Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-27
FOR THE LADIES.
SOME or FASHIONS FANCIES,

Tni,sr.Maee Su,,s- Bali Dresses t,ccep'ioa
Ta,ie,s-Childr.n's Dr,ssss- Partisan New
.nrs.
tTimes.l
Ladies do not tire Of tailor-made
suits; on the contrary, the fashion is
becoming more general as the season
advances. The only indication Of ele-
gance in these costumes is in the way
OF lining them. One dress Of gray cloth
has kind of cuirass with the front
pieces crossed. II is trimmed with
deep astrakhan collar and border of
the same. The cloth skirt is sewed to
the lower part Of the basque. 1t is
open up the left side over band of
astrakhan and slightly draped in apron
style. The goods fall in full, even
plaits down the back and over the hips.
Around the lower border Of the skirt
is O band Of astrakhan. The whole
skirt is lined with gray satin in the
shade of the cloth. There is a small
garment now made in large and
fashionable Partisan establishments
called manteau Florentin. This
article is quite new in shape, ma
terial, and color. One is of "ve-
lours frise.'' The straight, gathered
fronts are like q blouse, and reach be-
low the waist to cover third OF the
skirt. These front pieces are fastened
to fat lining, and trimmed with rich
passementerie of wooden beads. The
sleeves are a kind Of pelerine, rounded
over the shoulders. They form the
side-piece of the back. The goods then
fall loose over the arm. The back sits
we'll in to the figure, and terminates
with two huted .plaits lined with
colored satin merSeilleux. The
same passementerie that covers the
inserted piece is taken down the middle
of the back in the shape of hood, and
reaches to the middle of the two fiuted
plaits. Sometimes the passementerle is
taken down either side Of the back. and
between the two bands is a plated
ranel of merveilleux to initiate the
lining of a hood. This garment is also
made of ottoman or black laille, with
the trimming and inserted piece in front
of let or black wooden beads. GalloOn
TO match is on the lower part of the
waist to support the fulness of the
blouse.
Ball dresses are now more than ever
in delicate hues and light textures.
| There are gauzes, "crepe lisse,' and
silk Grape in all shades, but the palest
are preferred and white is most ia
vored. Among the materials tulle is
most seen. Tulle dotted with chenille
is very snowy, but the most brilliant
effect is obtained by illusion dotted with
beads, particularly pearl beads, the size
Of pea. One of these ball dresses is
wholly oftulle and has three skirts. The
two lower skirts are Of plain tulle over
tahetas lining. The third skirt
is of illusion covered with fine pearl
beads. 1t is gathered and has satin
ribbon drawn the hem. The second
skirt or unique is slightly pulled and
fastened on the side under long and
wide satn-ribbon bow. One loop and
one end of the ribbon are embroidered
with field flowers in all colors, and the
remainder Of the ribbon is plain. The
waist may be low in bretelle style, or
open in heart-shape. 1t is covered
with draperies of beaded tulle. Around
the open part in the neck is
pulling with narrow piece Of
satin ribbon drawn through it.
On the lower part of the waist
is a satin-ribbon sash embroidered
with field-howers. . Brillantine, "
combined with crepe, tulle, and gauze,
is used for evening toilets. This mate
rial also serves to support lace drape-
ries. 1t is manufactured in delicate,
soft coloriDg. A toilet of mauve-cOl-
ored brillantine in this style is trimmed
with point lace. The pointed waist
closes down the back and is COW
cred with lace. Po:nt-lace scarfs
are draped over the skirt UNI
der white roses. In addition to
these light tissues there are heavy
silk fabrics and materials COM
biniDg silk and velvet. They usually
serve for the waist, the train, or the
panels on the redingOte. This forms
contrast with the laces, embrOideries,
and beaded network generally used to
trim the round overskirt. The same
STYLE of dress can also have flowers.
bows, and passementerie applique.
Applique work is also much used on
toilets for day wear; it may be in the
color Of the dress or Of black jet. There
are sold for this purpose belts with
dropping ornaments, epaulets, deep col
lars, and plastrons wholly covered with
let work.
A visiting or reception toilet Of black
satin merveilleux and lace has - mer-
veilleux " skirt, with a rather deep lace
flounce and a narrow satin ruille below.
The long oyerdress is full and draped
like an apron. Down the front little
toward the left side are large ribbon
velvet bows. One of these is below
the waist, the other in the centre Of
the skirt, and the third and last over
the nounce of the skirt, and more
to the left than the other two. The
back is only slightly draped, and has
long black ribbon-yclyet loops on the
right side. The meryelleux " waist
is covered with lace. 1t is plated in
front, and has a shell-shaped lace trim
ming down the centre. The tailor-cut
back has three small flaps on the
basque. In the neck is deep lace
plating. The elbow sleeves have lace
ruiiles to match the neck trimming.
AS there are always many children's
entertainments given about this time.
or little later in the season, some de-
scriptions of toilets suited to these oc-
casions may be serviceable, particularly
for ladies who are obliged to make
their children's dresses. Last sum-
mer's white embroidered dresses may
be pressed into service for this pur
pose, with the addition Of jacket or
redngote of pink or blue plush, and a
handsome sash tied in the back. These
jackets and redingotes are high in
the neck and open in front over the
embroidered skirts, or else they are