The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-02
ATTIRE FOR
THE ALTAR.
How Some OF the Paris and the
London Brides Are GoWned.
The French Maiden Who Looks Back to Her
Girlhood and the English Bride Who
Puts On Lace and Diamonds.

TIHONDON. Oct 1S.-The lack of dis
Sf tinction" in a republic is subject fire.
ES Quently discussed in Old World cir
Giles, but certain small vulgarities which
English society tolerates have long been
outrrown in democratic America. Among
these | reckon the publication in the high
class weeklies Of Great Britain of lists of
wedding gifts drawn out in length ad
nauseam. One may be mildly interested in
the diamond crescent given by the bride
groom to the bride. and in the sleeve-links
given by the bride to the groom, and even
in the check and complete set Of drawing
room furniture" given by the brides father
to the happy couple, but when 1t comes to.
the SILVER button-hook offered by the Hon.
Miss Maxwell Witham," and the white
China swans from Lady Frances Michel"
and the pair muffiners from the Misses
Macapine Levy" and the sardine-tongs
from Mr.. John Clutterbucke,' and the tea
COSY from Dowager Lady Dick Cunyng-
hame," then one wonders that some enter
prising American journal does not send
reporter Oh two over to take lessons in writ
ing personalities. This sort Of thing is re-
peated column after column, page after
page throughout the year, with free adver-
tisements for the makers OF the trousseau
gowns, until it would seem that the appetite,
even of jenkins, for iam-spoons. and silver
crumb-scoops and red plush pin-cushi0ns
must pail.
The bridal dress varies less both in Lon
don and Paris than in America. Wedding
ceremonies take place by daylight; there
fore dresses are never low in the neck nor
sh0rt-sleeved. Aside from this reason, it
would not be though. proper for bride to
make a display Of NECK and arms. The
English bride is attred more like her Amer
lean sister in that her gown Is often the
most elaborate and rich in decoration that
money can buy, whereas tue young french
girl goes to the altar simply and harmonious
ly rather than cOnspicuously clothed. In
both these fashion capitals heavy materials
are now in vogue for brides. Rich white or
ivory, or iris silk brocades, white failles or
occasionally bengalines are cut invariably
with long court trains. Everybody knows
that most brides would look prettier in soft
~ draping thin stu1is like mousseline de
sole OF crepe, but the French maiden at0nes
partially for this lack of youth and lightness
in her adornings by wearing no jewelry, I'M
less she be of royal blood, no lace unless the
vaienciennes III her childhood. and only a
long gauzy illusion veil reaching to the edge
of her train.
The French bride looks back to her maid
enhood, the English forward to her new dig
mites. The English bride is already young
uIdlIOH Ill uTtss- Will ulduiouu oldi hoollhB
in her hair, diamond brooch and bracelets,
heavy gold embroideries lending splendor to
her skirts, and the richer, more dignihed
laces of wOmanhood garnishiDg her draper
les and hanging about her for bridal veil.
No French girl is ever married with
orange blossoms, but it is not the thing to
wear any profusiOn of them. A simple
wreath, a tiny boutonnere pinned at the
neck or at the belt. and small bouquet TO
carry in the hand are invariable. No other
flower is seen. The English bride uses
orange blossom garlands to loop her skirt
and orange sprays to fasten her veil, but
her huge, awkward ribbon-tied bouquet, be-
hind which she is fairly hidden, is oftener
mass OF lilies and orchids or white roses and
chrysanthemums
French bridesmaids are less picturesque
than those New York is in the habit of see
ing. IL is only rarely that any arrangement
Is made beforehand as to the cut or color Of
their dresses, aud so one misses the pquantly
charming groups which are often the pref
tiest features of American weddings. Brides
maids gowns are usually light silks cut with
high necks and long sleeves. Trains are dis
pensed with because the brides girl attend