The record-union., 1897-02-21

II HISLr->A's> -
Historical effects will predominant
among the charming toilets for brides
maids at Easter and postmaster we'd
dings Opportunity will thus be at
forded for the selection of uncommonly
rich and elegant textiles, and for ind1-
Vidual choice regarding certain appro-
pirate and becoming replicas. The
beautiful Marie Antoinette models VIII
be highly favored, with their exquisite
ly ine-howered satin brOcadeS and faS-
cinating lace fichus and other lace dec
orations. their fiaring coiffures. Queen
Bess toilets with their open fronts of
royal brocade their huge rufus and
Quaint puffed sleeves, will be another
favored selection, and then follow the
poetic Pompadour gowns, the unique
robes of Renaissance queens, the Mary
Stuart dresses in velvet, lace and satin
puffings. these frequently chosen by the
dignified mothers of the bride and
groom to complete the artistic effect
in church or drawing-room. The bride
in her spotless white gown will carry
out the picturesque scheme by appear
ing in a lovely toilet that combines
her bridesmaids, or in satin and lace
will wear a robe distinctly different in
effect from any other model chosen for
the occasion.
Some Of the very recherche dinner
dresses of the season have high-necked
waists to be worn with black velvet
skirts. The sleeves have only a slight
fullness at the top. If the arm is very
slender the material is fulled all the
way down, and at the wrist deep lace
frills nearly cover the hands, which
fashion just now allows even in demi-
dress to be rather lavishly decorated
with costly jeweled rings-the effect OF
the lace and the gems being very lovely
against a snowy tapering hand. Ac-
Gordon and wider knife-pleated satin
skirts are put forth by leading import
ers for dressy spring wear. These are
a valuable addition to the great variety
OF ready-made skirts. They come in
black, white in cream and ivory tints,
mauve. heliotrope, old rose, Nile green,
Spanish yellow, gray. brown and the
dahlia tints They have no lining, and
the Improvement made upon their
shape renders them a temptation to
even rather stout women who nave
hitherto eschewed the accordion-plea
ed skirts on account of their volume
about the hips. Before the skirts are
pleated they are cut in circular shapes
with much fullness on the lower portion
and little or no superfluous material at
the top. The umbrella shape is there
fore obtained when these skirts are
pleated Those described above cost
SO each
Interest is for the moment centered
upon the materials appropriate for the
Lenten season, gowns for this period
having now come to be considered an
essential part of the wardrobe of
fashionable woman. Black this year
will be largely employed, and a more
dressy effect is given than is usual to
these somber gowns, in the way of ad-
ditions to the bodice portions OF gir-
dies. deep centuries. bolero jackets,
decorated revers, vests and f1aring
Medici collars. Black, however. will
not prevail to the exclusion of soft
fawn color and nuns gray, which by
their delicate neutral tones commend
themselves particularly to use for these
gowns tOlS - ditE4USL llAN <tibelbiH SAN
a refined touch of color To these quaint
costumes on the bonnet or gown, or
both Pretty little mouchoir- -muffs of
lace, velvet and violets accompany ele-
giant tailor-made suits. A lady-like
and appropriate Lenten costume just
being made at a fashionable city estab-
lishnent is of soft drap d'ete of the
shade called Suede 1t has a seven
Il, IL ff.a-e,
silk. with a Suede velvet bolero, also
silk-lined. and trimmed with large
71aother-of-pearl buttons. The long,
close sleeves terminate in deep points
on the top Of the hand, the points show
ing the violet lining. At the top is
small velvet puff The very large
standing collar is cut in points lined
with violet, and trimmed inside with
soft frin of chiffon. The Suede felt
hat is decorated with satin ribbon,
chiffon and Parma violets, and the
mouchoir muff OF velvet has trimmings
to match. The costume as a whole is
beautiful Lenten poem.
An altogether new and supremely
beautiful invoice of dress garnitures
viii soon be exhibited in the leading
importing houses of New York. the su-
perb list including shaded silk and cut
work passementeries. Jewel-set Byzan-
tine arabesques and opalescent head
and Rhinestone sets, pearl and crys-
stal applidues for bridal gowns. unique
devices in silk cord. spangles. gold, jet
and .ridescent beadwork, forming boil
ero jackets. Hungarian sleevecaps,
Nandyke points for various portions of
the bodice. bretelles. epaulets, revers in
novel shapes. wide centuries. narrow
girdles, dangling chatelaines and elab-
orate waist and hip pieces, and all
sorts OF detachable decoration pertain
ing TO either bodice or skirt-simple
and ornate in style and on white, black
or a medley OF artistic colors. The
price of many OF these garnitures is
very high. Others. less elaborate and
ornate, but fascinating designs. are
very reasonable. and IL one selects a
plain rich gown and adds these tempt
ing accessories. it Is at once rendered
notably elegant and stylish by these
supplementary effects. The novel
dainty and intricate designs displayed
on the new fancy laces appear TO have