Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-16
THE FASHIONS.
HOW TO DRESS TO Dc IN TIE SWIM.
Out Door Costumes Handsome Visiting Tei
let OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and
Visiting Gowns.

NV YonK, December Is. 1888.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatcn.l
NEW York, December 10, 1888.
On the more conventional street cos
tume at present one notices that the
skirts are made quite little wider than
they we're short time ago, and that
draperies are long and rather full. More
attention is paid TO drapery nowadays
than was formerly the cssc and the
earnest study which modistes have found
il necessary to bestow upon this branch
Of their craft has borne fruit Every
fold--eyery crease-upon properly
drlped skirt lies just as it ought though
careless grace is affected.
II must be said that although the
fournVrc-that bone of contention-is
not by any means disappearing skirts
are hung now almost entirely by means
OF reeds, with a very small pad inserted
over the hip.
OUTDOOR.
Not few Of the most stylish ont Of
door costumes now seen are made with
that perfect simplicity that implies un-
limited confidence by the wearers IN the
fanltlessnesB OF their forms for it re-
quires a well-proportioned figure to bear
the rigid plainness of an uDtrimmed
basque. These simple COSTUMES have
wing draperies at the sides, and short,
round front drspery not more than
eighteen inches deep, laid IN heavy
folds. The front breadth OF the skirt
below is entirely revealed, and is wholly
without ganiture.
Tweeds, cheyiots, and serges are the
fabrics for travelling attire. For a
brides going-away dress very fine
checked tweed OF good quality or royal
serge in dove-color or gray are the pro-
per goods.
VISITING.
A handsome visitingtoilet recently
noted was in the drcctOrie style, with
rediDgote Of dark-brown cloth, having a
standing collar and broad revers Of white
cloth braided in brown; inside this a
Jacket basque of green cloth revealed a
vest OF the same white braided cloth
used for trimming the redingOte. This
Jacket had the distinctive revers also.
Below. the front breadth, also in green
cloth, WAS onamented with extensive
braidiDg IN brown.
OPERA CLOAKs.
A handsome long opera cloak in plush
has the sleeves formed IN the back, the
front psrt Of the wrap being quite sepa-
rate, and continuing down to form the
skirt, the back portion almost resembling
n drapery. Trimmings of fur and passe-
menterles on the front, braid designs on
the tabs of the draped back and on other
portions of the garment
This season the prevailing shape for
the evening cOrsage will be the deep and
narrow V. Not few square or Grecian
corsages will be seen, and English fash
ions show a revival almost certain to he
copied hereof the round opening af-
fected by our grandmothers. This, 1t
will be remembered, was one of the
forms in vogue two seasons ago. APP
parentlv, the dccOV6te modes will be
modest this year, particularly so far as
Young ladies' costumes are concerned,
although sleeves will be an unknown
quantity. To supply their place long
mousQuetaire gloves will be drawn near
" ~ the shoulders.
Among the English long-wraps there
is considerable variety, but tendency
to great plainness is perceptible in all.
SHAPES.
One STYLE in beayer-cloth has the full
round skirt divided over the hips, but
untrimmed. Down the front are mere
" two rows Of Astrachan border, the col
lar aud cuffs being Astrachan. Another
shape is double- breasted. having two
rows OF buttons, a tnrned-down wide
cloth collar and broad cuffs OF cloth, but
is ever palmer than the first a third
has the skirt laid in three broad folds at
the back, extending from the waist
down it has "A ball-and- cord military
decoration upon the front and cord orna-
ments on other parts. forming meagre
trimming. All OF these long wraps are
exceliently fitted. however, and look APP
propriate 10 the winter season from the
very severity of their designs.
RECEPTIONS.
Many reception, dinner, and visiting
gowns are in the better grades OF velou-
tine nov.
Emeralds have recently become most
popular levels. In combination with
diamonds they form the really fashiona-
bic sets this season.
Hungarian china IS the prevalent fancy
in blDc-1-brltr.
Childrcn's frocks have loose, gathered
fronts, SHRED Mt neck and waist.
turtnmmed street costumes are
matched by fur-trimmed headgesr.
silk hosiery for evening wear IS en-
broidefed with beads.
Many stylish bonnets have two small
birds perched upon the front directly
above the brow. with their beaks meet
ing. the wings being extended.
On street coats frogs and brandebourgs
are once more occasionally worn.
Tho ancient tradition concerning the
ill-luck attendant upon peacocks' plumes
does not deter many ladies' from using
the ill-iated feathers for millinery garni-
ture.
The redingote has almost superseded
the polonalse. {. ii. NJ.