Year: 1879

That 1t is difficult to select where one
has liberty of choice


The newest grenadines have an alter
mating stripe, very narrow and in chintz
colors, upon a fine, thin black mesh,
with as narrow a one of velvet; the
effect is extremely rich and novel. The
8 'sewing-silk" grenadines appear with
the addition of tiny brocaded figure,
which enriches without being conspicu-
Gus, and there are other beautiful grena-
dimes in which a brocaded stripe alter
mates with one of velvet or satin.
Buntings have established themselves
in popular favor and are very greatly
improved. The fine, soft, semi-trans-
parent fabric which now claims to be a
kind of bunting, and secondary class
rather more wiry of texture, have little
in common with the coarse, canvas-like
materials which first presented their
claims to favor. The French buntings
are fine and little wiry. They are i'm
ported this season in very dark shades,
accompanied by plaids in which the
dark wine colors, navy blue, brown or
invisible green of the plain material re-
appears. The more delicate white
buntings are called gasoline, and make
lovely evening dresses when put in con-
trast with gold and black or blue and
white narrow-striped satin. For young
girls they need no such combination,
and are prettiest trimmed with plaitings
of the same and iron-satin ribbons.


French organdies, trimmed with lace
and ribbons, and thin white dresses will
be much worn this summer. The
beauty of summer dressing is its fresh
ness, its comfort and the lightness and
delicacy of the principal materials used
in its construction. In the obtaining of
| lovely summer fabrics there is no diff
Guilty. Cottons are improved until they
are equal in appearance to silk, and,
made up after a pretty costume model,
are as attractive looking as those that
cost twice or three times as much. But
then, what is the use? They are not
silk; they cost more than double the
price of an ordinary cotton dress, and
when they get into the wash they are
ruined, for if the color is not all washed
out of them they are streaked and stiff
ened with starch, discolored, ironed out
of shape, and made glossy by being
pressed on the upper side, or left wrin-
kled and unfinished, so that resemblance
to the bright, fresh, pretty toilet Of a
few weeks before is entirely lost. This
is why black grenadine and summer silks
have been so popular; both are safe and
durable, and can be worn on most occa-
sions.


Many of the new hats remind one of
beautiful old pictures. The variety in
shapes is very great, but the style par
ercellence is doubtless the "M'selle
Prince" Some of the most elegant hats
for Newport and Saratoga have been
ordered from this design, and one of the
most beautiful sat gracefully upon the
head of a petite brunette well known in
fashionable New York society 1t is of
fine Tuscan braid, with its broad brim
lined with a peculiar diagonal shirring
of satin the color of the straw The
brim was caught back with rich steel
and gilt clasp pressing from under a soft
bed of pompons and ostrich tips, same
shade, of the most delicate character.
Just below this at the left side are few
loops of rich, soft ribbon, holding in
place single spray of exquisite flowers
that partly encircle the crown and cling
so closely to it that one might imagine
they grew there. The roses are almost
the exact shade of the hat, while the
leaves only depart from it to take on
few streaks of pinkish golden, sunset
tinge. Then, again, this spray Of flow
ers is unlike all others seen, as it pre-
sents somewhat crushed appearance,
yet it is lovely, so artistic in its decay.
The summer straws, chips and tuscans.
with wide, flexible or tuIn-up brims, are
mnumerable. The newest are the
satiny braids, sort Of apotheosis of the
Florida straws, but as greatly improved
IN shape as in the preparation of the
hber- The flowers were never more
perfect than this season, and, though
French milliners are apt to encourage
the use offeathers, yet popular taste does
not confirm their choice


The rage this summer is for striped
parasols. For seaside, country and
mountain climbing the Pekin satine-a
very fine satin finished, cotton material,
showing satin stripes-is shown in the
new Brighton colors, ecru and beige
shades being the favorites. These are
mounted on basket or whip handles,
which are exceedingly nobby, and are
sure to be very popular with summer
dresses This same material is shown in
black as well. All the colors are made
up IN large sizes for mems use, and will
be quite as fashionable as those for la
dies.


The Japanese style, introduced early
in the season, has round, low top, and
sixteen divisions, which is very inele-
CANT Tor parasol made of rich material.
w hen the stripes are narrow and match
the trimming of the dress, or the dress
itself, the parasol looks very well; but
when it is quite different, as it usually
is, from the figure OF design in the ma
terial of the dress, it looks odd and out
of place.


There are very pretty sun umbrellas
OF polka dot satin that are light and
most suitable for every style of dress, TO
be used upon all occasions, and these
have the favorite 'polka dot borders. "
The borders show alternate stripes of
dots and plain lines, which are very
effective, forming charming finish.
They are mounted on the fashionable
bamboo sticks, pearl, ivory, and va
rlety OF pretty handles.


Stockings are not made any more
lovely and delicate than were those half
a century ago, which could be passed
through a ring and were so infinitely
open worked as to be equal in beauty to
the richest silk lace. But such hose are
owned now by the dozens instead of by
the single pair, and women wear silk and
thread of expensive qualities who for
'merly wore cotton.


The most shapely stocking that has
ever made its appearance is the silk or
thread, ribbed in solid colors and OPEN
worked in small patterns. The ribs run
up the instep to the ankle and abov
the ankle across or horizontally instead