Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-12
FASHIONS FANCIES.
ATTRACTIVE GOWNS IN MATERIAL
AND CUT FOR LADIES OF AGE.
Gayety OF tho Seasons Underwear
Abolition o the Chemise.

Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch.I
New York, Juno 1l.--One OF tho
hardest-felt penalties time imposes upon
woman is the gradual restriction OF her
freedom OF attire. Everything is posi-
bic to the young, but towards middle
ago tho limits OF choice grow ever mar
rover, until dress becomes merelya
utilitarian problem and no longer de-
lightful occupation.
Nowadays, however, tho woman who
has passed the palmiest days and APP
proaches the grand ciimacteric is not ac-
cused Of unseemly levity of behavior II
she endeayors to render her gowns some
what attractive in material, cut, and
trimming. a greater range OF fabrics
are open to her.
The crepons, in tho quieter shades OF
brown, heliotrope. blue, and gray, are al
together appropriate for street wear. |
have seen several ladies' Of very certain
age attired in these soft materials, made
up with the Russian blouse. and nobody
made the inyidious remark that they
were dressed TOO young Tor their
years" either.
CHARarSG GRENADINES.
Then there are the grenadines. These
are more than commonly charming this
year. They should be chosen III black
grounds, and those showing tiny color
ed silk figure, Stimulating embroidery,
are decidedly 10 be preferred. Ia making
up these may be combined With black
bengaline or surah not very much
trimming Is required. bat one or two
bows or chOur OF ribbon IN q shade 10
match the complexion are allowable and
will relieve the dress effectively.
Alpaca IS an old fayouto that has been
treated rather shabby for several years
past, but is again to the fore. Tbs IS
distinctly a "middle-aged material.
and is mostly worn in various shades Of
gray, mado up with braid and passe-
menterio in darker shades than the dress
material. Henriettas are also TO be
counted among the fabrics that become
a matronly figure, and, rs last sugges-
ton, it is to 10 recollected that at this
season q gown of black lace is appro-
pirate, cool, graceful, end altogether
satisfying.
GAUDnY CoLORED.
It noticeable Of tho seasons under
wear that it has 3 tendency 10 q rather
bizarre gayety OF coloring--not to say
gaudiness. Colored ba;iste are by many
preferred 10 the sheeE white that was
formerly the SINE g.t0 nan OF a gentle
woman's lingerie, and these batistes and
lawns show frequently tiny figure or
dot in q family contrasting shade. Even
when the material Of the garments IL OF
. the snowiest there is always a proiusion
Of brilliantly-colored ribbons to supply
/ lightsome and yariegsted garniture-
| the sort OF thing 10 make our grand
mothers lift ND their hands in holy
/ horror.
Night-dressesin particular are adorned
with large chdur Of MORE ribbon at IN
teryals down tho front the sleeves,
which are always very full, arc caught
up short with knots Of tho same ribbon.
aud the Vatican back has steamers OF
ribbon attached between tho shoulders.
NEw COMBINATION.
Genuine novelties in undergarments
are not frequeut-at least since the heart
has been driven out OF tho dress reform
movement-but English designers have
recently produced several One Is d
new combination which unites in sill
or batisto tho bodice, petticoat, and
drawers. and obyiates all necessity
for the chemise-a garment who's
anomalous character has more than onc'
suggested its abolition. Ia conflict witt
the latter idea, however, is q particularly
fetching model from the hands OF anothe
London designer. This is chemise made
with q kind OF pompadour front, witt
deep. three-cOrnered rsveTs OF lace, III
tended to turn over the front OF the corset
This mode was adopted for "a recen
English troUsscau intended for yer,
stylish bride.
DIsTINGUE SGdHr-GOwN5.
Night-gowns follow the outer dress IL
fastening down the side. A night-dres
that buttons in front is now the excep
ton. IL il fashionable for the seams o
the garment 70 consist OF narrow IN
sertions Of lace. Drawers are short an,
wide aud are distinguished by extreme
as to garniture. The lace-hnish Is eN
ceptionslly deep on ono model Will,
another. claimed to DO the more distingu
OF he two. is edged With q very brie
runle Of embroidery in en- oak-leaf an'
acorn design done beautifully by haad
silk underwear is not very popula
and may be said to DO altOgethe
neglected for summer wear. The sheer
est linens, lawns, nainsooks, aud batiste
are dc r{gUeur.
DANCING GOWNS.
In preparing for the summer vacation
ont OF town it is not likely that outinl
dresses of every description will b
neglected, but it is sometimes forgotten
that the evenings at tho resort hotels ar'
worthy OF consideration in the makeup
Of ones wardrobe, and that a dancing
gown or two will come IN useful. Tn
heavy. cossly fabrics used for city eve
ming dress are undesirable for this pur
nose. and Indias, changeable silks, crepe
and chiffon viii be found most desirable
Seaside dresses exhibit q tendency Il
most pronounced tones OF red.
Douhle-notched reyers distinguish tn
coats Of the latest outing dresses.
FASHION NOTES.
Fton jackets are applied to boys suits
and are there more appropriate than o.
the gowns Of the boys older sisters.
, The silk shirt has been adapted to Ia
. dies riding costumes.
, Travelling coats arc en- 0riRccsse, wit
the indispensable belt combining them a
the waist.
, Lace-pins are preferably in moor
( stones and silver mountings, and are /
grotesque designs Of owls, sphinxe'
3 &c, &c.
The pelerine has caught the popuIa
taste as an outer garment. The pelerin
, is q kind OF hybrid tits neither mantl
: nor cape, but suggests both.
All manner Of pretty iabots and pia
irons enliyen the fronts Of our waist
They are charmingly coniriyed III CHI
Z fon, crepe de chine, and lace.
, Russian crepons are sllk-and-woo
, ! = al. t,.l ersfrraq hrpuO