Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-06-05
NEW YORK FASHIONS.
BLACK AND wHITE-NEw COMBINATIONS
HATs-NOTEs ON NOVELTIES.

HATb-NOTES ON NOVELTIES.
From our Female Fashion Reporter.J
A notable feature is the strange and
hitherto unwarrsntable employment Of
black, which is now leading factor in
dress. AS a combination, it is remarkably
popular and shows beside the gayest ma
terials broad black sashes are worn with
all manner of gowns and with or without
pipings to correspond, but chiefly surpris-
ing are black hats or bonnets, unrelieved
by coIored or even white flowers or feath-
ers, that with black kid gloves and perhaps
black parasol, are considered now a jaunty
finish to cOlored costumes. Unusual style
attaches to India silks, in which on black
surface, flowers in natural color and odd
figures are depicted, for combination, black
silk being the first choice. Yet such are
the vagaries of today, that an entirely
back dress is almost relegated to persons
in mourning. 1t is certainly no longer
stylish and would rise higher in the scale,
if touched at least by some color-usually
vest and cuffs. Black lace dresses are ex-
ceptional.
WHITE COMBINATIONS
are also very effective and brought forward
with special prominence, for the most part,
in delicate touches on dark material, with
hat or bonnet in keeping, and one can readi-
ly imagine the pretty picture presented by
a gown of green, blue or even red, thus
softened while rendered coquettish. With
green, the result is particularly tasteful,
the more 80 as bonnets of green leaves are
in great favor and may be beautifully re-
lieVed by white flowers. Extraordinary
destinations Of material afford cause fer
wondsr.-ss for example, where India silk
or surab, ia maSse mp il connection with
ladies' cloth, the last nsissss material being
used for accessories and skirt e>nesa.--
Light quality silk appears furthermore ~
union with heavy faiiles or brooades--
figured where the companion goods ale
plain and rice VersG. The reason for such
novel departure, is a need for something
light which may form the full vests, fronts
and puffiugs 30 popular, but IL is more diff
ficult to solve the problem why India. and
surah silk should be used with gingham,
satine and other cottons. Apparently the
only reason is that Of caprice-if caprice
can be made q reason. 1t is, however, in
HATS
that the fancies of the day find chief dis
pIay. The time is one of hats, and from
the subdued limitations of turbans, toques,
walking, or sailor hats, broad brims emerge
to the Onlooker's increasing confusion. A
carnival of establishment and diverse
garniture is reached, to say nothing of
brims that of every size and shape, turn
every way and 10 way at all except that OF
original manufacture. The very low
crowned hats afford unwonted scope for
extravagant trimmings that overrun the
small mounds, and quite hide them from
view, but somewhat higher crowns are en-
circled by rich garlands or form supports
for immense and many looped bows of wids
ribbon united with bold bouquets or cluster
ing ostrich tips. An elegant leghorn hat
shows a conspicuous bow OF wide black
MORO ribbon, and this can be noted as
another exampl5 Of the unusual employ
ment of black. Full Innings Of Let are
much used; velvet gives a change and
generally contrast; rows OF lace impart
softness, fine leghorns being often without
lining. Milan or leghorn are the two plain
straws most used, but innumerabe fancy
straws are seen, although hats of tulle, net
or lace are il extraordinary demand.-
Many are black, il accordance with popu-
lar taste and a distinguished example is
made of black net heavily spangled with
gilt.
NOTES.
The Lottery of Love, though not like
the Louisiana State, supervised by Gems.
Beauregard and Early to ensure perfect
fairness, is thronged by votaries eager to
draw blanks or prizes. The number OF
weddings is without precedent, but as
wedding gowns have been enlarged upon
previously, word only is now added in re-
gard to bridesmaids dresses. Net over
silk is the first choice and ribbon run in
trow troW style, the favorite trimming. A
late innovation is that of wearing the hair
flowing, with encircling wreath of flowers.
The bouquet or basket of natural ones
should correspond and roses are the first
selection.
ACCORDION plaitings, quite rage, both
for grown persons aud children, have ex-
tended to flannel skirts for tennis and
yachting, which are now folded over so
that successive colored stripes are on the
outside, the white stripe showing from
within, at intervals, from the wearer's
motions or when famed by breezss.
Toques, turbans or eapote bonnets made
rof flowers are extremely fashionable, while
close akin, are small hats or bonnets OF
green leaves.
Fans made of gauze, crepe lisse or crepe
are still fashionable. Such delicate materi-
ala require very light mountings and they
are therefore of light wood enameled,
carved or ebonizsd, as may seem most ap-
propriate. Feather fans of curled ostrich
tips, are however considered stylish and
here the mountings are heavier and richer,
ivory, mother of pearls, or tortoise she'll
being employed and all showing deft carv-
ings Fan chateleines remain popular,
especially if in dark silver.
RosALIND MAY.