Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-22
THE EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

A.
SOE-scMB Observation-Disclosures STOCKINGS,
ETC.
correspondence OF the Ere,ainq Start
NSw YORK, January 81.
This Is the intermediate season when fashion
apparently Is at a standsttll; the winter novel
ties are exhausted. and 1t Is too soon to think
OF spring, especially with the thermometer be-
low zero. and the "beautiful" black ''snow"
banking up every thoroughfare In New York
city. Still this month is not without its uses,
nor Its fashions" either. both for the house.
the nrst this is the renovating season, and the
time for buying remnants, odds and ends, and
novelties or all sorts are now to the front
g0lng at .haii price II you do not mind being
now buy a coat for next winter for almost moth
Ing, and beautiful dress goods that have taken
the lead In design and texture for at least half
the price they brought month ago. OF course
next winter they Will De what is called "Od
fashioned:" but II soft to the touch, ana pretty
to look az wise and thrifty house Wives need
linen. and repienishes the STOCK of un 1erclothes
which show rents and tears In surprisingly
snort time. Ourgreatgreat grandmothers would
De aghast at the damage one seasons wear can
erect IN these dainty musllnS and ltneus,
ruffes and laces. In the Way of table linen
there are many novelties; the finest table cloths
shd napkins are decorated with artistic en-
DfOldely Ia c0lOrS and the open patterns OF
Drawn work; the embroidery aud Open work
form double border around the table, and
there Is sometimes center piece 10 the colored
work. Cream, ccru and buff cOi hS are most in
lav0r for luncheon and breakfast tables. For
dinner tables the snowy daInask Is preferred;
these come with large scenes, such as harvest.
ing OF game IN their native haunts, framed In
q meoalllOn In the center. with broad border
finished like satin.
In ladies' underwear there Is always some
thing new; just at this season linen or muslin
does not enter very much into the construction
OF these mysterious garments; the most stylish
ladies wear q little short petttcoat, drawers and
waist OF sky blue or pale pink flannel trimmed
broidered with white silk; then a longer petti
coat OF black satin lined with bright colored
plush for day dress, and for evening or dinner
white muslin petticoat with pleaJed tiounces
edged With lace forming balaVeuSe.
Society trips the light fantastic during these
dark and gloomy months and tries to throw a
little brightness over life; balls, private and
public, are therefore the thing; dinners, recep-
uons afternoon teas. and weddings follow each
other In rapid succession. 1t Is almost time to
hear OF the ''ArlOn" and "Liederkrantz" and
the various other academy balls, which
bring out the pretty bal mosques costumes For
all these occasions there are many exquisite
tOilettes.
In the aItistically arranged show windows
and evening wraps displayed this week. One Of
the dresses is especially rich and appropriate
for almost any occasion that low neck bodice
neck with sleeves just below the ei5,w. the Sae
material ia black satin and the trimming the
richest kind Of silk embroidery in the most
6 brilliant hres the designs being leaves and
across the front in two strips, each almost ten
inches wider, is brought heart shape around the
neck, and finishes the sleeves. The waist is q
quite plain, except a small pleated ruill5
around the edge of the traine, which is
square: On the bottom OF the front are
three similar ruffies; the sleeves and neck are
q m otd a Dn r,
bouquet OF rich red and yellow roses. There
is In the same window two opera wraps some.
what similar In design, being short sacques
with dOlman sleeves and pointed moods: IheY
are both made OF cream-colored satin brocads.
one with White ostrich feather trimming the
other With rich chenille fringe and pearl tas-
sels. Another beautiful evening dress OF hello
trope satin and brocade, with pearl trimmings,
attracts the attention OF all passers. Although
all these to1ietteS are high In the neck, lead
Ing modlste Is making many square and heart
with gold is favorlte combination for ball
dresses this season. This is seen In the heavy
white satin and gold brOcades. and In the white
, s1 With gold beading or cloth OF gold worn
Plush Is the faVorite material for young ladies'
opera cloaks and some very simple shapes,
such as the circular, with Inside fronts, or else
plain circulars are most convenient for these.
Long, undress, kid gloves, with buttons or
without, and wr1nkled on the arm, are used on
full-dress occasions. These and the wide lace
scars, tied In huge bows under the chin. are
Sarah Bernhard caprices that are certainly only
becoming to very thin ladies, but they are,
never theless, very universally adopted.
1t Is absolutely necessary that stockings
should match the dress, of whatever shade. A
specially Of hosiery is MADE by some firms who
show One OF the most varied ana superb assert.
meIts OF these dainty luXur1es. Some have a
pattern inserted In the instep and ankle OF
point de Aler con, Duchesse or Valenciennes
lace with elaborate silk clOcking Others In
silk and cobweDy Lisle thread are In most deli.
cate flesh pink. salmon pink. polo blue, catseye
purple, crimson, red and carnatlOn. bright gold
or sea green. These are called jard,nieae stock
iDgs. from the exquisite embrOideries In sprigs
and garlandS which adOrn them