Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-06-12
From our Special Correspondent.
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER.
Trimmed Skirts versus Observation-Disclosures
Of Coiors-spripg Changes.

Trimmed Skirts versus Observation-Disclosures
Of Coiors-spriBs Changes.
TRIMMED SKIRTS, VERSUS UNTRIMMRD.
The latest innovation is that of en-
tirely plain skirts With polonaise or
overskirt and basque. But in either
case, the upper skirt is short and
comes high on the sides. A rich
striped silk, corduroy or satin forms
the lower skirt while the overdress is
of fine plain material. Plain velvet
skirts are also to be observed. Then
again we see skirts ofsimilar fabric,
but only having faint show of trim
ming, as for example, narrow row
of side plaits around the lower edge,
or fans let in at intervals. These fans
are indeed quite feature IN new
costumes and are placed anywhere
and everywhere. But though / am
willing to prophesy that untrimmed
skirts will prove az contagious IS the
small pox, yet for the present we fiDd
that opposite styles are formidable
by reason of their numbers. IT'S not
a risk to say that anything and every
thing is fashionable. A month ago /
wrote that there was rage for train
ed skirts and to give an accurate idea
of the different ways which prevails
would be to cover a quire of paper
and bring on a headache for week.
Oftentimes a prolonged overskirt
opens back from the front, or is 30
short as to secure only a prolonga-
lion of the basque. Then comes an
expanse which to the eyes of rival
dressmakers seems battle ground
whereupon deadly conflict RACES as
to who shall display the greater in
trlcacies of every kind; the weapons
of their warfare being folds, bands,
tuckings, plaitings, puffings, pipings,
6ouncings, scallopiDgs, fringes, laces,
ribbons, bows and loopings, buttons
and such like, dispersed horizontally,
perpendicularly, diag ly, in
straight lines or curved !; in long ex-
tensions or coming to an untimely
end; holding staring or modestly
peeping out, half hidden by something
else. | hope my dear sisters who
read this will understand it, for if
they do, they will have accomslished
good deal more than / have been
able to. Yet ! insist on the moral Of
all this which is-liberty--a glorious
liberty to follow out your own in
stincts and provided something pretty
is the result, go fearlessly onward
Nevertheless what wonder that as an
antidote we turn over tired eyes to
the new plain or almost plain skirts,
with overdress of plain material
above. There will be contest be-
tween the two all summer, but we
are the gamers, for we can choose
which we please. 1t is manifest how
ever, that the many light fabrics
worn during warm months must have
ornamentations, so here is an advan-
tage on the side of trimmings.
MIXTURES OF CoLoRs
are as noticeable as plentitude of or.
namentation. Bright blue costumes
which would have Mortified us year
ago are now worn composedly by
leaders of fashion, while again we
see garnet plentifully trimmed with
| yellow stripes; red, yellow, and blue
are placed side by side without a
question; nothing is too pronounced
and the only positive color seen as
| yet, is bright pink that being still
reserved for children's wear. Yet
pale colors are not excluded, for often
times we see the most delicate com
binations. One of the boldest ideas
of the season are the costumes of
"cheese cloth" trimmed with the
most faring "bandana' or negro
handkerchief goods. These peculiar
outfits will be worn by young ladies
at lawn tennis or archery gatherings,
where their compilations will be shad-
ed by cotton parasols of gay bandana
"cheese cloth" is the name given to
what in reality is very flimsy, I'M
bleached muslin selling at FIVE cents
per yard. A parting word as to new
and desirable designs. The Gevendo-
line train at once simple and elegant,
falls long at the back, is disposed in
paniers style on the hips and turned
back in long revers on the front. To
this the Anatolia basque would give
very stylish completion.
In children's outfits, may be men.
toned the Beudah costume adapted
to girls of from ten to sixteen, and
having blouse waist, draped over.
skirt, and skirt finished with deep,
kilt plated founce The Isabel cos.
tune for from fourteen to sixteen
consists of a curious basque with pan
Ter drapery and trimmed skirt. The
MAZDA dress would be pretty for girls
from eight to twelve. The "Daisy'
is a graceful blouse dress for children
from six months to six years, and for
\ boys from six to eight, the Antonio
skirt can be recommended.
SPRING CHANGES. .tas.-
So many people with the spring,
nave just moved into new quarters,
or are having a general renovation oil
their old ones, that / am tempted to
give word of advice about the new
piano which of all is the last and
most important None are more
sought after by people who under.
derstand such matters than those
manufactured by Haines Bros. l24
Fifth Avenue. They finish an instru-
ment of the best material and finest
tone at a moderate price, and though
every style is presented yet for those
in search of an upright, it may be
added that this is specially with
them, and is therefore seen in not a
few of the most elegant houses here.
Lucy CARTER.