The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-11-25
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Fashion Fancies.

Fashion DEGREES this winter that richer
and more striking fabrics, brighter colors
and more bizarre combinations, shall be
used in the composition of toilets and in
millinery than we have had for many
years. To describe in words the bro
cades, satins, silks, plaided stuffs in silk
and wool, handkerchief goods, cheviots,
serges, fiannels and novelty materials
for dresses brought out this winter is
impossible. In fact, not even pictured
representations can do justice to the
present facts in dress fabrics. The
special rage OF the season is for plaid
effects. Toward these the index of
fashion has pointed steadily tor some
time, and manufacturers, guided by the
signs of the times, have not hesitated in
the production of new and exaggerated
styles. Bold handkerchief patterns, in
wool materials, are produced in every
variety OF combination and effect. Some
times the outer border of the handker-
chief square is marked by large plaids,
while the inner portion is filed with
small checks. In other patterns the
plaids cross the centers OF the squares
and the small plaids are placed without.
In colors every age and fancy can be
suited. From the brightest to the gray
Indeed, to look at the variety of color
combinations and brilliant effects in
fabrics of every kind, one might think
the looms had run riot, were il not that
through all there runs a spirit of order
in disorder, and by the union of colors
apparently the most incongruous, the
most unique and tasteful effects are pro-
duced. Shades of dark plum, garnet,
marine, gendarme, and turquoise blues,
bronzes, old gold, red and green, are all
used in combination with each other,
producing bright or sober effects, ac-
cording to the predominance of particu-
lar shades, and the method of their
combination.
Tie changes which fashion has made
in the makeup of materials this season
are shown more in the minor details
than in the general effect. In trimmings
fairly prodigal use is made of black jet,
which is used in fringes of unprecedented
width, as well as on those of ordinary
size, and on passementeries cords,
tassels, spikes, frogs and buttons. Pas
sementeries, especially, are made in the
richest designs with flowers, foliage,
corals and so forth, closely initiated in
the allpervading jet. Frogs for cloak
fastenings also are made in very elabor-
ate designs, representing leaves, flowers,
butterflies, cornucopias, etc. Buttons
this season will be more elaborate than
ever; and those used on outdoor gar
ments are of unprecedented size, many
of them rivaling the diameter Of a trade
dollar. The old patterns are still popu.
lar, but genre and odd-shaped buttons
are advancing in favor, and owls, lions
heads and similar designs are seen with
many dressy toilets.
Skirts still cling moderately to the
figure, and are trimmed with founces
scarfs, hip draperies and loop-back dra
peries, as well as in straight unloopeo
Dnes. Basques are still worn, but polo
naises are also in vogue, though not sc
popular as basques and bodices. Cowl;
or hoods, Just like monks cowl ol
hood, appear on many of the new suits
on walking jackets, cloaks, and some
times even on dolman visites. The dol
man visite, by the way, is the leading
wrap. This winter it comes lined witt
colored plush instead of with fur. Bu
fur-lined and all-fur garments are mo-
by any means discarded. In fact, they
are the only proper wraps for the
coolest weather in this latitude. Circle
cloaks lined with fur are also to remair
in vogue. This season they are made {
little more shapely by having the bacl
seam curved to the line of the figure
giving graceful spring to the garment
While black wraps continue to be worl
and called for more than any other, i
is observable that seal brown has be
come very fashionable for jackets, dol
mans and cloaks. Seal-brown plusl
jackets and dolmans initiate sealskin t
perfection, and seal-brown cloth, beave
and chinchilla- cloth wraps trimmed
with seal-brown plush have all the rich
ness of effect of real sea-fur trimmed
garment. Jet and other glittering beat
trimmings are used on the richest Sicil
lienne and damassee cloaking wraps
In fact, jet grows more and more il
| favor from season to season. 1t crop
out on everything-dresses, bonnets
hats and cloaks; and for colored dresse
there are bead trimmings of the rares
artistic merit, showing the colors @
costume or toilet on which they ar
used.
In millinery, gold, silver, tinsel, gold
brocaded ribbons, gold cords and braids
gold sequins and golden ornament
tighten and brighten the plush, velve
and satin which compose the dressies
b, nnets, and it is used unsparingly, toe
on furry beaver and plush felt hats
Ehrich'S Fashion Quarterly.