Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-04
THE FASHIONS.
SOME REASONABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR
TsEFAIR OsEs.
Rich BALLROOM misunderstanding Dresses
Cut short-An Innovation
in Dressing Gowns.
New YORK, December 81, 1881:
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch-l


New YORK, December 81, 1887:
Ballroom costume is extremely rich
and very elegant this season, as ~ mas
been for several years past. still the
fashionable ballroom, though filed with
the most superb toilets, does not now
convey the same idea of magnificent ex-
travacance noticeable last year: Inc
costumes. albeit Of fine materials, are
simple. This applies chiefly, TO the
higher grades OF society, and lanes Oh
the nOurceur riches are rs fond nov, as
ever of the gaudy combinations OF color
in costly fabrics, which betray rs much
want of taste as they are indicative OF
high dressmakers' bills.
Some of the most charming dancing
toilets for young girls and youthful ladies'
seen in years have appeared this season
One very graceful and pleasing
dress which stylish young lady re-
Gently wore at an uptown affair was IN
pale~very pale-blue MORE, made en-
trainc. with broad front panel on the
skirt Of blue velvet. The bodice was OF
a rather long and old-fashioned pattern
The front was cut in V reaching the
waist, but filed almost entirely with
pale cream crepe de chine, leaving 1T
tie square-cut space at the bosom-yery
modest. It was entirely sleeveless, long
cream-colored sueGCS reaching nearly to
the shoulders and covering the arms.
A peculiar, loose, airy drapery, cllnglng
as it we're about the skirt, and
waving gracefully as the wearer walked
about, and waving lightly as she danced,
was of dotted tulle and was Capparently)
fastened at its edges with the same
flowers as those worn upon the shoulder
and at the corsage opening. They
were violets. Although this was, as l
have mentioned, trained dress, young
ladies' do not generally wear Their
evening costumes so encountered. They
are usually cut dancing length"-that
is, reaching the instep.
Nothing positive has been announced
by the rulers of the mode with regard to
the corsage. The general impression
prevails that the Y is at once the pref
test, most stylish-looking, and most
modest form. When this is worn 1t IS
usually very narrow and bordered with
lace.
All the ladies here are intensely en-
yious of Mr.. Days leading lady, Miss
Ada Rehan, on account of the exquisite
demi-toilet, negiigc. or dressing-gown
she dons in the third act of the "Rail-
road of Love" 1t is an airy, fairy-llke
creation-all blue cashmere, blue rib
bons, and fine laces. Her arms and
throat are bare, an innovation IN dress
ing-gowns which might be followed-by
some ladies-with very good effect.
A very handsome dress recently OBJ
served in the park where, despite the
weather, hundreds of people resort every
Sunday was OF very dark-greeD, smooth
faced cloth, heavy in quality to
suit the season. The tqbiicr was hand
somely relieved by an elaborate pattern
in brown braid applique, the braid being
very broad. This tddtier Is pointed at
very obtuse angle in front, Topped to the
left hip, so exposing the chief glory Of
the whole costume. This was a broad
panel of pale-pink satin, embroidered
exquisitely (and very expensively) in
neutral-tinted silks, intricate floral de-
signs having been chosen. The wrap
worn was trinity fitting visite of green
plush, with figured plush plastrons back
and front of combined pale-pink and
green; dark green feather trimming as
bordering.
Tall, round felts are among the stan
dard shapes in millinery for young Ia
dies. They are scantily trimmed, and
seem todepend for effect upon the angle at
which they are set. Some ladies con-
trive to impart very iaunty airs to these
plain head-coverings. Cardinal has re-
appeared in millinery, and is used both
alone and in combination with black.
Sable velvet capotes, with bows of picOt
cardinal ribbon on the front ofthem, are
very charming inventions Of the mil
liners art.
A dainty little muff may be made at
home by a judicious combination OF
astrachan, real fur, and ribbons. The
former composes the body of the mutt,
the fur borders it, and the ribbon, tied
in bow, adorns the front Of it,
New-Year's day is not so well observed
here in the way of calling as it has been
in past years, but for those who do call
the cards provided are either the most
simple white visiting pasteboards or else
the most recherche designs obtainable.
Genuine rhinestones, inlaid in little
water-color sketches, are among these
pretty novelties Others are plain cards,
with their turned-down left-hand corners
tied with ribbon bows. For sending by
mail booklets like those l spoke of last
week are seen. C.. IL. Al.