Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-11
Fashion Notes.
Paris Letters Fin Casselrs Family Magazine f
 May.

Paris Letters Fin Casselrs Family Magazine for May.]
 It is much to be regretted that the national and peasant dresses are rapidly becoming things of the past It is due in a great meas ure to the fact that no one nowadays likes to
 have their position in society definitely laid
 down as it is by distinctive dress; every
 one wishes to be taken for other than they are. It is unfortunate. for most of such cos
 tunes are peculiarly well suited to the wants
 and requirements of those who wear them. What bonnet was ever So becoming as the
 Belgi ian women's neat white caps?
 What would be more thoroughly sevicea-
 ble and good-looking than the long gathered black cloth cloak, with it's satin hood, kept
 out at the edge by whaiebone, worn by the women of that country. It cost good many
 pounds to buy, but lasted more than a life time. I have often wondered that it has not been converted into an evening wrap by one of the many enterpising men-dressmakers, who are always ransaeking their fertile brain for something new. The peasant women used to have a rare pride in these cloaks. The subject of dress is one that naturally occupies much of my time and thoughts, and have come to the conclusion that what is the main distinguishing feature of the dress of thes upper class is the perfection of neatness and great care bestowed it's pre- SeFVat1On; US Su1CaD1lCy, not US COSIlln6SS, nor fashion. Now, in such a small matter as the wearing of real flowers, nothing is pret- tier when they are iresh nothing more un- becoming when they are faded. Bear in mind they should be gathered before the sun is on them, better too if the dew is still about. They should be kept in shady place until put on, and at the last minute cut off the tips of the stalks with scissors, and seal them with sealingwax. A drop of strong gum in the center of the flower will help to preserve them.
 Umbrellas we know originated in the sun ny climes of the East, but England is the land of their adoption. tent-pole is said
 to have suggested their form, and it has re- mained pretty much the same since long be- fore the Christian era. Now the frames are nearly all metallic, and hail from Birming- ham. Lapis lazuli ball handles, with gilt claws, are much used just now, and antique and highly-carved ones. White muslin para sols, matching the muslin bonnets, are to be the newest things this year. What a bless ing that we have at last foI1nd something not too costlyl
 There is an indefinite variety in straw bon nets, and much fancy display therein-such as silver and gilt threads introduced in each braid, and beads powdered over the crown and brim of other straws, especially those in dark shades Very fine straw bonnets will
 be worn in such colors as porcelain-blue red,
 lichen green, and drab. The shapes are either princess, coronet, or the small poke, and sev- eral have the pointed-g -gabled brim. When esamine or gauge is used for the soft crowns, the brims are generally made of velvet. For young girls who care to wear inexpen- sive but dressy materials, crepe oriental is worth remembering It is soft and light and crepe, but has @ certain amount Of resistance
 which insures good wear. It is made in a
 long list of light colors, and for summer and
 demi-toilette bids fair to rival the favorite
 nun's-cloth.
 A fashionable article is a tea jacket, made
 mings, as dressy as possible It is thorough
 ly comfortable article, intended to be worn
 for home dinner, either with any convenient
 skirt, or before low bodice is put on, with
 a full dressed evening skirt. Of course the
 tea-jacket is made loose.