Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-05
NEW SPRING STUFFS.
Some inexpensive Novelties for the
Coming Season.
SMART THINGS FOR STREET WEAR.
A Notable Revival OF the Grandmother's
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Crepes, Cheviots.
and Chiffon Continue to Lead In Fashion
able Favor.
,cor-osnorde,ce NJ the D,spatch)

correspondence Ol NHt HlbldAtBsJ
NEW YORK. February 1.-The first
fact that strikes a spring shopper Is
the cheapness OF the new goods. Prices
prevailing the two past seasons have
startled the economical so that one feels
a sense of relaxation from strain in
seeing IS cents. 81. $50 marked on the
novelties. That they are far and away
prettier than expected IS another cause
for gratitude.
Crepon Is more than ever the vogue.
It's coruscated surface has become more
rugged than before. but its body IL meas
urably lighter. It's width is the same.
and its price appreciably lower. For
spring evening wear 1t will supply every
need. making the freshest Of dancing
gowns.
Cheviot, the Scotchest of the Scotch
stuffs, is the smart thing for street
wear. 1t can be made up with Puritan
prlmness, or garnished with whatever
shade Of velvet and coarse lace Is most
effective Brown and green are the
favored shades; hunters green. and
a brown that Is decidedly opposed 10
Havana, few tones Of yellow admitted,
the under weave showing in black, red
or green.
The quality OF mixed goods that came
in as the leaves went out is not good form
any longer. II is so quickly vugarized
by imitation that the smart folk aban-
doned it, for imitation is the bette noir
Of the exclusively inclined. Consequent
ly. to be in the upper-ten OF fashion, ones
tailor gown, or rather stun. must be or
solid weave; very heavy looking, large
meshes. and. II possible, an aggressive
corded diagonal stripe on It's surface
Before Christmas the price ranged from
N.75 TO $500 for such a piece OF goods
now one may make selection at $lz''
and this at the best shops. 1t Is tor'y-
eight inches wide, bringing the entire COST
OF the gown to less than Slo-a pleasantly
serious downfall when compared with
preholday times.
DIDN'T BLOOM.
Canvas cloth H. seen on few counters
Its little squirt Of last autumn was ho'
sufficiently encouraging for 1t to bloom
IuxlIriously again. although the shop
keepers predict for IL more OF a vogue
in the later heated season.
The hearts Of the oldfashioned VIII
be elated over the recrudescence-one
must be Kiplngesque in these days.
Of silk mohair. IL is a stun for whose
return our grandmothers have yearned;
nothing like IL for shedding the dust,
nv dears." they have repeated as each
successive year unrolled its fashions
minus the beloved material At length
il Is here and it Is fashionable. and II
il among the list OF things probable thai
many an old cedar chest will disclose
its treasure in the way OF mohair laio
in tissue-paper and lavender that was
relocated TO the garrett as the child OF
n day that is done" II was the same
when Irish bombaZine came 20 the fore
again some seasons ago.
And the grandmothers are right. There
Is no material equal TO silk mchair for
shopping or travelling. 1t is bit ex-
pensive, but earns its price by years or
good service.
For the nimsier more summary mate
rails the embroidered French batiste is
already swinging its airy hreadths In the
shop windows II comes in every dye. in
suit lengths. and by the yard. small
earnest Of its coming popularity has been
seen by its frequent use in trimming
other gowns. But now the summer
maiden. TO be fashionable. will wear IL
after every style. Severe and simple.
with leather belt, for the breakfast-table
| and the early morning, or embroidered
| bons-for one must be follower OF
| Rob Roy in their choice Of ribbons this
| spring-for the glddier hours. Batiste
rewards the buyer Of 1t also with excel
| lent service, for 1t launders daintily and
| looks ever fresh.
When the shopper reaches the silk
| cOunter-and silk is TO b. quite fashion
| able when the balmy days cOme-the frst
| thing she will be assured is that unless
nf 600
| pesse. she may acknowledge herself un>
| written in the book OF good style.
BUILT OF STRIPS.
Tafreta plisse Is built Of strips OF very
| undetermined taffeta silk. with entire
| deux OF satin stripes holding the gathered
| edges. The variety comes in the satin
| being In a contrasted color - the silk.
| Old-rose or yellow, with black bands,
| black silk with violet, crimson. or lilac
| bands, are among the colors 1t resembles
| fine needlework or gathered puffs rolled
| and whipped into bands Of inserting As A
| stuff. il will carry out the French style
| OF waists that are so popular with Gre
| pom skirts. Its woven funess is admirably
| adapted for make up with simple gather
! ing band at waist and throat. II is the
usual silk width, and brings 81 IS a yard.
| Lightweight satins are brought out with
| conspicuous desgns-all In black, and
| that ever-dainty, exquisite fabric, silk
| grenadne-is TO be one OF the smart
things 10 wear. The designs In black are
| especially artistic. and many pieces are
| figured with colored flowers. These are
to be extensively worn for visiting gowns
| over colored silks. and trimmed in satin
| or velvet ribbons to match.
| Plaids and striped velvet was not i'm
ported this spring. Its success was some
| what equivocal though Felix and Paquin
| did stamp It with their appreciation. MORE
| seems to have also been relegated to the
| past. leaving satin, plain, or figured. as
| cock of the walk. for ornamental pur-
| poses
In the evening silks. the quaintest de-
| signs are shown. some OF the best
| proudly be it said. coming from American
| looms. Dresden patterns are favorites
| and the Louis XIII. wallpaper idea. Of
| tiny blossoms, inclosed within solid bands
| OF old blue or duBarry pink, makes a
| dantily-artlstic dinner-gown. These are
| selling for $l.25 a yard, as the Persian
| palm-leaf patterns in faded Eastern colors
| are also doing.
| For trimming purposes or perishable
/