Morning journal and courier., 1882-07-17
Modera, English Dress.

The united efforts of Mir. Worth and the apostles of preraphaelism, although each would be mortified to be spoken of in the same breath with the other, seem to have created revolution in the dress of English women. They have learned the value of correct combinations, the fitness of fabrics, and they no longer regard starch as an i'm portant accessory to the entire success of lawn and lace. It is foregone conclusion that certain number of women will cling to 8 peony red Victoria blue, and grass green, through every vicissitude of fortune and fashion, and therefore embraced with enthu- siasm the ''electric" blue, which is vivid shade of one of the medium hues, and is as assertlve and becoming as 1t is possible for a color to be. It is for these women that the aniline dyes are brought to the front, women that have neither delicacy of perception nor tineness of taste, but who demand that every thing prepared for them be highly colored and drawl in broad lines. This class, how ever, Is an increasing minority, and the larg- CT number of women in society choose the delicate half tints, the low tones and hints of color shown in drawn pink, ashes of roses, porcelain blue, Hchen green and lime blo5- | som. White gowns are in high favor also, not only among the young people but with the older ones as well. It has taken long time for the well-regulated English matron to understand that she may wear white with as good effect as her young daughters, and no
  covery. They began, just as Americans did, l with plque, but the stiff opacity of that ma | terial made it undesirable and unbecoming that its use dress material was soon giv- l en over, and it's place taken by soft India muslin, guiltless of starch or dressing, soft surahs and silks, cashmere and batiste. These, made into clinging robes with yielding | draperies, and trimmed with profusion ot lace are the favorite toilets this summer oi the British women, young and middle aged who no longer try to look ''smart," but have | really an ambition to be well dressed. Al the Ascot races this new impulse was exem plified, and the racing was altogether nor, tas' eful and elegant, although less showy than 1t has ever been before. White ant cream -colored reigned supreme, while afte
 these came the soft neutral shades that wer
 noted above. AS for gloves, they were long CT than ever, while sleeves were shortened
 to accommodate them. It was nothing ur
 usual to see gloves reaching far above tn
 elbow, while at the Grand Prix in Paris the
 were worn so long as to reach a sleeve tha
 measured only three inches from the shoul
 der But the browning glory of the English
 woman's toilet this season is her parasol.
 indicates at once her fashionable standip
 and the depth of the family purse. It mus
 be large and it must be profusely trimme with lace sometimes the lace about the edg Is so deep that 1t forms a sort of canopy
 which has to be caught back to enable tn well protected owner to see about her. Si yer handles are the most fashionable, a though mother of pearl and enamel are nc despised. Those who can afford it have tn handles set with jewels to match the toilet One woman carries, with violet costume, a amethyst colored parasol, the handle bein set with the stones from which the color } named. With white gown she carried white parasol, lined with turquoise blue, he pet name being inscribed in turquoises o the white ivory cross which formed the har 3 dle. American women will have to look t , their laurels, or their English sisters wi F quite outdo them in elegance and extravi s Rance.