Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-29
THE SPRING FASHION
THE NEWEST THINGS IN OUTER GAR
MENTS-THE CAVALIER CAPE
Tho "Loufs Coats" the Rage for Street
wear--GIoves, shoes, and Stockings In
the Ensemble Of . Toilet.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispstch.]
NEW YoRK, March 2s.--The very newest
thing In spring outer garments is known a.
the cavalier cape-a name about as appro-
pirate as fashion nomenclature is apt to
be. It Is one of the most graceful gar
ments devised Of recent years and Is as.
sured Of favor. IL representa- kind OF
compromise between the shouider-cape,
mantle, and coat. fitting the form back
and front like the latter, but having grace
fuily-draped wing sleeves IN place OF the
coat sleeve. without these sleeves TINS
wrap resembles closely-ftted walstcoat,
having only holes through which the arms
are passed. the wings being added As may
be imagined. 1t is far more comtor.apie
than the cape, which COMPRISES ana re-
strains the arms; while yet an sae PIC
turesqueness of the caDe Is obtained.
The cavalier cape is developed in the
fine faced cloths and broadcloths that are
used tor street coats in the gray and tan
shades so much worn this year ana Also IN
black. The front and back are usually
deliberately braided OF covered with passe-
menterie.
oTHTR STILES.
Black lace capes are among the stylish
street garments of the present season.
One OF the handsomest have seen was
made in combination with velvet, showing
wing sleeves of the lace. A very new and
striking feature of the wrap was the collar
which was bor-pledtod (of the yelvet) stand
ing so as somewhat to resemble medici
collar.
THE LOUIS ". SHAPE.
The Louis" coats, as We were come to
calling them. are almost having Things
| their own way. They have become aoso-
| lutely essential TO the wardrobes OF those
| who pretend to follow the mode; Inc
Louis XIV. shape is beyond.all doubt the
handsomest variation OF the street coat
| that has been produced for the past hve
years 1t is graceful. and there is not that
| element of musculimity about 1t that dis
| tinguishes the usual coat or street jacket.
But the prevailing Louis coat is as costly
a. II ia satisfying. IL il of fine broad
cloth. covered with expensive embroidery,
| applique work or passementerle. or eise ~
| is black silk brocade trimmed with lace
| and jet. In the latter case u becomes
| dress wrap, aud may be used for carriage
and for evening wear.
| eLovED AND BOOTED.
| To be well gloved and well booted is the
| French equivalent for being well dressed,
and ] think most women OF taste fuily
recognize of how much important tn,
1
| stockings really are in the ensemble OF q
toilet But fashionable shoes and stock
| ings this season mean bizarre and sensa-
| tional novelties. claiming a share OF the at
| tention for their conspicuousnesS wnich
| thev should rather command for their har-
| mony and agreement with the costume.
| Boots, for instance, are foxed IN patent
| calf, no longer black against the black kid
body "a combination which has prevailed
/ often
| white and sometimes IN colors. In TACT
the shoe stores that now cater for the
trade of upper-tendom resemble theatrical
| Quitting establishments.
Hosiery follows suit. The plain, tasteful
black, II would seem. will give way during
| the spring and summer to every variety OF
| fancy stockings in vertical stripes, polka
| dots, fgurings and-it is almost too dill
cult TO belieye-plaids. Yes, if one wears
gown plaid goods this season, one must
| wear the hose to match.
QUIET coLoEISGs.
Most Of .the demi-toilet, reception,
and dinner dresses tend TO quiet colorings.
The usual combinations are of faille, Ben
Caline, or other silk, with silk brocade all
in different tones of the same color. The
brocade is literally used on the waist and
Is applied in tho form of panels on the
skirt.
| CARRIAGE COSTUME.
One Of the richest carriage costumes OF
the early season is shown III a combination
of light heliotrope silk-warp Henrietta
cloth with silk brocade, including three
shades or the same color. The short
bodice of the cloth is so fastened as ia
show on the front kind of inverted V oil
the brocade. and the same material com.
poses the full sleeves. One side OF the
skirt also consists Of the brocade, panelled
| with narrow lengths of dark heliotrope
velvet. while the panels are divided by
bands of gold and heliotrope passemen'
terie The dress is rich enough for any
social occasion except dancing, but it Is
still merely carriage" gown. it being
the rule TO show oneself in the park during
the afternoons in this sort of attire.
OTHER FASHION NOTES.
The "pail-head" trimming is the freaE
of the year. 1t literally consists of little
bright-headed nails passed through the
cloth and riveted, the heads forming. sym
metrical designs on the surface OF the
The new French and Scotch ginghami
are distinctly the goods for children:
wear. They make serviceable and tastefu
school dresses. and are much in demand
for the purpose.
IL Is permissible for street wear to have
ones gown made with habit skirt IL
place of the strict sheath, the former
being slightly full.
The English crepe ulster in high-colorec
cloths and checked materials is the spring
street garment for girls and misses,
One Sees an occasional huge tilted white
Leghorn coaching shape midst the legion
of tiny toques and turbans, and it is a re
lief to the eye.
After tomorrow fashions spring season
is fairly opened, and one 10 justified II
throwing of dull winter toggery, emerging
in ell the radiance of the new gown anc
bonnet that mark tho yernal period.