Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-01
THE FASHIONS.
sxAsoHABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR
LADY READERS.
Fashionable Evening costums-Ths v
hape-rea-Gowns-Russian Jackets
The Parasol-Notes.
,c,,r..rora.nc. o, tho Ricbmond pIsp.tch.I


New YORK, March 81, 1888.
Although somewhat lulled during
Lent. the festive season in town is by no
means at an end, having still two ortnree
months to run.
Evening or ballroom attire is there
fore at the present time matter OF some
interest.
The fashionable evening costume is
made rather simply. For matroniy
wear it is en- traine, but young ladies'
usually have the skirts Of dancing length
and without train.
The style of the corsage is OF course
matter for the exercise OF individual
taste. Much unfayorable comment has
been evoked by the fact that 1t IS GER
tainly getting lower.
SHAPE.
The Y shape is row made little
wider than it has been, and is not now
so invariable as it was last season. The
square Grecian corsage is much in favor.
An attractive bodice of the latter style
has the square opening, surrounded Dya
border Of shirred cream India null. This,
in turn, is edged with band Of embrold-
cry, which on the sides reaches to the
acknowledgements. The costume has also
a girdle of the same embroidery, and
bands of it encircle the full loose sleeves
of null, which reach nearly to the
elbows.
The materials for evening dress which
are most in vogue are tattie Ffanca'Se,
MORE, pean de sole, and pedn dc
nvmphc. These fabrics compose the
chief portions Of the dresses-skirt, train,
back drapery when train is not worm,
and bodice. The tdbiier is generally IN
some expensive fancy weave, such as bro
caded satin or figured MORE FTdncdlse.
Lace is employed for bordering the
corsage, &C., and wide satin ribbon IN
large bows is used upon the skirt. 1t is
quite fashionable to add scarf or girdle
to the toilet.
RECEPTION COSTUMES.
An attractive reception costume, orr
ginating with Felix, is in very charm
ing combination OF fabrics the bodice.
cut decoUete, is of Gobelin blue, striped
and lowered MORE, and is made with
close-ftting sleeves, reaching the elbows
The skirt is Of shrimp pink MORE, made
plain, and covered with an oyer-dress OF
embroidered Grape.
Such q dress as the above may be
worn equally well as a reception costume
or dinner dress, and it will be seen that
it is quite as elaborate as or even more so
than the majority OF evening costumes
Dinners of ceremony have, indeed, be-
come occasions for the display Of the
richest costumes in the wardrobes OF the
ladies attending them.
TEA-GowNs.
A most elaborate tea-gown, also from
Paris, is in cream cashmere, having 8
front of cold rose }" Gaiiie, made wide
and full with heavy bands of embroi-
derry bordering it on each side. A red
silk girdle is drawn loosel y about the
waist, and the neck is finished with Irish
point lace.
Some tailor-made gowns are dis
playing broad white linen shirt bosom
chemisettes or vests, intended to bestow
q still more masculine air upon their
already sufficiently manish coat bodices.
Among other revivals of the season is
to be mentioned the so-called Russian
Jacket. This attractive form of bodice is
to be seen upon many of the new street
costumes.
PARAsoLs
The parasol is by no means the least
elaborate item in the spring street toilet,
and the array of dainty creations shown
in this line is extensive and attractive.
One especially neat conceit is an exactly
triangular parasol, having Ito outward
appearance) but three ribs. 1t is covered
in figured silk and edged with border
of lace at least foot deep. This lace
edqing seems to be an essential Of all
the new parasols.
The spring muff is q thing so small
that it is scarcely worth mentioning. In
it the owners hands meet, perforce, half
way, and utility is sacrificed to It's bijou
daintiness.
AN ATTRACTIVE DRESS.
An attractive spring dress for young
girl OF fourteen or fifteen years is In
soft-fgured wool chally made with a
killed skirt, with short, heavily folded
round front drapery and plain, long folds
at the back of the skirt. The bodice has
plated square yoke, below which the
front is gathered, being shirred to the
yoke. A girdle OF velvet is passed around
the waist-cuffs, collar, etc, being of
the same.
Fans are very elaborate creations at
the present season, seeming to be mere
trifes of painted satin, rich lace,
feathers, and pearl, or silver-inlaid SER
pentine sticks. Some OF them are worth
small fortunes, and it is not at all re-
markable for an evening fan to cost from
325 to $40. G.. H. NJ.