ty standing ruffle of real lace, thread or
Valenciennes mot point, NO young girls
should wear point, and necklace, or
velvet with pendant 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.
FIR example, white tulle is pulled over
pale blue or pink silk; the pouf is out
lined by a trail of roses or blue grasses,
studded with large Marguerites, aud over
the bodice, or instead of the bodice,
there is little sleeveless spencer or
jacket of silk, matching the under part
of the dress.
1t is rather early as yet to even indi-
cate anything in regard to the fashions
for the spring season. Already inquiries
reach us, however, from those who are
disposed to take time by the forelock, as
to the probable fate of polonaises, and
will the narrow skirts continue to be
worn? The polonaise, we imagine,
can hardly be dispensed with at
present, particularly in the spring
and summer; it is the most use
full of all styles for suits, though
less desirable for winter, because it is
not warm enoug ii of itself, and looks
patchy with jacket. But cape suits
will, during the coming season, be more
or less adopted, and the fichu, which has
never been entirely displaced, revived.
A great deal of luxury is observed in the
use of lace. Vslenciennes lace is used
more extensively upon under-clothing
than ever before; chemises are in some
instances bordered with it petticoats of
flannel, richly embroidered, are trimmed
with it; the entire fronts of night.
dresses are composed of putting and in
sertiOns, bordered with finest lace; and
drawers are richly finished with putting,
lace insertion and wide lace ruffles.
Much of this luxury is due to the fact
that an imitation Valenciennes is now
made 80 fine that it can hardly be de.
tected; for it is preposterous to suppose
that real lace would be used, except for
bridals, or under ordinary circumstances,
for such purposes.-Dem0rsst's Monthly