Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-20
SOME LONDON FASHIONS.
The Marvellous Stockings Now Worn
by the Ladies' In England.

In view of the belief that short
dresses will be ultimately worn, man
ufacturers have produced marvels in
the shape of stockings. Indeed many
are quite works of art. But the en-
broidery on some of them is far more
elaborated than beautiful, while others
are just as tasteful and pretty. In
fact, stockings now form an important
item in the toilet. The old design
of a spear head is considered too sim
pie looking for the present style.
Hose Of black silk or Lisle thread,
embroidered with white or colored
floss silk, are always in good taste.
The newer kinds are embroidered up
the front, and not at the ankles as be-
fore. Very small flowers, such as for
get-me-nots, LOOK far prettier for the
instep and leg of a stocking than roses
almost as big as sunhowers, which are
not at all uncommon. Spun silk and
cashmere silk hose can now be bought
in every new and delicate shade. to
match the costumes with which they
are to be worn. Pale pink, blue, beige
and caroubier are the most popular
colors.
Fashion, like history, constantly re-
peats itself, and, as regards the wear
ing Of h~esh-colored stockings, the au-
thor of ELLA" written in 1919, says
"A fashion of pink-colored hose for
ladies comes up at this juncture. Oh
the c%onceits which we varied upon red
in all its prismatic differences. And
the collateral topic of ankles. What
an occasion for a truly chaste writer.
like ourself, of touching that nice
brink, and yet not tumbling over it"
Il pronounced" says Charles Lamb.
in reference to these stockings, that
mOdesty, taking her fnalleave of NOR
tails, was visible in her ascent to the
heavens by the track Of her glowing
instep but fashion is transient. and
so is the mode which has favored us.
The ankles of our fair friends in a few
weeks began to reassume their pris-
tine whiteness."
That is not the least likely in our
time, 1879, for white stockings are
rarely seen indoors, far less in the
streets and the fashion for wearing
shoes which display so much of the
stockings makes it almost certain that
the taste for colored hose will be more
enduring that what Charles Lamb
calls the transient mode of a few
weeks"
Then what dainty shoes there are.
Almost e%xtravagant, and quite indie
scribable in their elegance. They are
made in every possible color, with gold
or silver heels, and embroidered in all
styles with gold or silver thread. or
beads and pearls likewise trimmed
with ruches of lace, silk, and what
not.
The instep is held in place by en-
broidered bands or gold and silver
clasps, or by ornamental knots of
bright ribbons, made up in imitation
of gay birds; butterflies, Lizards.
and flowers are used to decorate the
toes.
Cardinal stockings look extremely
well wOrn under black velvet or satin
trimmed with white lace. and
with buckles to initiate dia-
monds.
To the long gloves now worn on dress
occasions fashion has added two more
buttons, making the almost incredible
number of twenty-six, and when hang
ing in the window in length they look
tar more like stockings than gloves.
to evening dresses there are
none worth mentioning, and these
certainly cover one part of the
arm, though it is at the wrong ex-
tremity.
Caps continue to be worn. Many
have the crowns made of the same
material as the dress, and are trimmed
gold or silver lace, and ornament
ed with gold coins, balls, pearl beads.
or marabout feathers fringed with
gold, and some are composed Of flowers
alone.
The OLIVIA is the favorite model
also for bonnets made of soft materials
well as caps. The latter is of Indian
muslin and Breton lace. This head
dress is copied in exact imitation of
one worn by Miss Helen Terry. in
her clever representation of DR.. Prim-
roses eldest daughter, and is more be-
to most faces than the univer-
sal turban-shape. The crown of the
Olivia" is loose and large, trimmed
with two rows of rather wide lace.
which is caught back by a knot of
ribbons Just above the center of the
forehead.