The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-17


uaEuoxY OF coLoRs--THE ART OF PER.
recr pxsssINa--oLp LADIES WHO AFFECT
YOUTHFUL STYLES.
iron the Chicago Times.1
al your dress,v writes Gail Hamilton,
"i< neat, weli-fiting, and weiI.toned, men
win not notice u, except . few msn'ml''
liners, and few others who ought 10 De,
and to whose opinion we pay no regard
theoretically this may be true practicaIy
II "a fallacy, A woman, after Gaining on
/ friend. NAV be able to give 40 accurate ac-
eount Of the toilet worn by her hostess !,
now she obtaiucd such thorough Know.
ledge of the details Is mystery TOT, 10 an
anrearanees. she was interested IN the con-
verso,iop. and never once allowed her eyes
m rest on the dress In question; still, every
;o,d. every pleating. and nearly every stich
IL nresent TO her minds eye. Occasionally
there are ladies who have not cultivated
fady.uke manner Of observing, ana sucn
people are, TO say the least. exceeuing'y
djsayreeable. Enter street.car in wh'cn
one Of these critical individuals Is aireao!
installed, and you are apt 10 nna .pas
before long an inventory has been ,aken y,
every article OF wearing apparei maj 20.
can boast; there Is sudden CONSCIOUSNESS,
not at ali cheerful, that the SIX ih fou'
dress Is shiny with constant wear = SUI
den suspicion dawps upon your mind sDat
the fringe and ribbons which ornament the
said costume are not perfect match; you
hegin 10 imagine that your hat must have
cone out OF the ruins OF the great fire, and
so on with gloves, shoes, handkerchiei,
and cloak: an uncomfortable sensation OF
sbabbipess takes possession OF your whole
heing-aIl because the keen eyes OF the lazy
sitiog on the opposite side OF the car nave
been examining you from head to foot win
tbat unple asant scrutiny that Is so dibcult
,o bear unfiinchipgly. As general thing
men do not act In this manner; II Is not
usnaI for any but "man-milliners, or such
az oucbt TO be-" TO notice the minute points
Of a lsdy's toilet; but there are very many
who cal, give an intelligent description OF u
becoming costume or stylish bat.
No matter bow pretty a face young lady
nav have, little attention 10 dress Is in
dispensable, and most gentlemen are quick
10 detect the absence OF aHy evidence vi
taste In the style Of even the pretiiest girl,
and, while they are ready to acknowledge
her beauty. do not hesitate to supplement
the compliment with the additional phrase,
"but she does dress abominably ~" makes
guy Of herself" etc. "Beauty unadorned
is good; beauty properly adorned is bet
ter" A girl may dress with extreme
simplicity and yet be stylish and appro'
priately attired; there ars so many fashions
that each one in enabled to suit Der parti-
cular complexion, figure, and general style,
and, without being extravagaDt, can array
herself in very becoming manner. A soil
blending OF colors is usually exceedingly
elegant, but many ladies make great
mistake in buying goods for spri1g, sum-
mer, or even winter dresses. They en-
deavOr 10 match their hair. skin, or eyes,
instead of purchasing shade which, While
il harmonIzes well with the color OF these
natural charms, contrasts with them and
forms species OF foil which is calculated
10 set off TO the best advantage these Datural
beauties golden. brown hair is lovely, but
IL loses half IT'S CLEAN il the dress be Of
shade to correspond; brunettes who have
great deal Of color in checks and lips are
apt TO find deep or clear reds unbecomiDg,
and can often wear tints which blonde 10
whom tiDts and delicate shades seem TO
yightfully belong) would not dare to wear.
Contrast, provided ii be not glariDg or lie
harmonious, Is one OF the secrets vi artistic
effects; 1t brings into strong relief all the
good point. VI face and figure, and throws
the defects into the shade. The art OF per-
feet dressing Is cultivated by few; either
through lack Of time, means, or taste, very
little attention Is paid to this particular
branch Of subject which Il supposed to be
OF absorbing interest TO the feminine portion
OF the population. This would lie a mis-
taken idea, for many society ladies are
always tastefully and richly attired. The
trouble IL, that while many elaborate toilets
are exhibited at balls, parties, and other
festive occasions, the wearers are wanting In
muny respects, and the chief beauties Of the
handsome silks, satins, and brocades are
marred by tn lack OF taste and grace In
The persons who possess these triumphs OF
the dressmaker's skill. IL some people
would only exercise little common sense,
to say nothing OF good taste and dress 70
suit their age and condition IN life, but
whether the mental exertlon would be too
great or whether their ideas and feelings
are still youthful, or whether through
natural peTvfrsIty or want OF judgment,
some ladies who are fifty il they are day
viii mist upon arraying themselves like
giils of sixteen, and are particularly given
10 wearing low-neck and short.sleeye
dresses, while it is rare thing for young
lady To dispense with sleeves. The most in-
appropriate toilets imaginable may be seen
on ladies who think themselves exceeding
" youthful In appearance, who are fa,ter'
ed when told how well they look and how
becoming their dresses, while in reality
every one is commenting on their pool
taste, and laughing at them the instant they
leave the room. Then there are young
girls who wear costumes which, 10 point o.
richness, elegance, and style, would only
DO suitable for their mothers. This is {
decided mistake, for the more simple I
young girl dresses the better she looks
Some people are stylish without knowing
IL; that is to say, everything they have
seems thoroughly suited and adapted tC
them; the very way In which they wear |
dress or hat Is sufficient to make II jauntl
and becoming. This is gift for which
many sigh, but which Is to some an unat
tainable blessing. Those who are so fortu
nate as to possess this faculty OF making ;
little go great way, and who appear wei
in any kind OF dress, should be grateful
and rejoice, for they are the favored ant
chosen few.
What is to be worn during the presen
month? Well, everything that can he pu
from the crown Of ones head to the sole o
ones foot, for
- April still Is young,
And full Of her tricas and wics,
Some lines frOW ming and sad,