Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-29
THE FASHIONS.
SOME NOVEL SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR
LADY READERS.

SOME NOVEL SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR
LADY READERS.
Summer Gowns-Evening Dresses-Milli-
merry Conceits-cats Heads-Para'ols-
Preserving cOrsage bouquets
Correspondence Of the Richmond plspatchl
NEW YORK, August %, 1886.
Among the Deatest and showiest
summer gowns are those which are
shown gaInished entirely with embrOid-
ery. the forms being flowers, and the
colors, sometimes natural and some
times selfcolor with the gown. Light
colored batistes are made up in this
way. the patterns being worked with
floss silk q triAe lighter than the mate
rial of the dress. Chambery, lawn,
and muslin are treated in the same
manner. and the effect is always deli
cate and graceful. For these suits the
new French batistes form excellent
materials. Some Of them come in pretty
designs on buff or. lavender grounds,
and some are absolutely covered with
embroidery. Such dresses are made
with polonaises, full basques, and deep
Spanish founces.
A novel fancy in evening dresses
shows the bodice OF chsmois-skin. This
waist is made to fit perfectly. and is
cut decoHette it fastens down tho front
with large jewelled buttons, and is
trimmed with lace and velvet a shade
darker than the skin Of which 1t is
made. This style Of bodices is also
shown in undressed kid.
A dainty bonnet, having brown
straw horseshoe frame. has the crown
covered with jet beads, around which
great pufs Of fine chantilly lace are
formed, making the crown very tall.
The brim is bordered with lace ruching,
which is mingled with little bows OF
dark-colored satin ribbon, which is
formed into a huge cluster in front,
crowned with an aigrette Of the same
color.
Speaking Of millinery, there is place
in Blocker street which prepares birds,
wings, feathers, tips, &C., for the milli-
merry market. A short time since an
advertisement appeared in the daily
papers, issuing from this place and
offering so cents per dozen for kittens
from seven to nine days old. The ex-
PLANTATION was as much surprise as the
advertisement. The dealer asserted that
he was about to institute the fashion
here, which prevailed during the last
season in Paris and throughout Ger
many, Of wearing CATS heads upon
ladies' bonnets, He asserted them to
be, when prepared for the purpose, SUI
perior in appearance to the tips, heads,
or wings in use, and was confident of a
good supply of these peculiar hat-trim-
miDgs.
At the Grand Prir races Paris this
year a somewhat peculiar material was
displayed by several ladies present at
the festivities. This stuff was made Of
wool, in a sort of changesble blush.
green color, and had velvet figures
raised upon its surface representing
the heads aud names Of horses, the
names being of silver thread. One
handsome raciDg-costume shown was
in black Chantilly lace made up over
an underdress Of changeable silk in
light-blue and red. The corsage con-
sisted of SHRED lace. On one OF the
great English racing days the costumes
worn were CHIEFLY in woOllen materials,
striped and plain. Serges and foulards
were worn by many of the ladies', and
the costumes we're conspicuous for the
plainness of their shapes.
Many Of the fashionable parasols are
made Of lace over a silk lining, with
very deep lace hounce,, which almost
hide the wearer's face. These lices are
made in circular patterns, and are really
very delicate. They are made in every
color, ecru and black being, however,
the most frequent. A knot Of ribbon
tied so as to fall from the top over one
edge gives them jaunty air. Some
fine satin parasols are seen the SUR
faces of which are hand-painted. The
designs are usually flowers, and some
times the lady's own talent is exercised
in their production. Other fancy para
soils are covered with a network Of
bead or jet trimming. A pretty shape
shows the ribs so arched as to make the
parasol depressed in the centre.
For seaside use pink seems to be the
tint. The costumes are made
in every variety Of material, but no
garnishment is permitted with the ex-
ception of white lace. Some Of them
are made with deep pink surah slips,
with an illusion over-dress, forming
airy and graceful costumes.
For those ladies who are troubled to
preserve the freshness of their corssge
bouquets during the length of an eve
ming spent in a warm, close ballroom,
I would suggest the following expe-
dent Before using the flowers, if you
have time, place them in water in which
q little powdered charcoal has been put.
The charcoal will collect in q sediment
at the bottom of the vessel, but if the
flowers are placed in the water for a
short time, they will retain their fresh
ness and fragrance for several days.
A beautiful evening dress, recently
is made in amber satin and
tulle of the same color. The bodice is
Of amber velvet, cut decollette, and
with strap-sleeyes. The open space in
front is partly filled with white lace.
The bodice is cut to a point in front,
and is made high over the hips. 1t
laces up the back. The skirt has long
circular train, and its foundation is
yellow satin, over which tulle is draped
in puffs and folds all down the front.
White satin slippers, with bows Of ar:-
Der satin amber silk stockings, long
Suede gloves and magnificent fan OF
white feathers, and amber sticks are
used with this costume.
Red muslin, sprinkled with little
cream. colored specks all over it, forms
the material for q neat morning-dress.
The muslin skirt is arranged in hollow
plaits. The front of the dress is made
in the popular apron form, and it is
tastefully trimmed with cream ribbon