National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-01
"TuE LATEST FASHIONS"
what Are They, and what Are Ihey
TO he?
by a Special Correspondent

lBy Special Correspondent
This question is natural to all, especially 10
the ladies'
For many years an established rule in Eu-
rope has required bonnets for married Indies,
round hats for young ladies, and some simple
style, upon which flowers seldom or ever mp
peared for children. Durngt the past few years
the structures of this customary costume has
relaxed somewhat, and the unmarried ladies
Of all ages are permitted to wear round hats
and young misses TO wear feathers or small
flowers. The American people dislike to feel
confined TO any conventional style, and today
you will find our children often dressed In adj.
vance Of their age, and our married ladies' IL a.
round hat can be had that suits their ideas, will
not submit TO a bonnet. We are called a nation
Of traders and strivers aftor the almighty dol
lar and Tor this reason reverse the old coun-
try customs. The milliner recommends such
styles as are judged Tor well-known) williatter
or meet the approval of the customer, or, rs Is
generally the case, such hats In stock.
The go. as.youpleaseI' method Of adorn-
heads has advantages as well as drawbacks.
We hear frequently growl from the retailer
regarding the largo number of unnecessary
up in order to supply the varied wants Of the
customer, which Is largely attributed TO the
idea that anything Is fashionable that will
advantage to the customer by preventing the
manufacturer of a particular shape nom get
ting up corner in the trade aud advancing
prices. Notwithstanding al this we, as
fashionable nation, will not be behind the age,
and naturally have tendency 10 lean toward
the set rules of Europe while they are not
backward in adopting with profit 10 them
selves many Yankee notions. For many years
we have closely studied the fashions OF this
and other countries, aud strongly believe I'm
tho principle Of selecting tho Ideas. OF any
country that will have n tendency TO swccien
n hard face or Will enhance the loyellneas OF
our matchless beauties.
first interest.
Small bonnets are again in vogue with
pointed as well as square crowns, the Mlkado
and black shade taking tho lead. Speaking
about hats. there seems to be a tendency
toward high crowns, but narrower brlm, as
usual, while fancy braid intermingles with
rough and ready Is still an important factor.
Touching dress hats there really nothing
that surpasses an English Milan.
After selecting the shape which Is Judged
the most advantageous to the style Of beauty TO
BIO adorned, the next question Is the ornamen.
tation. A notable feature is spring millinery
IL the selection OF yellow as the leading color,
and II recalls TO some fashion which has
slumbered for more than thirty years. When
last 1t was the favored color Il was called
"MniZe," as 10 was very subdued shade. The
same shade of yellow is now one of the favor
lite OF shades which appear this season. An
opposite color which is fast gaining favor will
are seen in this color trimmed with black vel
vet and Jet beads. A striking feature of the
season Is the popularity of beads In almost
every conceivable shape and color to trim with
tissue and gauze materials. 1t will also be
noticed that beads are an important adjunct
in the ornamentatlon Of dresses as well as mil
linery.
Ostrich feathers, with certain degree of
success, struggle with other trimmings for n
place on the hats and bonnets of the season:
delicate tips with aigrette arranged us POM
pons, grace many New York and Paris models,
and are very stylish.
Think It unnecessary to mention fowersas
spring trimming, as nothing eau suggest
itself as more appropriate for spring wear; in
fact, they will be more used than In the past
few seasons. We have mentioned that yellow
shades Of this class OF coloring, ali Of which
nro desirable. Asst is impossible for all TO
wear this color, fashion has kindly provided
SDS Sas Sp Il Pc
blue, several shades of gray, brown olive,
yellow.green, each and all of which are cor
Soop SPdIn and taxes Soson
tween red and yellow. is usually selected for
relief only, and not for foundation. While
hats and 6onnets have high top trimming for
nll Is well, and consistency smiles an approval
ut the originality in the designs for trimming,
rns siy ms hs is LACE \ Is Chiefly
they are too expensive at present to become n
popular trimming for the masses. These laces
are TO be found in extreme delicate colors only.
ON the other hand, all overnets as we'll as
streamer-nets are very much in use, and make
recherche trimming.
Ribbons win hold a very important position
in millinery. Very few figured ribbons will be
being those in gauze framed with n satin stripe
or brocade pi.cot edge, failletine ribbon of
finest quality with pi.cot edge claim pre-
eminence, but satin and velvet. as we'll rs
satin gros grain, will be maintained-all are
feather.edged Tor so-called pi-coD
Your correspondent feels under many obli-
cations to tho "BoN MARcHE," 316 and 3ls
Seventh street, from whom the above features
OF interest to the ladies Of this city have been
obtained,