The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-16


race course on Grand Prix Day. AT one MN
ute the uninltiated male observer would adj
mire cluster OF Directore bonnets, tight fit
ting, high. wasted robes,and arfuliy construed
costumes of the "sweet implicitly type, The
next moment his attention would be attracted
by an equally fashionable no doubt, but strong.
~ contrasting display of Spanish taste broad.
brimmed, round hat, the falling beaded fringe
of which would almost conceal the wearer S
features, black satin bcjetted costume, hugh
fan and lace mantilla thrown over the should.
ers. The great and laudable object seemed to
be to achieve plcturesqueness in whichever
particular mode the female form divine was
alfred. The dressmaking art had evidently
run loose on all countries and all periods, and
if at times the combinations were somewhat
incong ruous the effect was rarely unsatisfac.
tory.
The fashion of wearing real flowers In every
conceivable position has assumed IN this capi-
tai the proportions of a mania. The tendency
is c0mmendable tor what more beautiful con-
trast to a costume OF the prevailing ivory hue
can be imagined than rich bouquet Of Grim
son rosebuds surrounded by their natural love
ly foliage? Hats, fans, parasols are heavy
with punches of tasteiully selected flowers,
the latest fashion beng to choose some grace
full and, if possible, little known species, with
which to surprise and charm the observer. 1t
is needless to say that we are almos: daily
treated to some new discovery in the way of
color, displaying as much ingenuity in the
name given as in the choice Of the tiAt itself
Thus the hues are known as "rouge du roI,"
lava" "vicux mur," terra d'Afrique," "sand
color" and "fez," together with the many prev
alent "narmces' of ivory and orange, afford
ample scope for selection by the fair wearers,
be they blondes, brunettes, auburn haired or
endowed with golden resses. may add that
the fashion Of shading such articles as fans
and parasols with the tints displayed IN the
costume still obtains and one of the preltiest
toilets at Longchamps the other day, all gray
from bonnet to shoes, was enhanced by large
deep parasol, the silk of which was finely shad,
ed from black at the edges through dark and
light gray to white at the top AS the seaside
and country season is now upon as, attention
is diverted from the elaborate and often gaudy
toile,,cs suitable for Paris to the simpler if
equally lngenius and artistic costumes reaui-
site for the Jatns de mer or the Pyrenees. For
these such light material as batiste, surat and
tussore still hold their own lending themselves
to every conceivable combination of style and
mc0h.
AS regards head gear taste seems equally d.
vlded between the finest OF onnets and the
hugest of beplumed hats, though, with the
prospect of several months of binding sun,
the balance is likely to turn in favor of the
latter style, of which, perhaps, the stately
Monsquitalre hat, profusely ornamented with
flowing ostrich feathers, is the most effective
illustration
Before closing these remarks must mentioa
the dress worn by handsome widow bride at
whose wedding assisted" this week. This
striking toilette--indescrlb IN detail
by any but a practical hand-was COM
posed of ivory satin, the skirt, nounces and
tram trimmed with old lace, falling In thick
profusion over the rich material OF the dress.
This charming attire, completed hy tiny,
closehtting bonnet of natural wild flowers and
plain pearl ornaments, produced an effect that
an artist would have been pleased to repro
ducc. ! will terminate bv offering piece of
advice which now, more than ever applies TO
the followers of Paris fashions: BE original
and be picturesque"