The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-05-30
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER
New York CITY, J
May %, 'S3.}

eager to learn about the new shades
and texture of dress fabrics as the,
are of their cost. Fashion plays q
more important part in the distribu
ton of dress goods than formerly.
because Of the increased wealth OF
consumers enabling them to pur
chase costlier fabrics and of the i'm.
proved taste and tendency of the
masses for finer fabrics, growing out
Of the more rapid communication
between large cities and rural com
munities. The mysterious origin
and quick diffusion of the DEGREES of
fashion are past finding out; but
when fashion does decree thing, the
result is unalterable. Hence this dis
QUESTION on styles.
The Jersey silk gloves are pre-
ferred to lace mitts; they come we'll
up over the arm, following the
mousquetaires in the race for the
shoulder" Pretty Isle thread Jer-
sey gloves range in price from 60 cts
to 50 per pair. While gloves are
very long sleeves for full dress are
exceedingly short.
High sleeves and high collars, the
long pointed basque and the robe cut
away from the hips remain the fea-
ture in summer styles. Lace upon
day dresses is very popular. Strip.
ed, checked, shot and repped silks
are much worn; so is velveteen and
velvet brocaded grenadine. The Jer
sey cloth costumes are very stylish.
A tan-colored stockinet dress has a
pointed skirt with a satin killing
eight inches wide around the bottom.
The overdress is tunic shaped, with
a tab bow of satin at the back. Lin
en- band collars have two hut,onholes
near the upper edge, through which
narrow ribbon is run and tied in a
long topped bow.
This is ribbon season, fats, bows
aud rosettes being worn on all parts
Of the dress, the bonnet, aud the
wrap or mantle.
Little capes and small mantles are
the rage. There is tendency to
wear colored mantles in preference
to black this season, or black velvet
gauze mantes, lined with color, but
all black mantles are by no means
discarded. Mantillas will be worn
this summer, but they differ in shape
from the old mantilla which was high
on the arms; these are really only
large points and can very we'll util.
lied for overskirts. The prevailing
characteristic Of one of the newest
models of manfles, known as the
"Contessa," il being much shorter at
the back than 10 front. The mater.
Iias for one of these mantles may he
Of hroche, silicienne, grenadine bro
che, or velvet gauze; either Of the
latter would be lined with silk or sa.
tin. The fronts are mantelet shape
long, and forming point when join.
ed in the centre. The sleeves form
a poplum point at the sides, and are
fitted to the shoulder by a seam
shaped to the upper part of the arm.
hole. The back seam is shorter, and
has a centre-seam carrying it to the
waist. The wrap is trimmed with
very elegant passemen'erie pendants
and hanging cords, and bordered
with a silk ruching heading a fall Of
real black lace.
| Colored lace is much used for
trimmings of garden party toilets,
1t is made in gray, olive, terracotta
copper, strawberry, dark green, and
in fact, nearly every shade. This
trim ming looks best when put or
rather full, and at its poorest advan
tage when turned up from beneath
an edge anil laid fat, as occasionally
is seen on the basque Of bodice
Basques more popular for these
dresses are pointed in front, cut
away on the hips, and made square
at the back, where they are heavily
trimmed with ribbon and lace in or
der to give the punched out effect
now so indispensable, just below tb'
waist.
To ladies residing out of this city
hints concerning coIors and comb
nations are often times as importan
as information concerning fabrics
trimmings and other accessories q
the toilet. Most leading houses TAX
the utmost pains to give gratuitou
} information by mail upon complies
J ted points which perplex a purchs
ser to whom the good and the groun
/ is unfamiliar.
, Recently a friend Of mine in pass
ing through the city, desired to Wis