The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-07-25
Latest STYLES and Fabrics.

conceivable style and finish are III high
vogue. Ladies of this section, instead
of sweltering in summer silks, pongees,
poplins, or even silk-lined grenadines,
have taken refuge in the airy muslins,
chambres, cambrics, percales, and even
bunting cloths, in short, to dress com
fortably, just as they do in New Orleans
and Paris.
These materials are frequently made
up in the princesse fashion, which is
really a prominent feature in the con
stitution of existing styles, and quite as
suitable for these simple fabrics as fol
the more costly ones, ard likely to con-
tinue in favor for many seasons.
The primitive form is much like the
Gabrielle of past seasons, only, to secure
the long, slender, glove-itting effect,
plaits are omitted, as in the Marguerite
back, and the seams prolonged over the
hips, and considerably below the waist.
line, back and front, following the center
of the figure with scrupulous exactness.
An opening at the side, separating the
back from the front, Stimulating a polo
naise, is a very pretty arrangement for
the street.
A pretty walking p~rince,se, just clear
ing the ground, as is the latest style, is
finished with q succession of narrow
rufaes put in straight around the depth
of the knee, some with q French sack,
or q small fchu cape at the back, and
crossed in front, the ends prolonged and
knotted at the back into graceful sashes.
The dolman bearing the same name is at
all times q stylish and fitting accessory
to the princesse.
Nothing could be more desirable for
general service than a costume of bunt-
ing made after this fashion, trimmed
with narrow box-plaited 1ounces cut
crosswise, fringed out one-fourth Of an
inch at the bottom. Sleeves, revers and
pockets are trimmed en- suite, and worn
with a Corday cape, or triangular fchu.
Nothing could be more exquisitely
elegant for midsummer than a ~princesse
of Mexicaine g%renadine, finished with
full plaitings of French lace. Many
ladies have on hand q half-worn black
silk, no matter if the cashmere finish
be worn to a satiny ~luster; all the better,
so it be strong enough to cut a princesse,
and over an entirely new lining, will
last quite well, and look rs nice is
new under a profusion Of narrow box
plated, lace-trimmed g%renadine rufaes,
supplemented by a diagonal scarf ar
rangement, and be ar immense saving
in the matter Of material cost. If desira-
BILE, the throat may be cut square, and
filled in with transparent puiings and
the sleeves pulled oyer q thin lining,
showing the Wilderness of neck and arms.
A French muslin, cambria or thin silk
of delicate tint, pale pink, buff, blue or
lavender, made into a %princesse slip,
may serve as q beautiful groundwork for
q house toilet, to be worn under white
or black fabrics which have not enough
body to sustain themselves.
These pretty, inexpensive suits can he
so easily contrived at home, usually
from the odds and ends of lace, silk or
muslin one has on hand. One pleasing
thing about the styles is that they favor
the utilization Of materials which would
otherwise be considered insufficient and
useless.
The princesse, for reception and
evening wear, is called the Fdrreur
dress, and is the special f~avorite in four
continents.
Robes de chambre, in the princesse
style, having shirter trains, are orna-
mented with fancy pockets, and a jabot
of lace and ribbons extending from neck
to toe. Indian cashmere, striped with
various colors, forming an irregular pat
tern, trimmed with bands of Indian en-
broidery, are used for making these
dresses.
A lovely princesse for the house may
be made Of the summer silks, with hair
line stripes of self color, or some prettily
contrasting shade trimmed with a profu-
sion of pinked out %ruffles, which impart
an aerial effect to the simplest toilet.
Morning robes of tinted chambre,
braided or embroidered with white
thread or floss, or trimmed with bands
Of Hamburg embroidery, are desirable
for lady mothers, whose duties involve
frequent changes.
THE PLAsTRoS.
This is q feature of the latest styles OF
trimmings, characteristic and yet dis.
tinctive. There are plastron backs and
plastrons square, heart-shaped, round,
cornered and pointed; short, defining
the curve of the chest and lung, like
vests. They are made of all manner OF
materials, and worn with all manner of
dresses. Few models seem complete
without them. A new fancy is that of
p. ting plastrons and cuffs of cardinal
red in tilluel silk in black silk sacks,
while the richest dresses have q plastron
of fine lace laid over q brilliantly con
trasting color.
THE RETON COSTUME.
A distinguishing feature peculiar to
this costume is the plastron vest, fasten-
ed underneath the buttons of the jacket
on the right side, buttonel by invisible
buttons and bnttonholes.
Sequin buttons having eyes only in
one edge are very convenient for trim
ming these dresses; though ordinary
buttons of silver and steel filagree,
japanese lacquer, vegetable, ivory and
mother-of-pearl, set in like scales, one
above another, are used.
The broad pocket-haps, the distin.
gushing straps on the back of both the
jacket and the tunic, are trimmed with
galloons of self-colored grounds, en-
broidered in white floral patterns. The
bottom of the tunic is trimmed with 6
large cord or piping covered with the
distinctive contrasting color of the gal
loon.
\ princesse with Breton vest of vel
vet embroidered in gold is q novelty fol-
full dress. These Breton vests are
made as if nodded to fit the figure.
The most desirable Breton suits are
made of black silk and cashmere, trim
med with buttons, in clusters, and en-
broidered bands, all black or else il
fancy colors. Indian designs are ricf
beyond compare, and the dash of colol
is a great relief to the sombre uniform
ity of its absence.
The most useful Breton suits ore
made of black silk or cashmere, or {
wholesome combination Of the two
trimmed with wide g~alloons, all black o.
embroidered in the rich Indian colors