Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-07
LADIES' PATCHWORK.
SUBJECTS OF INTEREST IN THE
HOME CIRCLE.
Taking Thought for the Morrow in
Matters of Dress and
the Table.

Just at this season Of the year the task
Of the fashion chronicler is not an easy
one There is nothing new to record
How can one write about last years birds
nests? Who would read it? No one
cares about what has been worn 1t Is only
what is to be, and as yet Dame Fashion
has not set forth her fiat for the coming
season. The Revue de Ia MOde says the
choice Of trimmings is exceedingly varied.
A great deal of velvet ribbon is used, but
the embroidered braids are also very pref
ty. They are to be had in all colors inter-
woven with gold. On dresses and nantes
clasps and brooches of antique silver, cut
steel and mother-of-pearl are largely en-
ploved, as they have been ever since full
plastrons came into fashion. Clasps are Of
all sizes and styles, consisting of plates OF
metal richly chased or enameled, or Of
other delicate workmanship. Some of
them are very handsome. 1t gives pretty
finish to toilet, whether for grown-up
person or a child, to place one of these
clasps to close the gathers at the neck and
another at the waist. Indeed, with full
plastron, either clasp or ribbon sash Is
Indispensable Ornamental pins are also
quite a rage. Instead of ladies taking
pains as formerly to conceal, and if posi-
BILE render the fastening on of pins, bows
or flowers quite invisible, the charming
pins of the present fashion are used with
sort of coquettish grace, so that they ap-
pear with most distinguished effect from
their half-hiding places, and according to
their style and finish form more or less
valuable ornament.
For walking and visiting dresses the
plain skirt of plush or velvet holds prom
inent place. \ new material has appeared
for the tunics and polonaises. This is 4
soft and delicate wooden fabric of any
shade studded with small spots or loops Of
chenille in a different color 1t is very
beautiful material, having a shot effect at
little distance, and it drapes very grace
fully; the tablier is usually of this chenille
fabric and sometimes the corsage also with
full plastron of plush or velvet. Or else
the bodice is like the plain skirt, with full
plastron of the spotted material.
Dresses of black lace made over petit
coats of celored satin are still most extern
sivelv worn. All shades of yellow, from
straw to bright orange, are much patron
lied, and have superseded the pinlls and
the reds so fashionable Of late. The skirts
are adorned with knots of ribbons, or with
let, and the bodices are Of plain satin,
black or colored, lace trimmed or covered
with lace.
Long, tight-fitting redingoteS are adapted
for morning wear; they are made Of cloth
and trimmed with velvet
Very long mantles, reaching almost to
the edge of the dress are numerous, and
vary in their details and in their degree of
elegance. Some models are quite tight
fitting. others are semi-ftting, and there
are mantles with plaits in the back. Some
are open in front showing glimpse of the
brightlv-colored silk lining. The short
clQse-fitting Jacket of cloth or corduroy re
mains in great vogue.
The great success of the moment is the
corsage with train of silver cloth, the front
of the skirt being Of tUlle with raised de-
sign of silver-wrought embroidery repre-
senting thistles.
Another of the novelties in vogue is the
bodice without sleeves, cut very low,
shawl-shape back and front. As adorn-
ment a drapery of tulle, which is attached
to the left shoulder and crossing the bodice,
forms scarf-drapery on the right hip,
where it is fastened with silver butterflies
and diamond ornaments. Satin shoes with
diamond agrafe, silk stockings adorned on
the instep with silver-wrought thistles
Seen at the Italians a charming opera
cloak of brocade. clusters Of raised velvet
roses on a hesh-colored ground. This cloak
was very short behind and cut to the
figure, while the sleeves were very long in
front
Oriental pearls are the most fashionable
ornament this season.
FASHION AND COMMON SENSE.
If there is one locality more than an
other where the voice Of common sense IS
never listened to it is in that very extern
sive one where Fashion reigns. Who ever
thinks of listening to the suggestions Of
the former when the decree Of the latter
potentate has gone forth Tight sleeves
for the ladies, and tight combinations for
the gentlemen is the fashion, supp0sIng.
The advocates Of common sense protest,
saving, it is impossible TO move ones limbs
I'm them; | cannot bend the knee before
the portrait Of my tondest hopes, says one
cannot get my hands TO the back OF my
head, saws another, which IS far more I'M
portant And Fashion replies, | cannot
satisfy all tastes. Ny laws are mostly
made for the uuretlecting; II YOU reflect
You viii never be satisfied. That which
YOU complain of now is only temporary
Inconvenience; when ! cannot longer
tighten iu,vour limbs, sleeves and leggings
will take such ample proportions that the
real size of an arm or leg VIII he SUBJ
ject for diyination. Fashion has 40 re-
spect Of person; if high heels are intro
duced for the benefit of short people, low
heels are never introduced at the same
time for people who are already taller than
they care to be. The latter must wait
their turn for the opposite fashion, and
then unusually short persons must have
their boots made to order II they wish to
reach up to the elbow Of their superiors in
hight. or submit to he looked upon as
dwarls by tall people If they prefer to keep
IN the fashion
Fashion pretends to have an eye for
beauty if this be true, she enacts at least
that all her followers be modelled after the
same fashion. They must have heads and
faces Of uniform size and shape that the
hat or bonnet Of the season may become
them all, and they must have uniform
tint of complexion, that the color q la
mode may suit 1t. Those who study fash
ION in dress AT the expense of their per
sonal comfort are surely wanting in COM
mon sense, yet we most Of us do so, and 1t
seems rs though we like doing so, since the
fashionable and uncomfortable article is
preferred to the questionable and COM
Portable one, though it may cost more than
double the price Of the latter.
Common sense suggests that in not
weather clothing for both sexes should be
light in texture and color; but If Fashion
ordains that ladies' dresses be heavily
trimmed, and if she refuses to give her
consent to garments Of a summary nature
being introduced for gentlemen, no one
n OFT "a, nor