Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09

a combination Of Medicl and cape-cut
way In front. The sacque Is Of russel
velvet, and the collar is sable. The
standing collar and the revers In front
and the odd, fariTg, turned-back cuffs
are of white kid braided all over with
soutache sewn on upon edge In guipure
designs, producing an indescribably rich
effect The double buttons-two, four
six. eight, ten. Of them In all-in hve
sets down the front are fur balls caught
together closely with loops. The chapeau
Is pert. fetching capote of the velvet,
with windmill bows in front OF white
satin. and some nodding russell feathers
and aigrette. And the tout ensemble Is
bewitching.
or you have good figure, and can
wear anything. and wish TO look quite au
fait. but do not wish anything very elabo-
rate. You have a little rich lace and a
few heirlooms OF buttons that are won
derfllly fine. Laferrlere makes you think
than you selected that narrow white and
blaci-striped velvet, and the white satin
for the unique bodice but Il was her own
unerring instinct that decided that you
could wear the striking creation OF them
IA combination. The skirt Is plain; the
sleeves are plain. She sets the lace on
the hips and over the chest. and lines
the n,astron and the fat panlers with
nale-green satin She borders the bodice,
which Is short, over the hips. and laps
below the waist-line In two slender-point-
ed tabs. with sable. putting II only round
the shield-shaped opening a, the neck and
about the overhanging epauiefte extern
sion over the sleeves. Some white satin
ribbon OF narrow width Is carried about
the neck band and made into several loops
on each side at the back. and the result
Is a gown that holds its own among the
srnartest frocks / have seen anywhere
since the season came In.
The holidays were made into scenes OF
"refilgent gayety," and all that sort Of
thing In good sooth. Many OF the most
splendld toilets Of the winter have put
in their appearance at the house parties.
where fancy-dress functions have been
and are the fad Of the hour. Tableaux
wants may be death-struck In America,
but when counts and countesses and
barons and harnesses take up the living
plcture order of amusement there Is. no
eainsaying that they make a gorgeous
success Of It. The prettiest picture you
can think was the Countess Rochefou-
cauld at Baroness Chaubry's. at Congy,
gotten I'D q Ia Marie Antoinette on her
famous farm A Vatican shepherdess,
whose garments are silken, and whose
festoous are ropes OF roses. whose lacings
are gold. ana whose beauty Is bewitching.
n a sight for guests, not for gods.
Baroness Dc Pllnval gave g brilliant ball
tho other ni9hk hooking herself like q d.
vinity. IN white taffetas. made like the
sketc6. Win embroidered chiffon de sole
used Tor sleovoe. eoQuilles down the skirt.
md Tor chomIeette. The sleeves. like those
n III ~ omartest evening gownA fall
81 the ahouIdero, and where the line from
~ oaro evur the shoulders u one Of
lnnch boauty ~ strap over the shoulders
y onnitfod Clusters Of geranlum were
80 for fo1nlturso about the low line
n - o6<n16A And among the fr1Ilp Of
1h1f16S ~ ~ 6oWn each side. and very
1n5foV1- $500 tuvors Of geranium velvet
~ q, ~ poarlA with narrow
IN IS fo1< = n1ntch. brought n Just
~ ul01@ ~ high color among ths |