Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-04-16
New York Fashions.
THE BUTTONS OF THE DAY-EAsTER Co.'S
TUMES-T MMINGS-PARASOLs, &C.
Correspondence OF the Stanton VINp1cAroR.1

NEW YORK, April 10th.
The entire columns of this respected
journal might be taken up by treatise on
buttons, and yet justice would not be done
to the subject. SO diverse in kind, shape,
size and general characteristic are the but
tons of the day, and may add so beauti-
full. Thus in Easter displays. we find ex-
quisite costumes Of plain material, where
with glittering finish, buttons both large
and small, fairly glow in many colored ra-
diations.
Enamelings appear on metal which is
also engraved and otherwise ornamented;
pearl is varlously wrought in open work OF
inlaid, ivory is carved in pretty designs or
combined with gilt or silver; horn by pro-
cesses of polishing progresses as far beyond
its original self as member Of the human
family is by Darwinian methods made to
excel Chimpanzee; shell undergoes like
transformations; bone is no longer bone,
but something beautiful as novel. and
steel is also wrought and colored until
semblance Of steel is quite destroyed
Thus we find beads of many hues brought
together with oriental results to which
brilliancy is given by Hastings from burn
ished steel, silver or gilt, to say nothing of
jet which this season is extremely fashion,
able. The leading forms are round, square
and oval; the largest are the size of sill
yer half dollar and from this dlminutions
are in all gradations down to such as are
no larger than three cent piece. Saucer
and cup shapes are new and sometimes are
adorned with female heads, though con-
trast is given by snakes, lizards, birds or in.
sects. Egyptian heads are popular and iow-
ers are hand painted. It is therefore not
surprising that buttons are at times used
as substitutes for brocade and placed on
the largest size are especially adapted to
the Redingote or Surtout costumes which
becomes more and more prominent In
all cases the slashed up skirts hang plainly
down in coat like style, without an aspira
ton towards the vanity of looping. Dis
NAL to tell however. they are particularly
unadapted to that experience of March
wind through which we have just been
passing and the appearance of city belle
as she progresses on her way, beset by a
boisterous northeaster, reminds one of
those impressive pictures Of wind mills
which illustrate school book. The vision
of such young lady is all the more strlk-
ing from the fact that the various coat
tails are lined with red or yellow satin.
For this Is leading thought in the surtout
mo trimming on the outside save very
large buttons, while the lining is bright
red or yellow. More quiet costumes are
slashed on either side only and stylish out
fits of black silk are made with trimmed
skirt of black silk and surtout of brocade
or uice versa, the skirt of brocade and the
upper portion Of plain silk; the colored
lining peeping forth at intervals and some
times added in plpings on vest in front.
The Leontine is graceful design with
cutaway redingote and vest, and the
Odelte is equally stylish without vest and
not SO much cutaway. With either, a
rich looping Of cord might conn meet the
buttons at the back.
TRIMMINGS
of Shirrings are brought forward with a
genuine furer. Entire front breadths are
shirred. Shirrings appear around the bot
tom of skirts, on sleeves; almost every
where indeed, SO much SO that both in
costumes and millinery they can hardly be
misplaced. But side plaitings are con-
stantly seen and-as there is almost an. en-
tire absence of medium fringes, or any
thing else adapted to the general run of
costumes, We have no other resource than
the employment OF one material upon
another; plain on figured or figured on plain
and hence the abundance of plaitings,
shirripgs. &C.
Light fabrics require soft styles in dra-
pings, and buntings, thin summer silks
and fine cotton materials are manifestly
unsuited to coat like designs.
The Macheline and Tautine are devised
with view to these goods. In the way of
a light spring outdoor garment, the Mar
rielle visite is very pretty, with dolman
back, but if coat shaped garment be pre-
ferred. the Balfour has just been jntroduc-
ed. The fancy for brocaded garment,
which differs from costume, becomes
more and more apparent. Bright Orlen-
tai basques on visltes are now worn with
black o: dark costumes, and for a basque of
this kind. the Marquiseis especially appro-
pirate.
NEW PARASOLS
New drawn parasols have twelve ribs,
and as the trimmings are placed behind
them, they become noticeable feature,
and being painted red. produce peculiar
and tasteful results. The quaintest finish
is given by an ivory ring suspended from
the top which, upon occasion, is brought
down and closes the parasol. But could
not possibly tell you how beautiful the
styles are. since all that is brightest and
best in brocade and satin is made use Of
Colorings are often extensively rich, but
again we observe very delicate combina-
tions. Spanish lace, black or white, is a
favorite edging, and oriental lace is effec-
tually employed. Dogs heads are ex-
tremely popular, carved on light wood
handles. but insects of many kinds are
also very frequently seen. Sizes are eigh-
teen inches.
Yet after all have told of spring fash.
ions, 30 much remains, that perhaps one
could not do better than become. for fifty
cents, subscriber to the Fashion Quar-
terly. published by Enrich & Bro, corner
9Th avenue and oath street, New York
City. 1t is gotten up especially for out Of
town residents, is full of illustrations and
nreaenta such cnrefnll1 comnilod nrica