The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-03
For the Farmer and Mechanic.
NEW YORK FASHIONS.
New Materials; Trimmings;
Oowagers In Doubt; Wraps.


''Sunhower' dress, that IS, costume
where three or four large sunhower.
embroidered on solid wool surface
constitute the entire ornamentativss
Most OF these peculiar outfits show the
sunhower IN some moiifei t!nt>, at all
events an fleet OF Il nldnoss' is care
fully avoided sine t.,uy arc iutenIeG
Tor wealthy purchasers, Wnile choice
Is given Wy sluliar wovls adorned with
three or four large boquets of embroid
cred flowers, roses, chrysanthemums,
etc. OF course the style of making must
correspond and usually one or more is
made to show in front aud another at
the back especial care being taken to
have one on the left side of the corsage,
the chosen spot where repose the nam
moths punches of flowers which are such
a feature of the day. AS can be sup
posed, these classes of goods are inten-
ded to please such butterfly buyers as
can sport from one thing to another with
little thought Of expense. More con.
servative people will select from among
the checks, stripes, modest brocades,
plain goods and goods where all are
printed in ever varying diversity. Very
stylish will be suits of plaia wool illum>
ined by braids and buttons. This is
because very small bullet shaped buttons
have become popular rage. Large
ones are defunct Except for Jackets or
redingotes) and grand rush is made in
an opposite direction for substitutes
which glow on solid surfaces either
harmonizing or contrasting. Chiefly Of
metal, they are colored to suit the times
aud flash green, red, yellowish, blush
and other fashionable lights, while the
fitness of things has suggested a
combination of braids that has pro-
duced set of military costumes adap-
ted to satisfy the strongest minded aspi
rant. These braids appear in rows up
fronts, around edges, in epaulets on
shoulders ETC., while the bullet button
comes in as a terminative. Medium
sized, fat buttons are however we'll nigh
a necessity tor fastening corsages and
so we have them. Lace is very pop
ular trimming; not black ,.lone but COLI
ored to suit costumes. Tarasols are
edged with it, and Of laces in millinery
there are endless combinations. Spanish
patterns lead, and now their materials
in silk or wool are wrought throughout
in Spanish designs. They will be very
pretty for overdresses, parts ofcostumes
ETC., and many will be the pretty worn
silk or satin that can thus be trans
formed and imposed upon ones ac-
quaintances as recent purchase.
Grenadines are so heavily laden with
brocaded figures that they scarce seem
grenadines but the rather brocaded
silks.
DOUBTING DOWAGERS.
Dowagers stand in doubt as they sur
vey the short costumes OF the day.
There is fancy for having them quite
short and trains or demi-trains are con
spicuously absent from spring openings.
What is to be done respecting those
portly DANES who need skirt prolonged
out to counterbalance too we'll developed
circumference? Fashion for the pres
ent has forgotten them; they dare not
show their feet /; the picture would be
distressingly ludicrous, and 50 they
stand in doubt. Necessity knows nc
fashion to the contrary, notwlthstand-
ing this peculiar class will wear long
dresses and perhaps demitrains.
Younger and more slender beauties are
delighted it is supposed they have
pretty feet and with an aesthetic stock
ing of greenish yellow or yellowish
green. with shoes to show them off,
what may not be expected ? But space
fails me to discourse more largely Oh
this topic. In Lord q Taylor 5
spring catalogue you will find both es
saws and illustrations which will tel
Won more thai could In many columns.
There is an article on every topic, and
my only objection to your getting hold
of this little book is that you will learr
so nj uch that you may no longer care tC
read my letters. Then what shall dc
SPRING WRAPS.
Mantillas proper and the mantilla
family in general are made of dral
d etc, cashmere, sicilienne or satin, and
trimmed with lace or fringe. Strange
to say, too, the spring breezes have not
sounded the death knel of the Ions
| cloaks and we see them IN lighter sty lie:
almost enveloping the figure. Here il
an especial manner are brought forward
those elegant classes OF large figured
brocades which have been employed
during the winter for thicker garment,
| of similar char acter. Waddlng or furry
Innings are replaced by light flannel o.
satinette while on the outside finisl
i. given BY rich pas.amenterles, cord
or laces. There are jackets likewise
and redingote. hnt these are for the
most part in mixed cloths Travelling
ulsters are both loose and tight tittlns
and the former is an improvement, no
only because of change from th'
rigidity of the masculine and tight ut
ting redingote but for the reason that |
is more easily put on: being farther
more less likely to crulnple the dress.
! ROSAJJND MAY