Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-11
WINTER FASHIONS.
THE SHORT WRAP OR "REEFERpTHE
THING FOR THE SEASON.
The FancifuI Applications Of woelisn
Dress Fabrics--A Model Theatre
Dress-Evening Gowns.
rcorrssDonaouce Of tn. Richmond plsp..cs.,

tCorrespondence Of the Richmond Dispstcn.l
New YoRK, January 10, 1891.
The short wrap Of thes season Is by prefer
ence the Refer" or at least somewhat
on that model. 1t is indeed quite favor
ite. and with good deal of reason. Even
thus late in the season the REFER, as 1t is
now made. will prove good investment.
They are made in the well-known loose.
open style. short on the hips. with very
square, straight edge in front; and they
include for the present season q close
fitting waistcoat. in many cases made with
a double-breasted effect, the intention
being that the jacket shall be open and
thrown back. Being of smooth-fnished-
faced cloths, III the darker. palmer shades
of the season. they Will prove useful for
spring street-garments. and with the waist
coat omitted they may even be worn during
the summer. at the seashore or in the noun
tains for instance.
WRAP sHAPEs.
Plain cloth long wraps are in semi-new-
market and ulster shapes, and 1t has be-
como general to add fur cape over the
long garment. In fact, one wears ones
cape on everv conceivable occasion, if one
is so fortunate as to possess the jaunty lit
tie garment.
On the subject of furs have been wait
ing to see the announcement of coming
increase in prices ever since reading the
account of the London fire. which recently
DESTROYED one of the greatest fur-houses in
the trade with its stock. However, those
reports will doubtless be saved for next
season,
A THEATRE GOWN.
Here is theatre gown. Unusually quiet,
but in good style. The material, q soft
fine woollen almost resem bling cashmere.
IL 10 altogether useless TO attempt to givea
name to every variety of woollen dress
fabric that appears. The names are not
even followed in the trade, since they are
usually mere fanciful appellations chosen
at random by the manufactures and hav-
ing about as much significance as the title
of new linen collar or satin neck-tle. To
resume: The material is in the. palest,
most neutral of gray shades. q little diff
cult to most women, but admirably suited
TO the girl for whom this dress was in
tended, since she is brunette, with
glowing color in her cheeks. The bodice
Is SHRED slightly at the neck and waist,
thus giving the front slight appearance
of fitness.
NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT.
It was not dScouSte-no, not even little
IL.
though the dress were for ordinary street
wear. Only for the opera is the low neck per-
missible. From the left side of this bodice
was carried q square panel attached to it
by bows of ribbon. broad and OF the same
color rs the material. On the other side
the skirt is looped, even so slightly TO the
hip; and these are the only suggestions OF
drapery. AS to the garniture. ostrich-fea-
Their trimming has been employed Of the
4 l.. Il or1ro thar hn
dress goods. 1t is very literally used, too;
and then there is long feather boa to go
with the dress.
NATIONS GOWNS.
The matrons of society who are not in
clined to such excess in dress as the frivo-
lous buds are wearing black almost with
unanimity this winter for their evening
gowns. Black satin, with black lace or
black feather-trimming sometimes there
is a touch of brocade-a panel on the skirt,
for instance, and occasionally the skirt Is
draped with black tulle, but the sober hue
prevails. The fact is the women who have
| arrived at years of discretion realize that
| the same variety and style in dressing is
not required of them which their daugh-
tiers anG younger sisters display. and eco
nomical motives are permitted to have
some influence. For, between u.s.. there IS
nothing quite so seryiceable as black eve
| ming gown.
The round hat is the popular head-gear.
| It is simply trimmed with cloth. usually
matching the gown in color, and with un-
| cut velvet ribbon to contrast. Perhaps a
bird or wing is added, but not necessarily.
ADEEP MYSTERY.
The fastening, or rather the place OF
fastening, of the fashionable gown re-
mains, at least to the untutored eve, O
mystery deeper than those or Udolphs.
As to the manner of bringing our gowns
together-we have entirely discarded put
| tons-the more discreet and unobtruslye
hook-and-eye is now inevitable except for
| the occasional evening-gown,. which laces
with silken cord up the back. But most
of the stylish ball-dresses have then
bodices hook-and-eyed up beneath the
right the opening ending at tho arm-hole
| The plan is undoubtedly advantageous
particularly for decoU6te bodices. as the
front-ft secured is perfect.
OTHER NOTES.
We wear pink velvet peoples on our mil
linery and on our ball gowns as well.
| The fan of ostrich feathers has become
universal, Genuine carved-shell sticks are
proper; if the fan is white, the sticks are OF
mother-o'-p
Bowling is extremely popular for ladie:
| this year; most OF the Ialr ue'otecS VI u,
alley wear loose flannel blouses, straight
skirts and tennis shoes; and the record
makers roll without coIsets.
On recent demi-toilette the entire cor
SAGE was of shining black jet work, looking
not unlike the cuIrass of comic-opert
Amazon.
Little Lord Fauntleroy's" bad effect!
on Juvenile dress have vanished, save one
that is, the wearing of leather leggins. by
the little chaps. One sees them very ire
quently.
Bonnet-ties are of the very narrowes
velvet ribbon.
The corsage openings of the charming
white ball gowns our younger ladies veal
are edged with snowy, soft swansdown
Indoors we continue to wear gowns Of
soft, white woollen goods. &. ID. Nj,