Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-17
FASHIONS DECREE.
a STATELY AND GRACEFUL CLOTH
STREET OR VISITING GOWN.
Chsrmins Rsbss for Rsoeivinx Aftssnooa
Callers or for Kvsnine wesr-Furs IN
Mid-winser sglliinsrv-Foosgsss.

Correspondents Of the Richmond Dispaech-i
New YoRx. January i6.--After al, wo-
mankind has never yet, in the history OF
dress. discovered any form Of attire 80
stately. so graceful. so little married BY ex-
travagancies or absurdities as the present
plain cloth street or visiting gown. such
costume should be created in black
broadcloth united with black satin. The
upper portion assumes the form OF Louis
coat-erstwhile the graceful garment OF
courtier in the days of mirth and luxury
az Versailles-and the most picturesque
waist we have hit on in the past decade:
The deep cuffs are satin.faced; the vest
also Is of satin. and on these portions OF
the coat Jet passementerie Is applied The
skirt is o full bell, the front covered with
huge jet nail-heads +" finished by bor-
der of black astrachan. This band OF as
trachan on the foot Of the skirt Is becom-
ing almost universal.
The above describes q dress in black
cloth, but very dark browns. blues, ana
green's are developed in the same style.
AN EvzSIsG ROBE.
Among the most charming robes d int
cieue of the season (it is by this name we
now designate dress intended only for
indoor wear, for the reception Of afternoon
callers, or for informal evening wear nj
home) is one In white crepon. made strict
ly en- p-incesse. with the bell skirt lengtheu-
ed into demtrain. The most striking
feature is the font trimming. which con-
sists of rays-I can describe them IN no
other word-of narrow silver gallon. ex-
tending upward and downward from the
waist. Upward they radiate in fan-shape
as far as the curve OF the bust; below tney
extend over the front of the skirt. which
is finished at the foot by six or eight
horizontal rows OF the gallon.
sEAsoNABLE MILLINERY.
Fur is the password to the mid-winter
millinery. There are some big black felts
decorated with sable, the entire skin, with
head and tail bound about the crown, with
big bow of vividiy-colored satin ribbon
on the front. !.
Little round turhans are formed OF
ropes Of Jet radiating from the centre,
with velvet drawn through The rims are
coronets of let. The "Toreidor shape,
introduced at the beginning OF the season,
IS still a reiening favorite.
NOW 1T Is coLos.
According to the old-fashioned house
| wifely notions, spotless linen napery was
| the siJe qua non OF q well-ordered house
mold, but we have changed all that and
| the prevailing idea runs 10 color. For ex-
| ample, we have mauye, pale-blue or cana
ry-colored doylies and the large napkins
are embroidered in colored floral designs
| Sometimes the embroideries are in col
ored floss silks and they are daintiy
wrought so that one can but admire. al
though there is distinct inappropriate
ness in the fashion.
Speaking of napkins. the t'e,r-de-lys. a
fa tfA
forms of decorative work, runs riot
| through some of the newest table linen:
| Ii IL wrought upon the snowy surfaces OF
| the large table napkins. in gold color. so
| that they resemble the drdpedu blanc and
| seem best suited to the table OF some old
| Bourbon monarch.
As to the buffet covers. these are deco
rated not alone with embroidery. but as
| we'll with Jewels worked in the design.
| PLAIN KID-ToE.
The patent-leather foxing. which has
| figured fer some time on all fashionable
| footgear, it seems, was but fad and IS
passing away again With other WORKOUT
| vogues. The plain kid-toe reappears. but
| in slippers there IS a new fancy: lips OF
| gold and silver, most deliberately chased
and wrought. are worn upon the toes of
the stylish evening slipper. They are ad-
| Unstable to all footgear OF the same size
and SO do not require duplication. Being
totally objectless they will probably be
received With open arms.
One is startled now and then, whether IN
| the ballroom or upon the street. by 9
vision of feminine Mephistopheles clad
in flaming red from head to foot. These
| cardinal costumes are feature.
OTHER FASHION NOTES.
The deep coat aud the bell skirt have
even introduced themselves into mourning
costume and are produced in Henrietti
| cloth faced'with crepe.
The extreme Of luxury in lsngtrte has beer
| reached in the petticoat of satin brocadt
bounced with black Spanish or Chantilly
which has now made its appearance.
Indoors they continue to wear the nus
sian blouse, loose and full. Of rough cloth
The Russian belt Of linked silver Is q ia
yored successor to the chatelaine.
Venetian lace Is being most extensively
used upon all the latest evening costumes
The times of Henri Deux supply the
models for .he more historical OF our lat
ter-day costumes.
Ferns are preferred for thecorsage deco
ration of the evening dresses OF younl
ladies. and especially debutdnts.
The tea-gown ia now an affair OF the
richest brocade. united with the mos
dainty c''ene de chine.
All the violet aud heliotrope shades arr
revived.