The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-26
Aesthetic Costumes.
THE DRESS OF FASHIONABLE LONDON LADIES
ATTHE GR0svENOR GALLERY OPENING.
From the London Qaeen.]

THE DRESS OF FASHIONABLE LONDON LADIES
ATTHE GRosvENOR GALLERY OPENING.
IFrom the London Qaeen.]
at is original, it is amusing. it is full OF
interest and character, it is an art and dress
seen from q point OF view different from
ours,o said French lady 10 me last Friday,
"a we stood in the large room OF the Gros-
yenor Gallery. AS she spoke she made
comprehensive gesture with her band that
took in the pictures on the walls and the
people walking about. 1t was, indeed,
original and amusing sight only to be
seen in London at the height Of the season,
perhaps only 10 be seen in the Grosyenor
Gallery, the headquarters OF unscholasticism
in art and dress. :.
There were quaint, beautiful, eXtraordi-
nary costumes walking about-ultra esthet-
ice artistic aesthetics, aesthetics that made
mn their minds to be original and daring in
their costumes, and suddenly gave way ia
some important point-put frivolous bon.
net on the top Of grave and flowing gar
nent that Albert Durer or HOlbein might
have designed for mantle. There were
fashionable costumes that Mrs. Mason or
Madame Elise might have turned out that
morning. from the boots 10 the bonnet.
The motley crowd mingled, forming into
groups. sometimes dazzling you by the ar
raw OF colOrs that In sooth you never
tbonpbt TO see promeDading about in full
| daylight. sometimes saddeniDg you by the
uncompromising neutrality OF tnts they af-
iected. Canary-yeIow garments fitted
cbeerily by the side OF draperies OF saddest
green; a hat in an agony OF pokes and an
| ples was seen in company with bonnet
| that was gay garland OF flowers; a vase
cane that might have ensbrouded the form
of Mater Dolorosa hung by The side OF a
iauntiy-striped LaDgtry hood. Nothing
came amiss, from the garments that the
iays OF Bottceli might have behed to
those that May, 1880, inaugurated. The
red.satin draped walls OF the room, and the
nictures upon them. formed setting TO the
scene.
1t requires a combination OF qualities to
say successfully goodbye to fashion, for'
swear fashion-plates as guides, and seek IN
spiration only in old or modern pictures
The eyes must be unpreludlced that' De-
holding the face and figure to winch tney
belong in the glass, can discern thelr weak
points as their strong. Tbere must De
spirted resolve to turn the weak points 10
account. ne n cook manufactures gOodly
dish oi moor materials. There must be the
reticent taste that, while adopting peculiar
costume and sticking to 1t lhrous b thick and
through the days OF crlnollne ana lhe
ace OF lank skirts-yet invests II Win q
modesty that seems To put 1t into harmony
with It's surroundings. This combination
oS qualities is rare, and consequently artis'
tic dressing is often failure. That IL can
he made pleasant to look at was proved Dy
some costumes that we saw yesterday care
fully wrought out.
We noted dainty figure clad in red vel
vet. an old silver buckle fastened the girdle
NJ the short-waisted dress; the sleeves
we're puffed; q high fur tippet was round
| the neck /: the head was ensconced IN a POKE
bonnet. wreathed with feathers OF the same
shade AZ the dress. Another young lady
wore a gown that seemed to 90 through
every scale and modulatlon OF green, from
sombre SAGE 10 the highest shade OF green
isb.yellow the bonnet was tue SAINT a..
angement in green; large green gau1e
| veil formed the bonnet strings, enshr,u'ns
the face, and fastened on the Ieit sue Wy
yellow roses; rich black satin man''e
toned down the general effect.
One dress struck us rs particularly cnarln,
iog--a gray silk, with a graceiuily'urspeo
scarf the same the edge OF the skirt rucheo
with deep crimson; the round hood iineo
with crimson; a coal-scuttle bonnet--tne
miniature edition Of the Quaker bonnet
oray outside. crimson inside, throwing
shade over the face. The costume was
pjqusnt mixture OF simplicity aud rich COZ
oling. ..,.oa ,
Among the bizarre toilets we noticed
black six, slsshed and pufed w''n so'o