Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-08
SPRING FASHIONS.
THE PARAsoL A. THING or BEAUTY
ANDA JOY FOREVER.
A Charming Tea-Gown which Departs
from Prevailing Models-wooi-
lens I'm Rough Finish.

fCorrespondsnce OF the Richmond DISPATCH
New York, March THE spring parasoi
Ia q thing of beauty and Joy forever
Also. il is an expensive trihe and an acces-
sorry to the seasonable outing toilet tnae 10
by no means the smallest item in the total
Most of the new parasols are white, con-
sisting of white net and white lace. Inc
combinations Of these dmphanous mate
rails are innumerable. On one parasoi tne
lace forms merely O deep edgins; on an
other il appears in the form OF narrow
border and small centre surrounding 'no
stick.
A third specimen shows alternate 10,
dating sections of dotted white net ahu
white lace. On q fourth the net appears
in the form of futed divisions radia'ihs
from the centre. ,;,,,
Sometimes black lace IS combined Will
white gauze or surah, forming eltnei
border or other trimming.
ANOTHER SPECIMEN.
One handsome parasol is altogether Oh
black lace. surrounded toward tne 49,
with number of concentric lines-pernspo
twelve OF fifteen-ot narrow No. ! laVenosr
ribbon woven in and out OF the mesn.
On a parasol of white silk q centrepiece
and small semi-circle sections between Ino
riba are inserted of black lace. The STICKS
are short-yery much shorter than those
of last year. The handle is either q mere
monumental continuation OF the stlcA
and therefore of natural wood. OF u cOn-
sists of small figure OF Dresden cnlI 1i.
These little porcelain figures are especiaiiy
favored, II,
Ones evening fan is dainty and deli
cate trife of white or black lace, con,
tanning a centre panel exquisitely palnte;a
with design of flowers or Cuplds IN Louls
XIV. stvle. The sticks are very slender anu
are usually of ivory, inlaid with gold.
TEA-GowE.
A recent tea-gown, which presented
something of change from preyalIilng
models. was of pale maizle-colored crepe
de chine on a Princesse model. The mate
rial was brought in thick fold from the
left shoulder across to the right MP on
the point of which 1t appeared 10 10
caught, tho skirt falling in loose lengths,
being en- frdfne The sleeves were OF inc
long-clinging "angel" pattern. revealing
the arms very prettily when raised.
A feature of the new woollens is the pre-
yaIence of patterns in rough finish on the
smooth-surfaced cloths. These patterns
consist of small isolated scallops, circles,
dots. squares, or palm-leaves, contrasting
the ground tint, and, where the body OF
the material is smooth, the figures present
hairy effects. This IS especially notlceaoie
on the cancels hairs. These goods comeln
large cross-bar effects, the bars rough ana
the squares finished.
NEW LEASE or LIFE.
The Louis XIV. coat has taken q new
lease of life and will be the stylish street
wrap of the spring season. One OF the
handsomest designs have noticed was IN
a fawn-colored faced cloth--a fabric woven
with n rich embroidered border. The en-
broidery. which was in colored silks, was
about twelve inches deep and the cloth
had been so utilized in making the gar
ment that this embroidered portion cover
ed the upper portion of the waist and the
lower halves of the sleeves, producing
novel and altogether charming. result.
Underneath was a vest OF gray SILK apso-
lutely covered with gray silk braid and cut
steel passementerie.
CAPE DESIGN.
A novel cape design extends the garment,
which has heretofore not come much De-
low the elbows, down below the waist.
The appearance OF these new capes Is hoe
altogether graceful, and they appear TO be
a kind of cross between capes and man.
ties. but they appear likely to enjoy popu-
larity as the season advances.
For children they show quaint street
frocks of cloth In PLAIN colorlngs, when
are made with yokes and very full sleeves
Of fancy surahs.
THE FURRIERs' SEASON.
Fur has by no means outlived its useful-
ness for trimming of street dresses and fur
garnitures appear on many OF the newest
models. This has certainly been a season
for the furriers. Let US hope they are con-
graduating themselves on long bank ac-
counts. However, fashion is capricious-
even more 80 than her cousin, fortune. IL
is only in Russia that one can depend on
wearing furs two years consecutivelv
Next winter, perhaps, our very nuns Will
be of cloth.
Although fancy hosiery is not quite
popular, vertical stripes in well-chosen,
colors are worn once more.
MANY of the new outer garments show
large gold buttons, whose surfaces are alb
solutely plain and smooth.
Flat gold braid is being generally used
on the spring street jackets and walking
dresses.
OTHER FASHION NOTES.
Plaids are rampant once more and are in
some of the most outrageous combinations
of color. However, as their popularity APP
pears to be in direct ratio to their hldeous-
ness, the designers probably knew their
business.
For little boys the spring sheet garb ap-
pears to consist OF the never-failing sailor
suit.
Enamel floral effects set with stones rule
in jewelry.
A new form Of evening bodice is cut in
deep vandykes around the corsage opening.
and one is haunted in beholding II with the
fear that the points will not remain in po-
sition.
Metal passementeres were never SO alto
gether popular Scarcely street-gown is
sent ont by the ,nodiSes without this