Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24
WOMAN'S FASHIONS.
SIMPLICITY CAN'T Sc CHARGED
AGAINST PRESENT COSTUMES.
Dinaculs to Attire . Miss "-Tartsn Pisids
for ChiIdren--O Outdoor 0utfits for
Little Ones.
ccorr..Dondence Of the Dispatch,

Correspondence OF the Dsp.eSn'
NEW YORK, December 23,-Durins the
transition period OF n girls life. when
her skirts have been heightened below
the point demanded for the child without
attaining the dignity Of wonanly drape-
ries, and when the costumers speak OF her
as a miss" she Is perhaps harder
subject to appropriately and tasfefuiiy
attire than she has been before or Will
be later. Many mothers solve the DIM
Guilty by at once advancing the girls TO
all the privileges of the woman and In
ycsting them In the fac SMILES of their
own gowns. But the effect IL always
displeasing. Simplicity Is a most desirable
element In the dress of girl of Ia or
80, and whatever may be said OF our
women's fashions OF to-day, simplicity
cannot be urged against them.
A MODEL GIRL DRESS.
For a girl at this particular period
one OF the most charming OF the recent
models shown was in brown hopsacking
The skirt fell with some fullness, but
without ornament. just TO the tops or the
boots: the round waist had little
ruffied fare OF material coming from
beneath the belt: there was a SQUARE
yoke OF ruby velvet, which, as well as
the cuffs and edge of the garment. was
bordered with triple rows of dark-brown
silk braid. The waist being made full IN
front. was confined by belt OF the mate
rial; very full sleeves with tight cuffs.
ENTIRE COSTUMES.
Another pretty suit was in one OF the
quieter tartan plaids-which misses may
wear for entire costumes-a plaid. with a
<l.~ "A Hull nd
stripings. The skirt had deep vandyked
border of brown velvet, the points reach
ing half way TO the knee; the waist
showed box -plaitings back and front In
the manner OF Norfolk jacket, though II
had no other resemblance to that style,
being made with a fluted rufiie OF the
velvet over the shoulders and back, n
shoulder-yoke OF the same showing In
front. The full sleeves were also OF vel
vet. Children are wearing the tartan
plaids most extensively. They are made up
with the slightest possible attempt AZ
trimming. two or three rows of braiding
here and there, with a mere suggestion
OF velvet.
FULL-LENGTH COATS.
For out-of-doors the little ones are most
charmingly QUILTED. There arc coquet-
tishly-pretty little velvet full-length coats,
which have deep capes OF fur-chtnchilla,
or fox, or gray-squirrel. Some. in black
velvet. have immense sleeves inserted of
soma gay color. the warm tones of red
being most effective over this, a velvet
hat. almost approaching the Gainsborough
In size. with black plumes and cut-steel
or golden ornaments. The small women
all find this sort of outward apparel I'M
mensey becoming.
TEA-GOWNS
Some Of the most recent of the seasons
tea-gowns deserve the expressiye-if dis
tinctly feminine-adjective one repeatedly
hears applied to them; they are deli
cious." one of the imported examples.
for instance. is in gray velvet. The over
garment Is made extremely full and how-
ing, somewhat after the Vatican idea,
the train being unusually long for that Of
a tea-gown. This upper dress OF velvet
includes very full sleeves, 1t Is open al
together down the front, with border
down either side extending into revers
over the shoulder of sllver-fox fur.
There is an indescrlbable sense Of luxury
In this application of fur to indoor Near,
which somehow suits this particular
variety of costume. Beneath the velvet
appears an underdress of black crepe de
chine. accordeon-plaited down the front,
with full under-sleeves, also plated, but
caught up to the wrists with knots
OF scarlet ribbon The tea-gown Is a spe-
clalty of this season; as is also It's alb
breviated form, the tea" or matinee
jacket.
FASHION NOTES.
Fuil-length evening wraps consist simply
of three very deep capes, the best being
Identical with the skirt.
Street and indoor dresses are being en-
HANGED with ribbon trimmings-ribbon APP
piled in zig-zags and other designs. punct-
rated here and there with knots and
bows.
Velvet Is becoming the favorlte mate
rial for demi-toiette. Most OF the hand
soonest reception and dinner-gowns OF
the early winter are altogether or else
principally composed OF velvet.
Velvet bodices with skirts OF cloth are
combined for some Of the most dis
tingushed street and visiting toilettes.
The new MORE weaves have a most
pronounced vogue. which will continue
probably throughout the winter.
Lace and velvet unite themselves most
artstically In a recent Henri Trois eve
ming cape. A close collar of sable is
laI