, 1876-04-02

5pkciat Correspondence Of Thu Chicago Tribune.
! New YoBx. March N.-In visiting the haunt.
! Of fashion, it il hsrd to believe that any de-
preston in business has ever existed, for tnere
I are certainly no signs OF it here. Never have
] cur Stores displayed larger variety OF elegan
! fabrics than at present. Especially ia this the
case in our dry-goods emporiums. Recent i'm,
portations OF silk include the richest fabrfcE
| ever exhibited. One conspicuous style, the Ar.
| mure brocade, presents q twilled ground d
creamy white, checked of in large blocks Of del.
| icatd pink. This figure is given alternately in
| pink and cream-white, cue overlying the other
A palm-leaf is the prevailing design in this Ar
mure broc2de, which dealers say will bear sway
| the highest honors among Centennial fabrics.
Exquisite silks, showing soft, twilled grounds Of
aeai-brovn, canary, pearl. and salmon shades,
have designs Of the most delicate varieties upon
the surface. The favorita patterns axe dainty
hnds and roses with leava1. These brocsdes ara
elegant and costly.
TIGHTER TRAN EyEB-
In every stylish spring toilette the draperiea
are tighter If possible, than the winter atfles.
the straight back breadth allows fer much full
ness at the back and makes room for the hustle
our bellies still deem Indispensable. although it
ia repudiated By our sisters over the sea. To
produce the fan-llke shape Of q skirt, pleated
houuce is added at suitable depth abore the
hem, and the abrupt flare, considered go grace
fui, is obtained BY running elastic ribbons
through double castings.
The II Princesse" dress il now prevailing
fashion and is sure to remain in vogue through
out the year. 1t is seen in every variety of ma
terial, from the thinnest gAuze to heavy silks and
velyets. In its most sewers forms the " Gabrielle
or Psincesse is the most queenIy Of aIl Styles
and eminently adapted to set OF to great sdyan-
tage naturally fne figure
Flounces still hold the popular fancy. and ara
seen on both inexpensive fabrics aud costly,
heavy silks. Some novelties in dounces are Of
striped aud reppad velvet, and are used to trim
black silk skirts They are generally laid in
p1eats, much care being taken to present the
stripes With uniformity. These velvet ga7ni-
lures bid fair to remain in favor, in midsummer
ss well as cool weather. They come chiefly in
navy blue, seal-brown, black, aud ruby velvet,
and have aashes, knots, 4nd other ornaments to
correspond. They a1e transferable, and can be
worn with = costume which they match, Or With
any color that coatraata fayorAbly with the
yatvet-
WOODEN 1AcEs
ara extremely popular Ut present, and arc en-
pIoyed very effectively in the construction OF
morning robes. Gold and silver braids, too
SNOWY for street costumes, are very handsome
garnitu1es fer morning dresses, OF light shades
Of cashmere. In many styles Of new passe7ne7-
terle. there are threads Of gold aiyer and steel,
beautifully mingled with strands OF co1orad silk.
and the whole woven into rich braid, bearing
the same time very beautiful In the braids
having threads Of gold and silver, the pure
metals arB In some instances employed, and the
trimming is then quite costly
In buttons there ia much variety. Antique
buttons arc again much affected. and appear On
many OF the imported dresses. 4 peculiar ar
rangemont OF buttons with tassels is recon-
me2aed for garnitures in lieu Of fringe; it ia