Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03

hue were destined to put the finishing
touches TO this charming frock.
AS / have told you In previous letters,
musins are in great favor, and foulards
of every known and unknown design are
running muslins very close in popularity.
Another thing TO be noted is the increas-
ing affection which the fashionable mo-
diste displays for orange, this hue obtain
ing prominence in the shape of a neck
or waistband, or both, on quite half the
smart models. Ribbon is in the highest
favor possible at the present moment, and
seems likely to continue so. When it finds
expression on knife-pleated frills ii has
much to recommend it. particularly in
black satin of a narrow width used in
conjunction with maize-colored canvas
made up over glace silk Of its own hue,
with vest of tawny lace, which is
tolerably accurate description of gown
l saw the other day. That ubiquitous
note of orange, before referred TO, APP
pearing in the guise of sash edged with
black satin ribbon frills-knife pleated-
and a most elaborate betucked and be-
ruffled neck-band.
Muslins mounted on silk OF every hue
and every degree are not the only mid
summer wear. For off days and rainy
days there are elegant face cloths. with i
good deal of silk in their composition
and a satin cloth so fine that it might
well pass for satin. Then there are
tweeds and homespuns, light in weight,
yet so good that rain has no effect on
them and the wearer is conscious of
looking chic, even on a wet day. AS to
colors, gray Is going strong and well.'
to use a sporting phrase, with yet another
so-called new shade, known as "bleu
pastel" Pipings seem 10 be the trim
u. x.1l.
and are certainly the right thing on the
right place. One Of the prettiest OF the
many models I saw was composed of the
aforementioned satin cloth. in shade re-
sembling a chestnut. 1t was lined with
tartan silk and the flounce-like portion
of the lower part of the skirt was set
in under a piping of the same silk. the
plaid being blue. red. and a faint line OF
yellow. Very smart it looked, and II
certainly had the merit of being distinct
ly out of the common. The coat. which
was Directoire, pure and simple. with
a long-trained basque in the back, and
none at all in the front. was lined with
this tartan silk but the huge square
revers were faced with. modern point.
applied over yellow exactly the shade
of that fine stripe in the plaid. Three
cut steel buttons ran down either side
of the coat, and the full-pouched vest was
of the point lace, over yellow. the sleeves,
which were small and coatlike, being
piped at intervals with the tartan silk
from the shoulder TO the wrist, where
they finished with ruffles OF the same lace.
The chic of this gown lay in its daring.
yet, despite the latter, 1t was full OF
restrained elegance, for, though the COM
bination Of tartan. yellow silk. and point
lace may sound loud, in point of fact.
only the merest glimpse Of the silk was
obtained, just enough. in fact. TO Tighten
up the sombreness OF the dark chestnut
hued cloth. a hat of brown tulle, trim
med with yellow wings, sequined with
black, cache-peigne of yellowish roses,
and soupsOn Of lace, was TO accompany
the gown TO its lucky owner.
Another model at the same establish
ment had a skirt of satin cloth in blue
pastel, pped with black satin and lined
with glace OF its own hue. The coat was
cut on exactly the same lines as the one
above described. Directore. the material
fashioning ii being black satin. with
buttons of cut glass. II was lined with
blue of the palest possible shade, and
had a vest Of tucked white chiffon. en-
broidered with fine black silk cord and
big cravat OF mingled tulle and black
chiffon in the famous Duchess OF Devon-
shire shape. with an abundance of black
and pale blue feathers.
The racing cloaks and opera capes are
quite near akin. The most fashionable
are arranged as triple capes. rounded in
the front and generally piped. These are I
patronized by the young; older women are |
wearin: mantelettes. which are quite |
short in front, turning off from the |
waist, but elongating to a great depth at |
the back. an effect mostly produced by |
gossamer fiounce. One of the prettiest |
have seen is a soft mauve silk. EN- |
broidered In silver and trimmed with sill |
ver--'orked chiffon.
wonderfully pretty cape, made In |
fawn cloth. with four frlls. dipping at
the back, proves most becoming 10 tho |
figure. The frills start from a yoke. and |
II is cut in one with a high outstanding
collar having a ruche inside.
A new Partisan model is tight-ftting |
at the back. with Vatican pleats coming
from between the shoulders. the side /
seams apparently secured 10 1t by six
diamond buckles: II has very high COLI