Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-11
Alefan0rla 6ax&tte
TUESDAY EVENING, DEC K. II.
Paris Fashions.

| A very coarse bOurette OF the Enottlest dc'
scription has been christened the "Lady's
bobby" 1t is of that peculiarly sour green
called boiled sorrel. A few patches Of brick col,
ored red float about on the surface. 1t Is hoped
the whim will not last long, as while the ne.
dievaI styles arc all the hobby, people will study
old tapestries and discern how cleverly an No.
| forbidding green was managed to blend in with
some harmonious dervatlVe not an oppos't" ~
shading The same may be said of the goideu
shades now so much Worn. Certain hues OF the
| precious ore are no more glarlng than those OF
| the opal. There is, for instance, painting by
| Veronese representing the mystic wedding OF
St. Catherine. The virgin is clothed 10 satin
and gold, two gorgeous, glossy materials, but
the brush of the artist has 80 softened down the
briaucy of each that the drapery is as soft to
the eye as early dew.
Partisan miIliDers are only beginning to uu.
derstaDd this great art, in which the old mas.
ters we're so perfect. They are powderlng os'
trch plumes with geld, and the featbery effect
is an immense relief after the saturnaIla OF ye-
low aud orange which has so recently affected
US. A creamy feather under silvery coating
is equally elegant At ooe Of the grand wed.
dings which has lately taken place ruby vel
vet Watteau shaped hat made tor duohesss
was greatly admired. 1t was oruamented round
tho rim With golden string of somewhat large
cut beads, and on the top fell or rather cuTed.
cluster Of pale blue ostrich feathers powdered
with gold. w
Gaslight is prejudicial to the new metallic
powderinps; those flowers called bronze dorc
and the foliage to match should be carefully
covered with silk or tissue paper, for anything
that touches or rub5 them is opt to turn oolor
A very artistic shade much employed ior
mixtures io costly fabrics is lie de vim (dregS OF
wine.) But there are dregs aDd dreg5. Those
which can bo taken down to the very last thread
are of the old Port wine description. a rich tu
shade with dull surface. 1t mixes admirably VITA
amber and Medici myrtle. y brocade now
made 10 imitation Of the Genoese fabric
that was fashionable when Columbus was q
boy is cf g pea green ground and norlsteu win
in Paris in our days as velour' fscoune 9. clsele
1t is very expensive, costing about thirty francs
per metre, but few there are who W!ll hsVeN
for what they call fscngs and reverse; the la'tef
are thus rendered lively.
Golden cloth has been inaugurated at q tourha'
ment f q kind that differed somewhat from the
famous event that took place on the champ uu
drap d or. 1t was when Mile Alphand oecams
duchess, and the piece Of cloth was discernlo.o
on the head of Nine Dollus, ono OF the most
distiuoue women in Paris. 1t was made up as
Marie Stuart couture, with open rim ana orha,
mented with three feathers that maintained all
the chvslry of the hesdgear IS if 1t nodded over
helmet and visor.
as the above msy be it is as we'll to mention that
it is now easier than formerly to dress At little
cost. Cut is the chief feature; robe perfect 3
fitted and made flowing, with some regard to
scant proportions, is thetype Of present elegance
There can be no doubt that a complete transfer
nation is about to take place in fomsle costume.
and elaborate artistic work will triumph over
.howiness. Minute painting satin, minu.o
lace stitch minute embroidery and incruststlons
| are becoming tho order OF the day; anytmhhg h;
| hand is now the grand deside1atun.-N I. Her.