Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-06-06
New York Fashions.
LE--COLORS--NEW DESIGNS
FURNISHING.

THE WAR OF sKIRTs-EvERYTHING FASH
LE--CoLORs--NEw DESIGNS
FURNISHING.
NEW YORK, June 3rJ, 1879.
Correspondence Of the Staunton, VINDIcAToR.]
THE WAR OF SKIRTS.
A month ago wrote that there was a
rage for trimmed skirts. Now let me pre-
dict a coming rage for untrimmed. Sud
denly they appear on The streets. and at
first sight we fall in love with them. So
far. however, the untrimmed skirts are OF
heavy striped silk, corduroy or satin,
(plain stripes) although I have observed
one of velvet. This was of rich black vel
vet and with it was worn an overskirt OF
fine wool beige cloth. made very short IN.
front, | emphasize the very) not at all
long in the back, and caught high on the
hips. Some Of the new skirts have but a
faint show of trimming; perhaps on the
bottom edge quite narrow side plating
perhaps divers fans of satin let in at inter
walls. These fan trimmings are indeed
quite feature on new spring suits, fol
we see them introduced wherever it may
seem appropriate. AS yet, the overdress
or polonaise worn with untrimmed or but
slightly trimmed skirts are invariably Of
plain wooden material of fine quality. [
would predict however. quite an epidemic
of plain or nearly plain skirts. The idea
will spread and ere long will be repeated
in classes of goods as vet untouched. De
spite these daring innovations, however,
trimmed skirts are formidable by reason
OF their numbers; for long time yet they
will hold their own and bid defiance to all
opposition.
EVERYTHING FASHIONABLE.
just at present it would be safe to say
that every thing is fashionable, for it is
much harder to think of what is not worn
than what is. Many of the new overskirts
or trimmings which simulate an overskirt,
open back from the front, sometimes in
the heightened style of long ago, or again
with lappels SO short as to appear almost
continuation of the basque. There is an
interval down the front and this becomes
a suitable battle field where rival dress
makers undergo struggles the most pro-
longed and frightful in the work of vary
ing, multiplying, piling and compiling all
manner of wonderful ideas in the way of
trimmings which sometimes harmonic
but oftener wage warfare with each other.
Then again where there is no overskirt;
real or counterfeit, the sphere of action be
comes proportionately enlarged and here
the sallyings and countersallyings; the
stretchings out and shrinkings in; the is
suings forth and sudden Withdrawals; the
twistings and adroit turnings Of founc-
ings, puffings, tuckings, pointings. scali0p-
ings, laces, fringes, buttons and elaborate
combinations of material, to say nothing
of many hued ribbon bows and loopings;
are such as to endanger the sta bility of the
strongest brain Of modern times, and
causes the prudent chronicler of fashion to
retire ANONYMOUSLY and with sense of
discontinue from the task of description.
CoLORs.
The reign OF pale shades is over, and in
atonement for long fasting, we have often
times very feast Of color. frequently
combinations are gaudy in the extreme,
for red and yellow are placed side by side;
a triple union of blue, red and yellow ap-
pears, or in lieu thereof, something equally
bold and faring Nothing is too auda-
cious. We see entire costumes of bright
blue; of garnet finished with yellow, etc.
A belle recently appeared in a bright blue
costu me, carrying in her hand a parasDa
in which red and yellow appeared in CASH
mere combinations, while the lining was
of blue to match her dress. Bright pink
is the one positive shade that is not
brought forward, but the way to it seems
prepared; yet do not understand me as
saying that pale coiors are not seen. That
would be grave error indeed, for they
are often so delicate as scarce to seem re-
alities. My meaning is that we have a
liberty accorded us which has been seized
upon and carried to an extreme. There
seems indeed sort of abandon prevalent,
and of this, what more striking evidence
than the adoption of the "bandana" or
ACSlO 0AuOAC1Cu101 oUylCo WO Oil
know the extravaganza combinati ons found
in this class Of goods. Young ladies vt
lawn tennis and archery meetings will
wear costumes Of "cheese cloth,'' name
bestowed on very fimsy quality of I'M
bleached muslin sold at five cents per yard.
They are relieved by bandana trimmings
and with cotton parasol to match, the So
ciety belle will 60 forth to conquest. To
what may not Fashion give sanctions?
LASTLY.
As for parasols, write boldly and with
out qualification, that they ''1ever" were
30 varied Or so bright, nothing is too pro-
nounced even for the city. Perhaps it is
in consequence of ali these brilliant COM
binations that red wigs have suddenly fall
len into disuse-also in great measure
the reddish dyes. Likely enough they do
not contrast as we'll with the gayety of
spring apparel, as with the dark winter
outfits. Perhaps they are too warm and
are left over till the return of cold weather.
This, however, is problem cannot quite
solve, so too must leave it over. Espec-
tally as have a parting and practical
word to say about some new designs,
Among these we find the Gwendoline train
which is at once simple and elegant, fall
ing long at the back, disposed in panier
style on the hips and turned back in long
reUers on the front. The AnatOlia basque
would give very stylish completion. In
children's outfits may be mentioned the
Beulah costume adapted to girls of from
ten to sixteen, and having blouse waist,
draped overskirt. and skirt finished with a
deep, kilt plated founce. The Isabel cos
tune for from fourteen to sixteen, consists