Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-13
TICKLE FASHIONS.
DoinsS and Observations Of a Southernef
In Philadelphia.
THE Big SLEEVE Is DOOMED.
Mira. Ianrtry's Lovely Gowns and Jew eIs-
Silver Superseded by Dresden China
at Afternoon Teas.
Correspondence Of tho pIspatch.)

PHILADELPHIA, PA. January L.
| There IS no more difficult problem to
| solve iust at present than trying to de-
| eide how TO have ones gown made. Tor
never were fashions more nuctuatihs
| than at present. and a gown designed
| now, by April will look decidedly out or
| date. The fiat has undoubtedly gone forth
that the big sleeve Is doomed. The Prin-
| cess of Wales, the arbitrator Of all such
| matters in England, and who governs
to a great extent our fashions, has
| never given her entire appreciation TO
the exaggerated sleeve that has been
and now is worn. A recent trousseau'
| designed for one OF the royal family.
| has. tits said. as its most striking feature
the return 10 the sleeve of moderate
| proportions. Allowing those having pretty
| arms TO be seen and appreciated, while
| our thin sisters will have to content
themselves with the reflection that they
| have had it their own way for some time.
and that the ever revolving Wheel OF
| fashion will surely turn their way again.
Mrs. Langtry is again with us. and has
| been playing here for the past ten days.
| saw her in Esther Landraz' a few
nights since. Her acting has. TO some
slight extent, improved. but IN my humble
| opinion she Is nothing OF an actress,
| for never for one moment does she lose
| her identity even In many Of the strik-
ing situations of the play.
BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES.
Her clothes are certainly the most
| beautiful / have ever seen on the stage,
even to call forth criticism from the
orpCsite sex, who. as n rule, do not notice
| such trivial matters. Her costume in the
fist act Is a pale-blue satin ball gown.
! low neck, without tho straps over tho
shoulders, and trimmed with some rare
Oil lace. Il little on the ecru. The sleeves
were a short puff OF the satin and
siashed. The bodice was fastened diGgo-
naliy across the back with three immense
diamond buttons. The skirt was quite
plain, fitting tightly over the hips, and
the train longer than has been generally
worn. Her jewels were beautiful. Her
next gown was beautiful from its very
sin plicity. 1t was Il light shade OF cafe
an lat crepon, the softest and sllkiest
] ever saw. The skirt was perfectly
plain. save for a slight draped effect
IA tho back. The bodice was round and
severely simple. save a little twist Of the
material around the bottom of the bodice.
in front YVES q belt effect of white
mcusselaine de sole, with n simple high
collar OF the same soft white material.
Her next cown was i white crepe tea
gown, made cOurt-train effect over n
white lace petticoat. The lace was
slightly caught to ore side with a larg,
bIrch OF pink roses. Afrs. Langtry
seemed TO appreciate the effect of this
beautiful costume and It's striking be-
cominsness even in her moments OF dire
despair. Her evening wrap WAS Of white
lace completely covering. but not con-
ceallng her beautiful figure. i was
covered with what looked like incandcs-
cent beads. but IL was one OF those per-
feet French creations which II Is i'm
possible 10 describe. At every turn Of her
perfect figure 1t seemed to reflect all the
colors CT the rainbow.
SOUTHERN GIRLS.
There are several soutLer-rrs now visit
ing in Ph,laGc,ah.a-Niss -iary Arnold.
% Savannah. Sis Tri=g. ~ Virginia.
ara Ms Fr!ngla. OF South Carolina. Miss
Fr-1g.e Is the guesr ~ Mrs. Cooper. Of
t--n1l'owu. vino was Mss AistJ1. G.
,uaries;on. | vas invited % meet Miss
PRINCE az a car4-rruy. ard found her
u tyric1l Chlrisgtou.In, with that gra-
ciors charm Of manner sni appearance
50 characteristic ana which ir1e.!Oly
stamps me southern gir.. and gives me-
he a. tn Nor:h such a feeling OF pride
when / @ly she is a sou.herneT."
There t. 80 much talk now both North
ati South abou. the so-caiiei New
S)l.l" that q feeling comss over me Of
sasnesS when ! think OF it. and s,.l
more when / rc.urn South and see the
changes, Innovations. ami people tia. are
creeping IL.
MOST POPULAR.
Afternoon teas seem 10 be the most
. pr0I,lr node p entertaining tals winter.
-. g-narally-acceptel hour is } o'clock.
The dainty accessories Of The abe lroHs
more and more dainty. mi Consequently
more expensive. The cups are - fragile
one IS almost apprchsn.iye IT using ta-n.
Embroidery IS not IS mach use. az
drawn work for the tabie-cover. and the
service Of silver has been almost super
ceIeI this winter by tn craze for Ores
don china. Drawn work seems u grow
steadily IN favor. and the fine il very
49,