Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-03
WINTER FASHIONS.
rRocxs AND GOWNS FOR OPERA.
BALL. DINNER, AND RECEPTION.
A MatronIy Evening Toilette in Pink, Satin
and Maroon--fur Garments In
Graceful Shapes.

CSpeclal correspondence VI 'iS D''P"F
NEW YORK, December 2.-rhe season
OF winter galties Is once more with US
the season OF opera and ball, OK dinner
and reception. and musicale. so FASHION
confines herself principally 10 the con-
structiOn Of frocks for these occasions
The late financial stringency has not
made itself apparent In the seasons
gowns. which are as costly as ever here
tofore, II not more 80. Paterfamilias
must cut down expenses in some other
dlrection-madames and mademoiselle's
toilets are not the sufferers
One OF the prettiest OF the seasons
dancing gowns, worn by member OF
the more youthful set, is white pean
de sole. White Is a favorite for evening
wear this year. The skirt Is very slightly
trained and from the waist occurs what
may be described as a very brief over
skirt Of palest amber peau de sole. cut
in long points, which reach TO the knees.
The amber silk Is enhanced by a tracery
Of designs In Jewel embroidery. which
gistens effectively under the glare Of
the gas. The bodice is cut square. with
rosetta of amber velvet at either side.
rather resembling chrysanthemums. The
sleeves are immense puffs OF amber vel
vet reaching the elbows, with falls OF
lace over them. The front OF the cor
sage is yelled IN lace. White suede gloves.
white satin slippers. and amber silk
hosiery embroidered on the insteps, with
| amber beads are the accessories to this
costume.
AN EVENING COMBINATION.
Another white evening dress is 4 COM
blnation OF white silk crepon and white
MORE. Elaborate garnltures OF pearls are
added. Strings and festoons OF pearls (og
| course the manufactured article s mcanO
are Topped across the front Of the bodice.
and also drape the upper portion of tho
! skirt. Pearls, too, stud the nounce q
white chiffon. which IS added at the edge
| of the skirt.
| In pale shel-plnk satin and maroon vel
vet is more matronly evening toilette.
| Point de Paris IS placed around the low
corsage opening SO as to drape the front
/ OF the bodice almost to the waist Tie
| skirt is partially yelled I'm silk-embroiI-
| cred net, with a graceful, iooped-up
| nounce OF the lace drawn up to one side.
! The sleeves, together with rosettes which
! are placed at every available point on
| the dress, are Of the deeper-colored vel
| vet
AFUR SEASON.
| II Is n fur season. let me relterate here
! distinctly a fur-yeaSOn-and the furriers
| have respe1 richer harvest than in any
| recent year. Fur garments were never In
| more graceful shapes. Tho Introduction
! OF ermiue-ouce the prerOgatVe Of kings
/ has been well received Evening cloaks
! and deep capes. altogether OF the costly
/ skin. are shown; but. indeed ermine is
! seen - much better advantage In conf
bination with other furs, or with vel
| vet. Mink Is used for some OF the long
| pellsses, which are not SO rich or 80 i'm
! posing as the full-lengths Of Russian
| and Alaska seals and sables. Black vel
vet combined with fur IS a pronounced
| feature this year. The pelsses are capped
! with Persian lamb. with ermine or with
| mink or Chinchlla. Then there are three
! quarter length coats OF velvet, with col
| lars, reYers, and cuffs OF sable Fur on
fur IS bad heraldry but fashion, although
| she affects crests and cOrOnets on car
| rage-panels and nOte-paper is little Yersed
in the joyous art Of the PURSUANT, and
so we have sable cloaks with capes Of
| ermine, and sealskln coats, the skirts ~
| which are enriched with bands OF mink.
| Entire coats or MORE BcgSlAu-latnD are
! perhaps as handsome as anything the
season affords. They are among the hap
| plest ideas. The coat IS In the prevailing
| shape, reaching almost the knees. with "A
| fun skirt, but fitted 10 the waist and
| with high collar, big triangular revers
| and full sleeves. TO accommodate the big
sleeves of the dresses we are wearing
FASHION NOTES.
Jewel passementcries are q prominent
feature on dresses intended for dressy
| wear.
| Chiffon in two contrasting shades IS
| used In evening gowns most effectively
! forming a charming decoration for the
! bodice and a hounce for the skirt, in al
| ternating festoons.
Embroidered crepe in white and pale
! colors enters into the combinations OF
some Of the handsomest dancing frocks
| Of the winter.
The square corsage seems TO have FASH
ions favor
one Of the richest theatre toilettes re-
Gently observed was a black satin. with
sleeves inserted OF white satin, banded
with strings Of jet.
| HOpsacks have not lost the favor with
which they opened the season, and sttll
compose some OF the most stylish street
| dresses.
Lace and fur are effectively combined
in trimming some recent demi-toilettes
The very oddly OF this conjunction forms