Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-10-16
NEW YORK FASHIONS.
Boston Courier

THE FANTASTIC IN MILINERY-BLACK A
CoRoER sToNE-NEw BoNNETs, HATS AND
TRIMMINGs-NoTEs AND ANSWERS.
From our regular Female Correspondent
To the unsephisticated eye, an approach
ling woman may appear some curiously-
horned creature, the horns not always GO
ing upright, but darting everywhere. On
nearer inspection, they become two or more
prolonged and stiff blackbird feathers. Ma
ture did not in such fantastic fashion, attach
them to the poor bird that lies below, nor
did nature always blacken its plumage.
Birds of all sorts now assume an inky COW
ering, and big or little, come under the
head of "blackblrds.' There is rage for
them, and the more unnaturally twisted
the attitudes, the more stylish they become.
An entirely black hat surmounted by from
one to three blackbirds, is thought suitable
with any costume and in the midst OF deli
cate or bright surroundings, the blackbird
gives an eccentric dash now popular. The
above is in truth keynote to the leading
tone in fashion to day-namely black. Last
spring, it was an important factor, but the
months have not only strengthened its hold
but led on to positive supremacy.
BOLD DAsHEs
of wide black ribbon are 10 great favor on
the broad brlmmed hats which can support
them in all gradations, it is used with fine
effect in tempering or brining out color. As
an example, may be quoted an old rose felt
bonnet trimmed with two inch wide black
velvet ribbon that traverses the crown, out
lines the back brim and forms strings. An
old rose aigrette Nesting in black lace gives
a charming finish and completes this natty
and inexpensive little head governing. All
bonnets are so small as to give very limited
room for trimming. Close shapes ara the
rule and in unobtrusive style, the garniture
is placed in front. Ribbons, feathers, en-
broideries and braidings are put on felt or
velvet, both dyed in shades to correspond
with dress goods aud no more reliable in
dex to colors is possible, than that shown
by piled-up hats and bonnets of felt on
wholesale milliner's counter. Black, bright
red, Eiffel rust colors, dark grayish blue,
green, plum, dove Or old rose, make up the
list and the trimming is two toned or in
marked and novel contrasting, such as Ca
nary with bright, clear green, old rose
with blue, primrose yellow with gray, etc.
coLoRs ON BLACK.
Black is the foundation stone in MILNE
~, and though it is put on colors, yet COL
ors on black are still more in vogue. Dress
bonnets are of velvet, that is often but not
always laid plainly, since it is sometimes
loose and put in position by ornamental
pins, while velvet on the bias forms part
of togue and large hat trimmings, bonnets
not affordng room for anything so bulky.
Togues, turbans or wide brimmed hats
moreover, are the chosen field for display
of eccentricitieS, because the compressed
bonnet must be modest. In addition to the
STYLES Just mentioned, some English walk
ing and sailor hats in felt, but here, the
garniSure is unobtrusive in comparison. For
bonnets satin back velvet ribbon from one
to two and half inches wide, in self color,
two tones or contrasting, is most used, but
there are wide double-faced gros grain and
satin ribbons and also elegant styles of
equal width, showing brocades with plush
stripes in combination, these latter varieties
being intended for dressy hats on which
they are united with ostrich plumes and
clustering tips.
NOTES AND ANSWERS.
Fashionable shoppers now stop at S65
Broadway for look at Harris Bros new
glove establishment which is in their special
line, what Tiffany's is to the jewelry trade.
Nothing is kept throughout its spacious ex
tent but gloves and in the unexampled op
portunity thus given for selection, every Ia
but husband and children, since all the
needs of both the latter are fully provided
for. While bargains are always to be had
ard gloves of all grades, yet the fine custom
peculiar to this leading house, demands the
very best and latest, and their importations
therefore give the keynote to what New
York's most stylish class demands. For
street wear, four or five button in tan 1r
grew shades are seen, but the Harris but
tonless sack glove affords the stylish wrin-
kle: is easily drawn on or off and is also
very durable. Undressed kid are extreme
" fashionable and for evening, are the only
kind worn. Light tan, gray or white are
stylish and all stitching are now delicate.
In reply to Nettie L., would say that
the Nuns cloak is suitable only to slender
figures. a lady of well-developed form,
would do better in choosing cloak of vel
vet of heavy cloth fi5ted at the back and
with wing sleeves over coat sleeves. Eth
or style can be made very handsome by en-
broidery or braidng, while fur is combined
with any garDiture.
Velvet is in much favor as a combination
or entire dress for tho/e who can afford it,
and this season, the u W standard Velunti-
ma is freely purchased in place of velvet. 1t
has stood the test of time and IS shown in
all new colors.
Buttons are either very small o. very
large and in the latter case, are used as
ornaments.
Dresses made low about the throat have
rendered necklaces popular.
Mis-. S. requests information regarding |
accordion plaitings. They are quite as pop
ular as ever.
RosALIND MAY.