Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05

tea gowns of equal attractions, but more
particularly n dainty, youthful-looking
garment. made in Empire fashion, and
pale-yellow brocade. the modest square
at the neck outlined with a transparent
band of lace-a new make or Ducness
appliuue-and the Empire bands being OF
MORE in q deeper shade of yellow. while
the back is ~rrang in a graceful Wat
teau. IT is a gown which a girl could
well wear at q home dinner, quite apart
from its original use as a charming ac-
compartment to the witching hour we.
have been writing of.
But enough Of these. A very interest
ing matter. claims our attention, and must
not be neglected in this letter, or our
readers may not be just a trihe in ad-
vance Of time in the matter OF hair-
dressing. We have just been told by
one in the swim that in Paris. In spite
Of the efforts of the hair-dressers the
locks of F-renchwomen are steadily re-
suming their natural straightness. This
IS not to be attributed to any want or
skill on the part of the coineurs' out
merely to the fact that Frenchwomen
have rebelled against their dictates, and
having lost a large proportion Of their
hair through the constant application or
hot tongs. have now renowned their use.
The wave has almost disappeared. and
the head has been allowed to resume its
natural size. A similar tendency is be-
ginning to be seen here. and power
AT work in favor of the remuneration OF
the wave is the same which has operated
IN France. Most of us are beginning 10
realize that our hair is getting into a
horribly ragged condition, and unless we
are numbered among the lucky ones,
whose tresses will wave without neat
we feel that for many months 10 come
II will need rest. The hair should now
be gathered up loosely on the crown Oh
the head. and / very soon learned that
il can easily be kept in place there py d
strong tortoiseshell hair-pin, without tho
necessity of tying it, which nearly always
results in wearing and breaking the hair.
From the hair / wander down TO the
necks. and must tell you of some new
~cravats. one Of the prettiest l have seen
IS of crepe de chine, the hens showing a
sllken openwork, known, j believe as
"hair-pin'' stitch. Others are exact
models of a mans hunting stock, made
I'm silk. and fastened with a jewelled PIN.
These extend to the waist and look ex-
ceedinglv well with tailor-made coats ana
skirts. The collar of linen, which turns
over at the top, is still popular, but II
shares its popularity with the collar Oh
muslin hemstitched.
There are, Of course, a few women IN
the world who annot wear the high col
Ior and for the benefit of these many
pretty trihes Of muslin and lace are ar
ranged to turn down and form a small
Y in the front. and beneath these can be
tied the crepe de chine necktie. or the
severe and more ordinary sort Of neckties'
the plaid glace silk is the most In faVor'
and there are many new plaids pretty
enough to Justify their existence.
They say that 1t is a sign OF prosper
o,s times when marriages abound; sc@e
must. as q nation, be in the most satis-
factory condition, for there are more
than the usual number of weddings on
the tapis for this season Of the year. a
syeu New York dressmaker has prepared
! number OF garments for a wedding that
has inst taken place. The bride went
away in an emerald-green Velvet rus
sian coat. with sable revers, the sKlrt vi
exactly the same shade, OF coarse corueu
rem much more fashionable n the me
make. A rich black satin skirt nad TWO
charming bodices, one of black chiffon,
om,hroIdered with flowers in bold relief
formed Of a congregation OF blue rides
aont eeouins some fine white silk en-
broidered muslin appearing in the inter-
sttces of the pattern. and china blue vel
80 matching the paillettes exactly, was
folded at the neck, and introduced In tho
sleeves. The high evening bodice, mace
Snll back and front, also in chiffon, was
elaborately embroidered with black pair
,ettes and white lace applique. me new
ond olistening neur velours In nght PINK
made n delightful evening dress the SKIRT
nnt exactly up TO date. but quite plain, SO
mat The i~ustrous sheen of the material
asserted itself. 1t is slightly corded. ana
bv no means inexpensive, but quite worn !,
40 orIce. for 1t is so g~listening tnas !,
aImosf amears TO have silver inter-
Threaded: this, however, is not the case;
The fun, low. crossing bodice was nan
black velvet and half OF the material.
One Of the guests at the wedding had a
petunia velvet Russian bodice. win wh,,e
satin revers covered WIN M ,Sared
ruipure: a belt Of sequin em1roiaeIea
white satin; the skirt. vicuna q sas