Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-08

face. The skirts Of the coat are mace
very full. and such a garment Is supposed
to be suitable for wear over light gown
that hardly needs the protection OF fuh-
length cloak.
When plain skirts, accompanied oy or
nate bodices a. now worn. make sucn =
fine appearance, what Is the use or sense
OF demanding trimmed skirts? Yet that
Is Just what Ii being done. and the de-
mand comes from just the women tnat
will not have nay for an answer. Inc
elaboration seems likely TO come BY nav
ing the skirts over independents. OF
overlapping on panels, or tapping over AT
seams with fanciful fastening. or py az
effect Of double skirt secured by deep
edges at the foot OF the skirt. This sug-
gests many ways of daintiness, Out
women will not give up the plain skirt
with rich fittings as its only elaboration
until they are obliged TO. sun. tno
crepon skirt has been worn In damp
weather. and has shrunk away at the root
it's owner can take advantage OF the COM
ing fashion, cut the foot of the short skirt
into deep vandykes. and set under the
yandykes a finish of velvet, to bring the
skirt to the necessary length. The van
dykes must be emphasized by edgins ana
finish of trimming, and at each point
there should be a bril- liant button. Thus
will the impossible be turned into the
stylish. and conscience and purse for once
be friends.
The material OF a charming black and
white gown is velveteen of short nap ana
silk texture. II is light velvet possibly,
but Is sod as silk velveteen.Tne waist
is drawn with a little fulness to low
round belt of velve cen. and there Is
very high. very round and very harins
collar.
The sleeves OF this dress are Its novelty
They are like balloons at the elbow. TIE
shoulder is narrow, small, and tight-nt-
ting. but at the elbow there is great
round balloon fulness. The rest OF the
gown Is a cream white cloth skirt. with
a long black coat opening in front over
It. The cloak coat-tails are fastened
to the waist. which Is all removable. II
fsstens at the side and Is secured neatly
by hooks and little straps, until one can
have no idea how the wearer gets into
It.
The novel feature Of this gown. next
to the sleeves. IL the white leather trim
mngs upon It; these straps OF white
leather are set In the sleeve puffs ana
again In the round waist. They have a
touch OF stitching upon them and are
very rich In effect against the velveteen
The hat is one OF the modified Alpines,
faring at one side and trimmed with
ostrich trimming and white ribbon bows,
combined with white flowers In harmoni-
GUS places. This Is a very rich gown for
fan wear in the streets. The only touch
| OF fur is a strip lining the high collar IL
sets of the face and looks very pretty.
In fancies there are host OF novelties
that are used in combination. One or
the winter styles that Is gaining In favor
Is the Colonial dress. the glove-ftting
bodice coming down well over the hips
| and fastened at the back II the wearer
| Is very youthful For the more matronly,
the bodice is opened in the front under a
| drap,ng or plastron or shaped with
| dcuble-breasted front. The skirt Is sewed
permanently to the edge OF the bodice.
and folds Of the material are massed
at the back and hooked to the lower
part OF the corssee. which has sleeves
which are invariably picturesque. Some
times these sleeves are In melon-shape,
and In Queen Anne fashion with a close
cloth sleeve finished at the top with a
full velvet puff
Much taste and ingenuity are displayed
by tailors and high-class modistes In the
great variety of collars. capes pelerines.
and collarettes on coats cloaks and
Jackets. For travelling, walking. and
other utility coats the simple turn-down
collar prevails. A less severe style Is
the rolled or shawl collar. which Is faced
with velvet or cloth contrasting In color
with that of the Jacket