Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-28
Fashion Notes.

Fashion Notes.
China Grape is a popular fabric,
though vests and side-panels Of white
watered silk are good form with velvet
dresses, with plastron of gimp made
Of Oriental net, wrought in flowers or
sprays, with gilt or silver threads or
piece OF Nalenciennes-a revived lace
favored by the devotees Of style be-
cause Of its softening and assimilating
qualities.
Bonnets are still worn for the
theatre and for dress occasions. Very
young married ladies may replace the
bonnet by the great Rembrandt y hat
Of black felt with wide brim, turned up
at the left and entirely covered with
Jet beads. 1t is trimmed with tuit
Of feathers la Lambelle, that is to
say, the quills in back and the ends
falling over the front.
The underwear Of silky, undyed ma
tural wool from Australia and South
Africa is recommended to ladies who
travel or 90 out great deal, as protec-
ton in this respect not only prevents
little rheumatic twinges and stiffness,
which spoil youthfulneSs and grace OF
movement. but preserves the complex
ion from red noses and blue circles un-
der the el es left by cold.
A dinner dress has the skirt of black
satin brocaded with large figures OF
frise plush. The side panels are OF
etted lace, and the black drapery is
arranged in a peculiar manner, some
what in wing fashion. The satin bodice
has long basques and has foil plas-
tron Of rich cream-colored crepe de
Chine. The sleeves reach little be-
low tho elbow and are finished with a
pouf Of the crepe.
Many Of the new imported dresses
have fine side-plaited gauze ribbon with
thin satin stripes set in the neck and
sleeves. 1t is quite pretty as a novelty,
but is scarcely suitable for full dress.
and not as desirable as little plated
lace for ordinary wear, as it brushes
very readily, and then looks "mussy
and careless. White corduroy and
very coarse white net lace are used in
single or double bias folds for the same
purpose.
A favorite fashion is to have long
plaits down the left side of the skirt,
and a vest straight from throat to
waist, with cuffs and revers OF the
silk, with a soft girdle crossing the
basque at the waist-line, supplemented
by long square pockets Of the silk,
trimmed with buttons. Two yards of
this silk is all-suflicient to embellish a
new costume or refresh one not new,
and any color of velvet or wool may
be stylishly embellished by this black
gaIniture.
A sty lish skating costume is Of Per-
sian-striped plush in dark mosS-green
and gold, with marquise coat ABOVE of
plain green plash over an ample vest of
the striped goods this fastened down
the front with heavy silver agrafies.
The hat, Glengary, was of the plain
green plush, with narrow band of
Persian silk set close to the head, above
the wayeSof raven-black hair. A twist
of the plush was set at one side Of the
cap, with the head Of golden pheasant
peeping from amid its fold.
a travelling cloak is made Of dark,
fine warm but ght- weight cloth, which
has an interlining of flannel in the waist
and sleeves and lining throughout the
garment with farmers satin. The
waist fits to the figure and has two
flat plaits down the back and front.
The garment falls to the edge Of the
hock. 1t buttons in front, the sides
and edges of which have a facing Of
dark maroon satin. The neckis finished
by a rolling collar and ribbons to tie,
and there are ribbons from the side
seams at the waist.
An evening dress Of pale-blue silk
has plated panel on the right side.
The drapery is Of cresm-white woOllen
tulle, which is very long in front and
full at the back. In front it is studded
with crystal pendants. On the left side,
the front and back drapery are caught
together by bows Of cream-white satin
ribbon knotted with blue ribbon. The
pointed bodice is Of the silk, with a full
plastron of the woollen tulle, with crys-
tai pendants, edged with lace, and fast
ened at the throat and waist by bows
Of ribbon like those upon the skirt.
The fresh spring silks will show
diversity of elegant new half-tints and
several novelties in decided colors,
samples of these elegant goods showing
that blue, in a number of superb dark
but distinct shades, aud golden browns,
with an added golden sheen to an al
ready beautiful surface, will lead as
first choice for carriage and visiting
wear, not, however, excluding gray,
which appears in lovely soft Partisan
dyes, if possible more attractive than
ever, this exceptionally beautiful
color, the pride Of Frenchwomen, pro-
wing as capable as Cleopatra of infinite
variety.
The most elegant Of bodices, and that
which makes the figure look the most
graceful, is the plain, peaked bodice,
trimmed with fancy galloon or beading.
At the top it is cut low in the shape Of
a heart and trimmed inside with false
bodice of white silk, coming up little
higher and covered with folds Of silk
tulle or Grape. The back is arranged
in the same manner, but not quite so
low. The sleeve is finished just above
the elbow with double fold Of similar
tulIe or Grape, or else it has a short
sleeve altogether, with q small, round
epsulette. This style Of bodice ad-
mits of both kinds Of sleeves /; 1t de-
ponds whether one requires more or
less dIessy toilet.