The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-15
IrYrnrss
The New Fashion q. Gcthsr. or Geedy 1lnts
In scrvsnts' Attire.

In Servants Attire.
At very smart function on Fifth avenue the
other evening some Of the guests were much
impressed by the presence OF three scarlet
coated attendants. with powdered heads. who
served under tho direction OF a grave English
butler Ia full dress. In view OF the rapid
growth Of foreign ceremonial etiquette in this
country. the innovation was scarcely sur
prising. For some time past It was we'll
known that two leaders of the beau monde oil
New York wero only waiting tho arrival OF
suitable ~liveries from London TO transform
their modest footmon into full blown lunkies.
They had studied up tho matter thoroughly
on the other side. and felt sure tho time was
ripe for the Introduction OF silk stockinsed
servants over here.
That this last social departure proved Salts
factory and handsomely effective no one pres
emit will pretend to deny. Tho light knee
breeches. buckled shoes. gold-laced rod coats.
and white heads Of the men. furnish fine bits
OF color in yellow drawing rooms. as we'll as
against the dark furnishings OF tho rost OF the
house. They were all threo tall. broad-shoul-
dered. fresh-faced young fellows. with straight
limbs and upright carriage. Watching them
moving about tho nowor.trimmed tables they
seemed very sympathetic additions to tho
brilliant picture.
This latest novelty mny mako the dressing
OF ones servants as complicated n question In
Now York as in England. where SO much stress
is laid upon ~liyeries. Only those thoroughly
informed ms to the nice distinctions observed
should ever attempt to step beyond the con-
ventional limits. Better be served by n white
capped maid all ones life than a second man
with low-cut vest or n butlcr whose coat de-
viates ever 30 slightly from the claw-hammer
pattern. The rules laid down by English eti-
duette are plain. inflexible. and we'll worthy Of
attention by those proposing to indulge in q
little foreign lummery:
10 begin with. ones, butler should never ap:
pear IN the morning In other than lacQuered
waistcoat huttoninG noariy to the throat.
Until afternoon this is d. .ri1ue,. but by the
time . o'clock tea is served he is supposed to
shirt. iow,pointed vest. a white cravat. and lis
best evening coat, in which he serves dinner.
smallest touch of color. He is the recognized
hend OF the servants, and rs such is superior
livery is possible. Tho trousers arc OF dark
%S!t or red %Sg aown green Ire oa Titd q s .any Linz Hs Of rs ySl,
2 high collar. small dark TIC. and vest that
instens up to hide every particle OF the shirt.
silver buttons. His coat is a swailowtail. and
marks his morning and evening toilets.
However. II footmen arc put into court
dress after Z o'clock they arc very gorgeous
creatures. They then grease their hair Tibor-
ally with tallow and whiten it with n plentiful
sprinkling OF flour. Their limbs are encased
In silk hose. they wear low. bucklcd pumns.
velvet knee breeches. buff or blue waiStcoats.
and dark red or yellow coats. When special
splendor is desired. gimp is used for elaborate
frogging and shoulder knots. but as this or
nnmenta.ion is only employed by noblemen
abroad it seems Il trifle snobbish in this coun-
try. 1t Is not form to adopt brooches with less
than two footmen; and only in big households
chosen partly witt. reference to their size and
fine compilations. for small. sallow creatures
look absurd in powder and plush.
or late. New Workers who support double
broughams with two men on the box have
ventured to add considerable color to thor
establishments Scarlet brow bands are de-
cidedly In vogue. with crimson or yellow
r~osettes on the head stalls. big cockades or
tho hats OF the coachmen and groom. and one
OF these two colors lining tho mems trousers
and edging their vests and coats.
The snartest combination in liveries this
season is n warm reddish brown with touches
Of scarlet The mems clothes are OF heavy
Melton OF the two shades mentioned above.
with big gilt buttons. double breasted over
coats reaching nearly to their heels. foX-color-
ed gloves. stitched with black. and for very
cold weather high-collared wolf-skin capes
and cuffs. They are supposed to be as fit as
English tailors can turn, them out. When
Is always painted in exactly the same tint OF
inside, lining OF pure golden brown satin or