National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-01
SHAMS IN DRESS.
The Present FurOre Among the Ladies'
The Einery Market.

The Finery Market.
The tendency of the age IS toward ShamS. Cheap
articles that look like something which they are
not are more and more in demand. The markets
are full of limitations and the deluded victims are
many. Women complain that their dresses don't
lit, their clOaks get out Of shape their shoes don't
wear, and their gloves WEAKNESS to the flesh.
Upon their arrival home mall the shine of 'spick-
span newnesS" they are pronounced perfect, and
the bills are paid with tOleTably good grace, be-
cause they feel that for once at least they have
their moneys worth. They congratulate them
selves having dress for $50 that looks Just as
well as their neighbours, which cost so. A few
day later they discover that the goods sag" and
get out of shape, the dreSsmaker is blamed for
poor work, and the victims 81 bad luck is sOrcly
bewailed.
Just now the furore is satin de Lyon. Manufac-
turers know very well that if an elegant material
is put upon the market cheap grade of the same
goods must speedily follow. So, when my lady sees
one of the leaders of fashion in elegant satin de
Lyon, she hastens to the shops to find that very
nice-looking quality of this goods can be had for
SljO almost as handsome as the $3.50 grade in
which her more wealthy neighbor has appeared.
She buys it, and it is made up with most disastrous
results. The goods is weighted with chemicals
and dyestrffs and stihcned with gums, so that il
may be thick and firm. The first damp or misty
day disSolves a certain amount Of this material,
and the new dress loses its first freshness \ little
dust neeesSitates a slight brushing and a dark
rough-loOking cloud appears, which, like the
blood spot i'll the Macbeth family, will not out.
A splash of mud leaves an unSightly reminder,
and in few weeks the garment is in condition
decentralization, and the owner finds herself at
the end ofa few such experiences the poSse5sor of
lot of tawdry, make-believe tinery, not arti-
Gle of which is useful for reconstruction or repair
Her neighboTs dress which is of the better mate
rial has been sprinkIcd by rains and spIashed by
the feet of careless promenaders exposed to damp
ness unlimited, and is still rich and elegant, and
every part available for an indefinite amount of
making over, if the owner wishes IT. and all be-
cause it is silk instead of chemicals.
| The markets are full of fine, genuine, honest
fabrics, and could these penny-wise, pound-foOish
sisters of ours be induced to invest therein they
would be the possessors of handsome and reliable
garments and would have less "b bad luck" to
complain of.
Silks are the most exasperating of all goods for
fine wear and give the least satisfaction for the
money
Wooden goods are just now in the ascendant, and
are strictly in order for dress occasions. Drap
d'Alma, fine French merno, and some of the
chOicer grades of camel's hair are coming into
general demand for evening wear. They drape
more gracefully, fit better. and give much finer
effect to good figure than their shining and more
obtrusive neighbors.
Cheap cloakingS too loosely woven to be dura-
BILE, and will drag out of shape upon the slightest
provocatiOn.
Cheap gloves are absolutely inexcusable and an
abomination in the sight of ladies of taste. The
discrimination and tact used by the average
Frenchwoman in the selection of her boots and
| gloves might well excite the emulation and envy
of her sisters on this side of the water. think I
might have very grievous heartburnings were
my rival to confront me arrayed in royal velvet,
point lace, and diamonds, but no more of trouble
would roll across my peaceful breast if she sailed
proudly by, respondent in cotton-backed velvet,
| imitation laces, and paste jewels.