Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-04-29

J
wholly of steel. The foundation is fine
steel net work and it is finished with steel
flowers and feather-like ornaments. But
some one will say, docs not steel rust,
and what then?" To this 1 answer that
the finer qualities do not, but on the other
hand, they are very costly. So the moral
is, if you do not regard expense, indulge
in this fashionable fancy; if you do, let
steel alone. Furthermore, I do not believe
it to be lasting. 1t will be ''high style''
for a time and then vanish.
EVERY THING THAT SHINES.
Steel is quite as much sought after for a
finish on costumes as in millinery while
touches or traceries of steel are intermixed
with other metals or with materials both in
trimmings and elsewhere. Fashionable
people however, are running after every
thing that shines. Jet is in great demand
because it glitters, and gilt for the same
reason. Then there are beautiful combi-
nations of three or more quiet unitings of
gilt and jet or jet and steel Beaded en-
broideries are favorite way of placing
these finishings, but it is thought excep-
tionally stylish to put. Independent orna-
ments made of them on different parts of
the costume. In fact, this is leading idea
of the time, that of placing ornaments
about at intervals upon the dress. Pretty
designs, such as butterflies, flowers, leaves,
ETC.. are simulated and bought IN any
desired number, and bestowed as fancy
may incline. One can easily see now the
way is opened to tasteful fancies not a
few. Sometimes the butterflies are al
lowed to flap their wings as if alive with
bodies sewn to the dress and leaves and
flowers rustic as in nature. But trimmings
of the material are in as much vogue as
ever and are made in the same way as
formerly; in side or box plaitings, rulings.
shirrings, puf1fngs, etc. Here too the idea
of trimmings placed at intervals obtains
for costumes of plain goods are often re-
lieved by plaitings of stripes. sewn on
wherever one may choose. Independent
basques of striped fabric are now begin
ming to replace brocades and like them are
convenient to finish out a costume of plain
| material. -a.. .5-
MATERIALS AND COSTUMES.
The infection Of plaids and stripes has
| spread to grenadines which appears in
| checks. columns and interlacing squares of
| every size. Silks too, are oftenJimes
| striped and plaided in colors gay beyond
| description, where no combination is too
comes up again but newer goods of much
the same character are called DWELLINGS,"
They are often in solid colors, black, dark
or pale, but sometimes are brought out
woolens are indeed a feature of the times
and are either open work or plain woven
and trimmed with plaids,- or stripes. A
pretty costume in this style. recently made
up for Nine. Gerster. was of pale 'scoach-
mans drab'' yelling united with blue dot
| ted satin. The Pamela" basque was
shirred at the waist in the middle of the
front and back and Ornamented with a
wide turn over collar and full drapery
and waist bow of satin; the skirt was
trimmed with alternate gathered ruffies of
satin and bunting headed with putting
around the drapery and across The front,
the design being after the Celestine model.
Another dress for the same prlma donna
was ssTheon costume of striped silk with
dark olive green skirt. The polonaise
was of the silk which was a combination
of bright colors and showed the front and
side cores cut off to about the depth OF an
ordinary cuirass basque, below this being
a plated scarf drapery across the front
and the back draped in an lrregularly
graceful manner. The neck was hnlsned
by a Dauphin collar and cuffs and the
gored skirt was covered on the front and
sides with horizontal shirrings. The
Olivette polonaise was selected for morn
ing dress of fine bingham trimmed with
one of the new colored embroideries men
toned in my last letter as very fashlona-
BILE this spring. ~ .9.1.
SURPRISED BY NOTHING.
Nothing now surprises us IN outdoor
wraps. Fashion makes desperate efforts
in this direction and all sorts of things are
the result. You meet lady wearing an
independent basque, box plated and belted
in at the waist with scarlet hood. 1t IS
fashionable The next wears a jacket:
that is fashionable; the next visite; the
next a redingote; the next a paletot; the
next a circular; the next a pelisse: the
next an ulster; the next mantelet; the
next a mantilla; the next cape. All are
fashionable. Then comes the Mother
Hubbard pelisse, falling straight around
the person, demi-long. shirred at the neck
and with shirred sleeves, while there are
unmistakabe ''coats" copied after those
worn by gentlemen. Now when | go on
to say that each name have given is pat
rlarchal in its Specification and represents
a whole family of garm ents bearing gen
eral resemblance but differing notably in
special features, some idea can be found
of the variety Of street coverings. In 2d-
dition. there are the differences brought
about by the employment of different ma
terials. AS to minor varieties, let us take
for example. the jacket tribe. Hero we
have double breasted with turned down
collar and hood; others cut away in front
and turned back with revers; others with
vests; others tight fitting; others iongs
others short, straight and ! know not
what, while others again, called Langtry
Casaques, have the Capuchin hood on the