Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-19
THE FASHIONS.
The ALL-lMPoRTANT MATTER OF
HATS AND eONNETS.
Felt Hats and Evening Headgear-Tea
Gowns and Pretty Patterns-Walking
Gowns-rancy Balls and
Odds and Ends
LcOrr.sponaepce o. q, I.lchnona pi.p.sch.l

II Is an odd time of year 10 talk about
hats, but must plead IN extennation of
the few remarks have 20 offer under that
head The deplorablc dearth OF subjects TOT
the fashion chronieler's pen.
Hats. then. are large; distinctly large.
Ihey are Rembrandtesaue, picturesque,
grotesque They are Of smooth felt and Of
shaggy, Angora felt. which is yerv fluffy
and very pretty, coming In number OF
Inherent shades.
FELr HATS
have several distinct advantages. To
youthful faces they are universally ba-
coming-nav. moro; they give TO PLAIN
face that kind Of piquancy or romance
which IS only degree removed from
beauty. And they finish pretty connie
nance with a most appropriate frame.
Again. they are not expensive. for they re-
quire little trimming. To cover felt
shape with garnture destroys all It's erect,
and hence large knot of ribbons twhose
color should be chosen With some dlscre-
ton, however placed on enc side IS all
that Is necessary.
MIN DoN'T LIKE THEM.
However, think most OF the male sex
viii agree with me in thinking that felt
hats are decidedly out OF place at the thea
tres. Cunning little evening bonncts,
dainty capotes. coquettish turbans. jarfty
tOques. these furnish . solution OF the
theare problem, aud a solution which has
been universally adopted. These close.
small evening honnets require effective and
somewhat brilliant trimming Insignia
cant IN size as they ore, che tasbIonable
m liner expends more thought and care
and taste upon them than upon any OF ber
confections.
EVENING HRADGEAI-
Startling, striking color contrasts are the
expedients usually resOrted 10 for securing
effect on evening healgear. Black and
red (the red Of the most vivid tint known
to the DYER. black and yellow (either ca
nary or mustsrd-color, heliotrope and
green. white and red. pale blue and white.
pale green and white, white and gold, or
silver these are some Of the combinations
which may be observed rising like spring
crocuses in the orchestra stalls OF tho fash
ionable theatres.
FANCY BALLS.
This winter there has been some revival
Of fancy dress evening dances. They are
very gay and brilliant at tairs, but il IL no.
ticeablc that there Is little novelty IN the
character costumes chosen. The tavorite
but hacbneyed impersonatIons of years
ago continue 10 appear IN endless repeti-
ton. Rebeccas. MAIDS Of Perth, NeDuscs,
paulnes. Auroras, Diana Vernons, Queen
Ehzabeths. Marie Stusrts-'hev are dupll-
Gated and rcduplicated until they become
direfuily monotonous. For this reason
Dickens parties hays taken the popular
favor. At these AFFAIRS the guests attire
themselves IN the costumes of the we'll
known characters OF the great novelist.
TEA-GowSs
are among the blessings of womankind for
which the race Of Eve have cause 10 be
thankful. For every variety OF figure or
complexion they ore appropriate and A.
tractlvc. Nowadays they are generally
adopted ne evening wear at homo, tor we
arc not so cefemOnlOus here as abroad,
and DO not absolutely demand full
dress after o'clock.
Speaking of tea-gowns. | noted one few
nights ago winch seemed 20 suit the lady
wearing il 60 youthful married woman,
brunette Of compleSion) perfectly. 1t was
of black surah, made en- tram, with
standing Medici collar, lined with black
lace. and full sleeves. which yet did not
approach the dimensions of tho 9,got. The
entire front was OF pale-yehow sat,n.
From the throat to the waist this formed
full Mol,ero front. but below the waist 1t
bad the appearance of q separate pettIcoat
beneath the Overdress OF surah, and was
draped exquisitely with black Spanish lace.
TIA AxD wsLKrNo-GowNs.
Another model "a Paris m one) consists
Of a black silk PrinCeSse gown, drawing
aside over petticoat of pink satin, and
drapng over the front with pale pink en-
broidered cripe ds chine. Black IN these two
gowns prevailed. and this is true OF most
OF the tea-gOwns now worn
Walkng-gowns ARC now appearing IN
checked and striped chcviOts and tweeds.
on tailor-made models. very simple and
very plainly trimmed.
ODDS AxD LNDs.
Tam o'Shanter crowns OF velvet finish
many of the small tOque3 for street wear.
A new fad III iewelry IS small golden
bracelet, IN which IS inserted a miniature
time-picce.
While on the subject Of bracelets 1t IS
proper now 20 acquire vast number OF
very narrow silver bands. and TO string as
many az possible on ones arms. Catllr
| girls are thus outrivalled by our highly civil
| lized young ladies.
Fur garnitures appear on some OF the
nattiest street suits, and Astrakhan. or
! lambs wool have even been introduced as
| borderings and trimmings on indoor
| dresses.
Black hosiery continues to hold its own.
! and is still to lie considered standard. ke-
cently. however. for street-wear. stockings
! of heavy quality have been given the pre-
ference in solid cOlor5, as gray, dark green.
mode. etc.
Inc introduction Of velvet sleeves into
cloth waists has led to the further adop-
ton of velvet yokes and zOuaves.
To be absolutely lie rtyutrl. ones street
gown should be severely plain. c. II. NJ.