Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-29
SUMMER DRESS.
sonE ssAsoHABIE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT
TIE FASHIONS.
Bathing -suits-cuffs--A Charming Cos
tume-stripsd Ylsnns!s-hsnu- "a
Cards-Importsd Robes.
rcOre,pouaonco Of me Richmond Disp..ch.l


[correspondence OF the Richmond Dispssch.l
New YORK, July %. 1883.
A summer dress for a girl OF fifteen
years is in figured delsine. The basque
opens near the collar to show vest OF
| terra-cotta velvet. the edges Of the de-
laine being folded in triple plat to
take the place of revers. The drapery
in front is round and hangs in full folds
TO the bottom of the skirt, so covering
in front the very wide velvet border en-
ployed in trimming the skirt.
As I have remarked in previous let
ter, bathing-suits present few noticeable
novelties. Two or three hints on sea
toilets may, however, be useful. II You
are fond of swimming, naturally the
arms must be left free. At the same
time many ladies dislike sleeveless
TUNES because they fear the bronzing
effects of the gun. A very good way out
OF the difficulty is to wear sleeved
Jersey, or even sleeved silk undervest
beneath the tunic. Another trouble to
many bathers is the extreme and per-
verse facility with which their sandals
desert their feet. This is easily RENE
died by attaching very long strings to
the sandal and carrying them across and
across each other-pretty far up the
ankle.
Some suits are being made with vests.
All of them are trimmed to greater or
less extent with braid. All are now
made with the trousers and waist in one
garment. And lastly. the length OF the
skirt, which is attached TO the belt, Is
entirely optional, with tendency to
brevity.
1t Is by attending to trifes in dress
that perfection is secured. This is sell
dom realized fact, but one which secures
for those who appreciate it the reputa-
ton of having that peculiar quality
known as "taste.
CUFFS.
Among other small portions Of cos
tune which require to be fashioned with
due regard TO effect are the cuffs. If
these were in the present state OF the
styles invariable, there would be question
of choice, but there are more ways for
ending sleeves now in vogue than one
could shake the proverhial stick at.
Where the dress is otherwise trimmed
with velvet the cuffs are OF the same, but
they may be mere narrow bands, two
inches in breadth, or they may be 80
deep as almost to reach the elbows !;
again they are worn square and pointed
ana vandyked. Dresses trimmed with
smoking require "smocked cuffs
as we'll as collar. On some light dresses
borders of lace finish the cuffs; on
others Of precisely the same model they
are omitted.
Cream organdy was the material OF
charming and seasonable dress, whose
feature was a loose gathered waist con
fined at the waist with belt. The effect
was decidedly youthful.
TEA GOWNS.
Tea gowns are being made in figured
silks and occasionally in fine foulards.
They usually include full front of
surah, cashmere. or crepe dc chine,
which agrees in color with one OF the tints
OF the silk pattern. The latter looks
very effective when having a black
ground with crimson or orange-colored
blossoms upon it. A black front in
either case looks well.
Striped fannelsmake excellent basques
for indoor wear. Round waists, blouses,
or Jacket basques are the best shapes
for the purpose. and in making them up
the only trimming at all necessary is
wide, open collar of white flannel with
cuffs of the same, bunch of ribbon at
the throat, and girdle OF ribbon or
leather belt for the waist.
A single flower is frequently alone
worn as corsage decoration instead of
the huge bouquets formerly in vogue.
Bonnets for morning wear are trimmed
with dotted tulle.
Among napery specialties are doylies
with glazed surfaces, which come in deli
cate designs, and colored in many diff
ferent light tints pale green, amber,
lavender, and cream are the fayorite
shades.
MORE is still a popular trimming for
cloth street-dresses.
The V-shape is almost the only style
of corsage seen on the few evening
dresses made up for the present season.
MENU-CARDS.
No dinner, tea, or feast OF any kind is
now given without the guests being sup
piled with charming little menu-cards
laid alongside their plates. Some of
them are hand-painted and very hand
some. Cheaper ones are mechanically
embossed, usually with the word "menu,"
followed by some appropriate motto, ex-
tract, or quotation. One, for instance,
has embossed across its upper corner in
gold the inscription "Bon appet't"
The enumeration of the viands with
which tho assembled gourmets are to
be sratised follows. tits generally writ
ten in plain pen and ink.
Imported summer "robes" may be
had at this time for the traditional
"song." It is not bad idea to buy one
or two of these dresses to hold over I'M
til next season, even if they cannot be
utilized now. Their materials and trim
mings are not likely to become unfash-
ionable, being only the standard, I'M