Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-16
FASHION OF THE DAY.
THE CARRIAGE GOWN A PRETTY
CHARACTERISTIC CREATION.
Hats, Wraps, and Other Out- Door Wear
The Petsiied Parasoi for Driving
High Military Collars.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Disoa,chi

NEW YORK, April 10. Win the coming oh
fair skies and warmer days the daily car
rage parade In the park will become again
an institution. The costume in which one
displays oneself In the park-the carriage
GOWNS distinct aud characteristic
creation. II must be considerably more ef-
fective, richer, and more elaborate than the
street suit: the materials chosen are more
elegant and usually The colors more pro-
nounced. The carriage costume is. how
ever. also the dress in which one makes
ones afternoon calls. and is often the same
as the visiting dress.
One charming example OF the carriage
toilet exhibited among the importations
Of a large house here. although 1t is really
only suitable 10 the summer season, is
after the style of the gowns OF the days OF
Empress Eugene. IL was developed IN
striped iight-quality silk, the stripes alter
mating rose, pale pink, Nile, moss-green,
white. heliotrope, and black. Anything
gayer or brighter IL would be difficult to
imagine. The waist is made Of green
cloth. light ladies' cloth. suited to sum-
mer wear. 1t is made with the square,
unseamed back 80 much affected by the
French cutters nowadays, although it is
hardly the most graceful mode for wo-
man whose figure possesses the symmetry
which is never properly Offset without the
upper garment is well-gored and htted.
JACKET FRONT.
There ia jacket front, the open sides
being decorated with two immense enam-
elled buttons. This jacket opens upon
q vest of embroidered surah, belted with
the same; there 10 @ standing collar OF
psle-green null; sleeves, pulled. of the
cloth, with close gauntlets to the wrist.
Arnrtnd tha ohAtrlAara ia IN ha a don
BILE pelerine of the striped silk. But 1t -
TO the skirt OF this gown that most atten-
ton should be directed. This IS entirely
composed Of successive bias fiounces OF
the striped silk. These are loose, slightly
gathered, lined on the under sides with
green silk (since they have, OK course, a
tendency 10 fly up), and they are at least
eight or nine in number. Inc SKIRT is,
perhaps. four and half yards around.
This many-hcunced effect will be recalled
by the elder generation as a distinct fea-
ture of the Second-Empire style. Its re-
turn is redolent of hoops, though, indeed,
the skirt described was not stlfened. IL
was, however, intended to be worn above
horse-haired petticoat.
LIKE AN ovERcoAT.
Carriage wraps are OF several sorts.
Just at present they are very long and
cover the dress so completely that when
worn no distinctive toilet need be used
beneath. They are, in fact, of full length.
Some of the most imposing show foun-
datioD of brocade, capped TO the waist IN
mtrOtr velvet, and with borderlngs of
feather trimming, ostrich tips preferred.
In lieu of this separate boa of feathers
is frequently substituted. These wraps
are utilized for evening wear, although
there is a certain fancy for the short opera
cloak of twenty or thirty years ago. for
wear under the gas-lIght." 1t is of silk,
brocade, or velvet, lined with snowy satin,
and also trimmed with feathers.
IMMENSE AFFAIRS.
The carriage hat is an immense affair of
viii. @ Leghorn, by preference, and trimmed
with what is best described as audaclous
simplicity. One example had q pro-
nounced tilt to one side. the fold caught
with a Rhinestone star. Over the crown
which was so small that one might almost
question its existence-was the sole trim-
ming. This was a gigantic cluster OF
broad moire ribbons III dozen shades OF
helioiIope, straw-green, and Whitehall OF
which colors were more or less represented
in the toilet below. Another handsome
Leghorn had big American Beauty roses
twined all over il in careless profusion,
with an artistic disregard of any sort of
arrangement.
The petalled parasol is chosen for car
risge use. 1t Is of changeable silk. with
folds of crepe de chine along the ribs and
a knot of ribbon at the top. The handle
is somewhat longer than that of the walk
ing variety. The colors must reproduce
those of the costume.
LATER IN THE SEASON.
The carriage wrap for later in the season
is full mantle of black guipure, reaching
almost TO the knees. 1t Is finished with q
pelissine to the elbows composed of velvet
and lace combined. Sometimes the lace is
inserted in widths between points OF
the velvet, the lace points widen
ing from the collar to the edge; the velvet
nc, re1-sd, producing an odd but very eifec-
tive result. Sometimes a short lace cape
is the sole wrap. with an elaborate gown !;
this is then enhanced with loops OF broad
colored ribbon.
VARIOUS NOTES.
Everything has high collar. The mill.
tarv collar, originally introduced. II was
said, by the Princess of Wales TO modify
the effect OF her own unusually long neck,
will be seen again this season.
Big buckles of pearl. OF Rhinestones, of
cut steel. of Jet, and of silver appear at
the waist line on almost every variety OF
costume. There is. passion for buckles.
There 10 a new wrinkled silk crepe that
is one of the softest, PROTEST fabrics seen
in five seasons.
Speaking of crepes. crepons are deli
cious, too. The fayorites are IN seasonal
bic shades-browns. greens. heliotropes,
fiecked all over with dots and dashes OF
gold.
One is not quite in the swim il one APP
pears nowadays on horseback in the natty
habit bodice that for centuries has been
the acknowledged attire for the occasion.
One must wear the English rlding-coat--a
garment which buttons loosely over the
figure and reaches the knees. Surely II IS
the invention of woman who was totally
unblessed with shape or grace.
Look to your sleeves. See that they
puff in the latest Manner. e, TO the SIDE
and rather downward--neyer upward.
This Is a positive dictate.