Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-12
THE FASHIONS.
xorEs FROM xBw YORK FOB OUR LADY
FRIENDS.
Already Preparing for the Warmer weather.
Spring Fabrics and Hovto
Make rhsm Up.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispstch.l

New YORK, February ii, 1885.
The spring season is not yet upon us
not by several weeks-but dry goods
men and all the host Of those who attend
on Dame Fashion arc already making
much preparation for the coming Of
warmer weather.
Among the first OF the new fabrics TO
make their appearance have been the
lightest of spring and summer materials
chattles, ginghams, mohairs. and
satines
The goods first mentioned-wool chal-
lies-are to be very popular during the
approaching spring, and, Judging by the
selections that have already made their
appearance, deservedly so. Their pat
terms are their only fault d; these are
much larger than such goods have here
tofore displayed, great masses Of flowers
and broad running vines spreading them:
selves over their soft surfaces. Checks
and stripes are also to be seen among
them. 1t is thought that these mathe-
NAUTICAL markings will be worn in nearly
all the varieties OF costume recognized
OF fashion, not even exclusive Of evening
dress.
MoHAIRs.
English mohairs in little, delicate
sprigged designs are goods which our
houses here say they have not handled
for many years, and which are there
fore practically new goods. So are the
silk-and-wool pongees to many, although
every observant lady (if she will acknow-
ledge to remembering anything so far
back will at once discover an old ac-
quaintance in their dainty weave. They
are the same goods as the old-time
"popinets.
Summer is 30 far in the future that il
might be thought premature for me to
make mention of such goods as French
satines and foulards. Nevertheless, i'm
portations OF these stuffs are being open
ed by leading houses every day here.
The patterns, unfortunatey Y, partake OF
the same character as those OF the chal- !
lies above described-they are large and !
almost ungraceful.
Should any lady reader, finding that /
February is a slow month in the way OF |
new toilets-that is, always excepting
the making up Of the rousseau when one
is fortunate enough to have a wedding on
hand-and that her time hangs heavy, |
desire to be so iorehanded " as to make |
up q few OF her summer toilets now, |
submit the following points which will
characterize all the new light dresses:
STYLES
The basque is either vertically plated |
IN fine close rows all the way across the |
front or else gathered from pointed
yoke. 1t is made quite short, both back
and front-sleeyes pulled at the shoulders.
Tournine to be worn large, unhappily.
Draperies very loose and almost yolu-
minous, with nigh bOtfdnt effect over
the hips. The front ta6iier is laid in
deep folds which start in a diagonal
direction from one hip, the tdbIier itself
being drawn up to the other. This of
course exposes the skirt and that is
TO be either killed very widely or laid
in box plaits or laid in fancy plait-
ings-in no event to be plain. The
trimming viii consist partly of velvet
used on the cuffs, collar, &c.-and nib
bons, placed in fots and bows at all
available portions of the costume.
Where vest Is worn the above style Of
basque not being used) it will be very
narrow.
Among other and different styles of
materials that have made their appear
ance are bengalines and Henrietta cloths,
both suitable for wear on the street and
both in all the popular shades, old and
new. Benzaline, as every one knows, is
a silk-and- wool fabric, having something
of the appearance Of fdikie franchise.
only that the weave is coarser. 1t has
been heretofore considered a rather
cheap material, but the new bengalines
shown range as high as Sc.
wooLLgN GOODS.
Woollen goods are not yet in. A week
or so will probably bring them, but as
yet one can only surmise what the ma
terials of our spring walking dresses will
be. Camels-hair cloths will, l think, be
prominent now, as in the past, and
cheviots have hold upon the popular
taste that will continue for the coming
season. AS for colors, it is safe to say
that all kinds of grays and browns, with
the darker shades Of green, will be called
into play.
Here is an ante-Easter millinery hint
Crowns are going To be very small. low,
flat, and generally insignificant. Brims
will be wide, and lastly, the Gains
borough which Qike the poor we have
always with us, is again seen.