Milford chronicle., 1883-05-25
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER.

ant as weekly price lists of market quotations
and women are as eager to learn about the new
shades and texture of dress fabrics as they arr
of their cost. Fashion plays a more import
part in the distribution of dress goods than form
srly, because of the increased wealth of cOnsum
ers enabling them to purchase cOster fabric
and Of the improved taste and tendency Of thu
masses for finer fabrics, growing out Of the mort
rapid communication between large cities anC
rural communities. The mysterious origin anC
quick diffusion Of the DEGREES OF fashion are pas
finding out; but when fashion does decree
thing, the result is unalterabe. Hence this dis
QUESTION on styles.
The Jersey" silk gloves are preferred to lac'
mitts; they come well up over the arm, "iollow
ing the mousQuetaires in the race for the shoul
der" Pretty Isle thread Jersey gloves range II
price from 90 cents to 50 per pair. While gltve'
are very long sleeves for full dress are exceeding
ly short.
High sleeves and high collars, the long pointed
basque and the robe cut away from the hips re-
main the feature in summer styles Lace upon
day dresses is very popular. Striped checked
shot, and repped silks are much worn; SO Is vel
veteen and velvet brOcaded grenadne. The
Jersey cloth costumes are very stylish. tan
colered stocklnet dress has pointed skirt with
a satin killing eight inches wide around the bot
tom. The overdress is tunc shaped, aud tab
bow Of satin at the back.
Linen band collars have two button-hOes near
the upper edge, through which narrow ribbon is
run and tied in long lOOped bow.
This is ribbon season, flats, bows, and rOs
ettes being worn on all parts of the dress, the
bonnet, aud the wrap or mantle.
Little capes aud small maniles are the rage
There Is a tendency to wear colored mantles in
preference to black this season. or black velyel
gauze mantles. lined with co'Or, but all black
mantles are by no means discarded MantiIlas
will be worn this summer. but they differ IT,
shape from the old manIilla which was high on
the arms; these are really only large points and
can very well be utilized for OverskIrts. The
prevailing characteristic of one Of he neweSI
models Of manIles, known as tile "COntessa," Is
being much shorter at the back than in front.
The materials for one of these mantles may be
of brOche, siicienne, grenadine broche, or velve
gauze; either Of the latter would he lined with
silk or satin. The fronts are mantelet shape long
and forming point when j iued in the centre.
The sleeves form poplum point at tue sides,
and are fitted to the shoulder by seam shaped
to The upper part OF the arm. holes. The back
seam is shorter, aRd has centre seam carryinI
II to the waist. The wrap is trimmed with very
elegant pa,srmenterie pendants and hanging
cords, and bordered with silk ruchng heading
a fall of real black lace.
CUOred lace is much used for trimmings Of
gardcn.psriy toilets. 1t is made in gray, olive,
terracoita, copper, strawberry, dark green. and.
in fact, nearly every shade. This trimming looks
hest when put on rather full, and at It's poorest
advantage when turned up from beneath an
edge and laid fiat, rs occasionally is seen on the
basque OF a bodice Basques more popular these
dresses are pointed in 'front.' cut away on the
hips, and made square at the back, where they
are heavily trimmed with ribbon aud lace in or
der to give the bunched.out effect, now so lndis
pensable, Just below the waist.
To ladies residing out OF this city. hints con-
cerning colorS aud combinations are often times
as important as information concerning fabrics,
trimmings and other acc, ssOnss Of the toilet
Most leading houses take the utmost pains to give
gratuilous information by mail upon cOmpli- |
Gated points which perpex purchas+r TO whom
the goods and the ground is unfamiliar.
Recently friend of mine in passing through !
the city, desired TO visit the great dry.gOOds ba-
saars for days shopping. It was stormy,
snowy. disa agreeable day, and, her time being |
limited, not much was accomplished. Since then |
she writes from her home in Ohio. as follows
"On my return home l sent to Lord 4 TaylOr'S |
and the other stores in New York Tor samples |
and from them we really have better chance;
o make good selections than in the stOre." The |
advantage claimed in shopping without the ex-
pense and worry of shopping tour surprised |
me but Lord 4 Taylor, corner Of 10th Street |
and Brordway, inform me that prominent ladies |
all over the land do their shopping with them in |
this manner, and they send samples of any kind |
of goods requested and furnish estimates This. |
famous house has brought the science Of dress
making to a fne art, and many Of the costumes !
worn by noted ladies. who grace the ietes Of the
creme de le creme of New York, Washington
and other prominent cities, are designed and ex-
ecuted by them, their mOdistes only requiring
an accurate measure in fitting out purchasers nt
a distance More anon. CLARA.
EDIroRs CHRONICLE: Il is a real pleasure to go
into the country IN she Spring, to breathe the