Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-11
FOR THE LADIES.
Ill lBoUT THE FASHIONS.

skirss.
Harper's Bazaar, in its current issue,
SAYS The new polonaises, which Ma.
dame Raymond says are only polonaises
in part, are found among the latest
;nportstions Of French dresses. These
are quite varied in design, some OF
them being severe, straight, and stately
looking, while the more boufant and
Youthful styles are also represented.
OF the latter is one pretty and simple
fashion that will be popular, because il
is design that will be useful for
undermining last years dresses.
This is a polcnaisc in the back only,
being merely pointed bodice or close
ly-fitted basque, heightened in the back
by sash-likc drapery tied in one or
two broad, long loops, and below these
there are two ends that hang the whole
length Of the skirt beneath. This IS
handsome in either wool or velvet 1.-THE
two fabrics now most used for cor
ssgesl. and may DO made Of simple
striped fabric which matches IN one oil
its stripes the color OF the basque, or
else the regular sashes may be used, as
these can now be bought in wool or in
velvet, with stripes along one side, or
else q plain ground with stripes forming
,border across each end. This sash polo
naise is handsome in dark wool, with gay
stripes attached to a pointed basque Of
the plain diagonal wool, with vest Of
plastron made Of the stripes. 1t is also
considered very dressy when made Of
black or dark velvet for the pointed
corssge, with cashmere striped velvet
for the sash. With such polonaise
the skirt will be Of plain velvet laid in
few pleats. with wide kilt front, or else
the skirt will have full shirred back,
and there will be deep apron Of the
plain velvet covering the front, turned
inward on the left side, and widely
faced there with the striped goods Of the
sash. This costume is so easily made
that it will commend itself to the
home dressmaker as good design
either for new dresses or for reno
waiting old ones. For instance, velvet
costume of last year can have all its
best parts put into a skirt that has
straight, full-gathered back breadths,
with either wide box-pleat in front,
like that on q boys kilt, or else draped
apron the worn lower parts Of the
basque can be cut Off to make pointed
waist, and the upper part Of the 'front.'
can be renewed by striped velvet
plastron, with revers up each side that
nearly cover the old front part. This
plastron and the sash drapery are all
the new parts required, and can be
made Of four yards Of striped velvet, or
else Of sash, with half yard Of SINH
lar velvet for the plastron, high collar,
and bias fold which forms cuffs inside
the sleeves. Sometimes the gloss of
satin, or Of beaded silk, or of faille fran
caise. is preferred for this plastron be-
cause il is more becoming.
THE COAT PoLONAIsE.
The coat polonaise is more severe
style than that with sash, consisting
Of basque front, with the polonaise
part confined TO the four middle back
forms. which are heightened below the
waist line to make two long flat tabs
that extend TO the foot Of the dress.
These tabs are about half yard wide,
are lined with silk or lining satin
throughout, and if striped need not be
trimmed, but when made Of plain cloth
they are bordered with velvet or with
galloon two or three inches wide. A
pretty fancy for the front Of this garment
is to make the wool goods square Figaro
jacket opening over soft satin vest
that is belted at the waist line and cut
off there. The wool dress patterns that
come partly plain and partly striped
are made up in this way, using the
stripes for the polOnaise and for the
front Of the skirt, which is draped in a
Greek apron that shows plain velvet at
the foot, while the back is made Of two
full-gathered breadths of the plain wool.
Dark plum or navy-blue wool diagonal
with Persian stripes is made up in this
way, with dull red velvet at the foot of
the front breadths, and either plum or
blue satin for the vest. In order to
make the vest warm enough light flannel
is laid over the silesia lining beneath
the satin.
OTHER POLONAIsES.
A third design for polonaises, very
effective when made Of ladies' cloth
over velvet skirt, is really princesse
dress with the fronts turned back from
waist to foot to form very wide revers.
on which cross bands or points of braid
and wood buttons are set. The front |
Of the corsage also turns back in reyers
from the waist up to the shoulders, and
discloses vest Of plush or Of velvet
like that of the skirt. The back is
laid in wide double box-pleats. and |
with braid and wood but
tons, and there are large square peck |
cts on the sides. This polonaise will |
be handsome in brown. black, or blue
cloth, with the plush or velvet skirt
laid in wide box-pleat in front from
the waist TO the foot, while the sides
and back of the foundation skirt have
velvet only at the foot in the small
space visible below the long polonaise.
Still another polonaise is like great
rediDgote, and so nearly conceals the
lower skirt that only very plain skirt
is required, with a narrow pleating Of
he material at the foot. This polonaise
IS long all around and entirely I'M
iraped, being slit up in the skirt to
orm six long fiat tabs, one tab being in
zach front, tab on each side being made
IF combinations Of the two side forms,
While each middle form Of the back ex-
ends in q separate tab. These tabs
ne lined throughout with thin lining
'ilk. and when made Of cloth are bor-
Tered with plated braid two inches
vide. This is good plan for cloth
lresses that are all Of one material, and
will also be used for yelyeteen, cordu-
oy, and plain silk velvet costumes.
The basket cloths and the diagonal
loths that have velvet stripes are also
made in this way over skirt Of plain
10th or Of plain velvet.
DRESS SKIRTS.
The home dressmaker is advised