Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-01
WEAR FOR LADIES.
WHAT DAME FASHION DICTATES FROM
NEW YORK.
IN. s,r..,-ccat--spring Sfiilinsry-A Pic
tureseu. Rec ption-Gown-ih'L LILY
of-the-vaIiey.

rcorrssnondsnce Of the Richmond Dispa'on'l
NV YORK., February 2s.-The principal
outer.carment of tho coming season wiz
be the street-coat, as II IS called ana iuii-
length wraps will be but little worn:
OF the new coats it is to DO noted bow,
svor that they are quite long, coming wen
below the hips and they are htted win
tailor-made precision. Most OF them are
emf round on tho bottom; the sleeves are
sIiobtlv full and have the high points on
sba shoulders that have ruled all manner
Of garment. during the past year
They cover the fronts Of the coats as
we'll az the sleeves With braiding. Some
are ablaZe with gold cord moroidery ana
on Others silver braid appears, the metal
effects being fancied.
MATERIALS AND CoLosrNd.
Az 20 the materials and colorings. Inc
smooth-faced English cloths, broadclotbs.
meltons. etc, in fawns, tans, and grays
appear 10 rule. Until late in the spring
fur will continue to be extensively used
for trimming.
In spring millinery as far as displayed
small, wire forms that fit low upon the head
close and are covered with flowers prevaI.
Flowers are practically the solo garnlture,
ployed. Lilies-of-tbe-valley, violets, hello
trope. and Marguerites are the specially
favored specimens of horticulture that
appear on the spring bonnets, and OF these
yiolets are the first choice.
cHEvIoTs AND TwEEDs.
One sees pretty much the usual selection
of Surfing cheviots and Scotch tweeds IN
browns and grays with fine stripes ana
checked effects. These come forth with
annual regularity and do not merit speclal
DESCRIPTION. But it is to be observed that
thev are very charmingly made up IN the
prevailing modes. The long waist and
sheath skirt, together with the genera
plainness of the costume, suit well with
these materials.
REcIPTIoN-GowNs.
On recent reception-gown notice the
introduction Of paniers, which we have
scarcely seen since the auspiclous DAY
when we made acquaintance with the
tailor-made costume. On the oIess ~
question the paners formed part, not OF
the skirt or drapery, but of the waist 1t
self. This was in q pompadour brocaded
silk-a rich pattern with black ground and
admirably chosen colorings of Nlle-green
and crimson. Combined with the quaint
form of the gown the lady wearing 1T
looked as though she might have stepped
from q ballroom of the latter part OF the
eighteenth century. The bodice was open
in front, drawing in only at the waist,
whence the pulled paniers expanded on
either hip. Beneath was waistcost OF
cream crepe de chine laid in vertical folds,
giving very soft etfect-a good contrast
to the extravagant richness OF the brocade.
This waistcoat was cut to shallow az
the neck, although the dress being indeed
merely demi-toilette was by no means de-
colletG. A petticoat OF black satin' with
the merest suggestion at one side OF
second petticoat Of the, brocade, CON-
pleted very picturesque gown.
UNDERWEAR.
Figured batiste-the fine qualities OF
French batiste with small sprlgs or dots IN
light, delicate colors on white-ls now the
prevailing fabric for underwear. Even inc
corsets are now covered with this material.
Speaking of underwear 1t IS noticeable
that we no longer employ English In re-
ferring to it. In fact, We don't know I'M
derwear now-we wea: lingerie. Chemlse,
being already the Gallo designation, Is re-
tanned, but the other garments are respect
lively the upon" the "pantalons," and
robe de nuit."
CORDUROY.
We have an old friend with MS once more
in corduroy. And l for one hold out cor
dial welcoming hand to the odd fabric that
has become almost stranger TO us. They
are using corduroy now particularly for
street coats, but 1t will be also employed
during the spring for street wear. The
very palest gray shade is the color favored.
1t is almost white and is the softest, pref
test tint corduroy that comes in. Cordu-
roy possesses one very practical adyan-
tage-it wears.
If one has professions to fashion, one
decorates one room il ones home IN white
and gold and there serves O'Clock tea and
receives afternoon callers.
THE LILY-oF-THB-vALLEY.
The humble lily-of- the-valley figures as
the distinctly popular blossom. 1t will be
extensively used in spring millinery.
Some of the new street-gowns show on
the front breadth of the skirt deep
founce of black net.
White India silks, figured in colors with
small sprigs or other insignificant designs,
are among the most charming OF the
newly-opened dress goods.
Tho size of the muff has gradually
lessened with the advancing season, and
now one keeps ones hands warm with diff
fculty.
The prevalence Of oyergaiters is so uni
versal that it is hardly good form TO let
ones boots appear in public any moro. If
il be true that women dress for men, this
fad-for it ls nothing else-wil speedily
disappear. Nothing il more admirable
than a pretty foot, and these inventions
would prove fatal to the charms even of
Iipderallo's aytremltiaa