Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-06
SUMNER FASHIONS.
SOME srAsoNABLE SUGGESTIONS FOB
Lazy READERS.
The Black Satin Street Dresses-A Start
ling shade Of Gresn-Tennis-
other Points.
[corre.pondence Of the RIchmond pIspslchl

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispstch.l
NEW YORK, May 8, 1888.
The regulation black satin costume,
which cannot be rated among the
"fashions"--fdr it is as ancient as dress
making end as eternal as womsn-now
makes its appearance with some slight
change. In place of the usual Jet trim
mings it is garnished with notched re-
vers OF black MORE, and there is even q
narrow front breadth Of MORE. The
back drapery is laid in number Of
straight folds reaching from the waist to
the bottom OF the skirt. Following the
almost universal custom, girdle is
drawn around the waist, the ends falling
gracefully in front, the sash tying at the
waist.
STREET DRESSES.
Street dresses-or some OF them-eI.
hibit some strange combinations. A
few are, to speak mildly, startling. Fol
! instance, / noted one the other day
which included polonaise in one of the
most strikingly vivid green tints known
10 nature-or the dyer. This fell above
a skirt in pure white faced cloth, the
edges of which were embroidered with
gold braid. A vest OF white cashmere
adorned the front Of the polonaise. il
the wearer of this original costume de-
sired to be remarked, she certainly
attained her end-she was the cynosnre
of every eye.
Such exceedingly outre effects were
formerly relegated to the deDai-mOnde,
but it seems that they are now quite dc
| rigneu.
TENNIS.
Gentlemen during the present season
OF tennis will wear long trousers instead
of knickerbockers while enjoying that
and kindred sports. The knee-breeches
are only retained for bicycling.
An occasional velvetine costume is
still seen. One noted the other day was
made with O Jacket very much shorter
than the waistcoat beneath, which was
of white faced cloth. For a semi-clrcu-
lar space at the neck the jacket was
open. and here again the vest was al
| lowed to be seen. Although the mate
rial is not a fashionable one this dress
had a stylish and tasteful appearance.
SPRING WRAPS.
A form OF spring wrap which IL en-
tirely new and decidedly graceful and
pleasing is made to reach across the
shoulders behind, coming to the elbows
and clothing the outside and front por-
tons OF the arms. The front OF the
wrap covers the bust. fitting neatly, and
narrows at the waist, spreading again
below, and having ends that reach al
least to the knees. This wrap is usually
developed in black silk, and Is trimmed
with jet and with black lace.
SUMNER DRESS.
A charming summer dress recently
seen WAS in pale cream challis, dotted
with red. II was made with short
Jacket OF the challis. entirely open II
front, and with pulled sleeves. Beneath
this, and extending in front shortly be
low the waist, was a plated and SHRED
! full vest Of suah in brilliant cardinal
tint. The combination was a striking
bat decidedly pleasing one.
The shapes IN straw hats tins season
are for the greater part small, close-ht.
ting. aud low-crowned.
Children's dresses of chambrays, chal
! lies. prints, and similar materials are ire
qucntly made with gUiD,pes OF white
muslin, and look very sweet and pretty
Stylish note-paper is of rough liner
paper, with ragged edges
SILK STOCKINGS.
Silk stockings are seen in the most
Ou'rc designs and colors One OF the
most fashionable modes in fine hose ex
hibits the ankle and foot of one tint,
while the leg is of q contrasting color
For instance, the lower portion may be
Of light blue, while the upper part will
he of cream color, with perhaps hair
lines OF blue encircling it. The instep'
are usually embroidered in tiny flora
designs. Ribs are also popular, even
on silk hosiery, and ribbed stockings
are seen in all the evening shades
black, canary, pale pink, Nile green,
and cicl blue. Vertical stripes OF blue
appear upon ground of pink on an
other style of evening hose.
Evening slippers are high-heeled n'
they have always heretofore been, and
are seen in many different varieties.
RUGS
For furnishing the best rooms nova.
days imported rugs are essential. They
are much more fashionable-as they are
more ostly-than carpets. Some OF
these rugs, with their small Persian pat
terms and their beautifully harmoniou:
tints seem TO fill a room by themselves.
1t seems to need no other furnishing,
and the appearance they give is indie
scribably luxurious and Oriental.
GIRDLEs.
The passion for waist-wrappings, belts,
and girdles, which l have before re-
marked as ruling ladies dress, has also
infected the fashions Of the other half of
creation. This summer gentlemen will
wear (of course, at the summer resorts)
wide slken girdles or scarfs about their
waists in place of vests
Challis, that all-popular fabric, is being
employed for summer tea-gowns. Ii
drapes beautifully, and they are made
with short trains. The patterns chosen
are usually small and neat, and the
gowns are made with wide-plaited fronts
of surah, cashmere, or crepe de chine.
Cuffs of velvet are sometimes employed,
and Byron collars of the same add mate
rally TO the appearance of the whole.
G. Il. NJ.