Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1880 — Novelties in Winter Fashions. [ARTICLE]

Novelties in Winter Fashions.

To France is universally conceded the prize in the race of fashion. This season she has been unwearied in her exertions to add novelties; and, not content with going back two or three hundred years in her own history for unique models, she has gleaned styles from almost ’every country. An instance of the wide range represented by the toilets of fashionable women of to-day may be found in the palm leaf and cashmere effects in trimmings from Oriental countries; the Venetian colorings and patterns discernible in rich brocaded satins and embossed velvets; Chinese and Japanese effects shown in jewelry; passementeries glittering with iridescent beads, and borrowing their patterns from the Indians; the tartan plaids of Scotland, and the unprecedented use of furs after the approved fashion of the Esquimaux. The love of splendor is expressed in the display of satin, a material largely used in all elaborate costumes, of cloths of gold and silver, of galloons sprinkled with gold, and of bonnets of gold surrounded by bands of feathers, as perhaps it has not been shown before since the celebrated display on the Field of Gold in the time of Francis 1. In illustration of the extent to which colors are introduced in woman's dress may be cited Worth’s latest fancy for violent contrasts —as a seal brown dress trimmed with green; garnet coats cut lbw in the neck for evening wear, and designed to be worn with skirts of opposing color; blue cloaks finished with bands of Indienne embroidered with goldthread; and ruby,.wine, and garneUhued gloves. Conspicuous among accessories of French origin lately imported here, and in high favor in Paris, is point Languedoc, which somewhat resembles Breton lace. Into its meshes—which are either square like those of Valenciennes or round like those of thread lace—large figures are darned in cord shaded with fine thread. Its delicate tints of white, cream, ivory, or ecru imitate the soft, yellow appearance of old lace. Jabots of Languedoc, in shell shape on net? foundation, copy not only in form but in material those worn by the gallants and ladies of the court of Louis XVI. Fichus made of shirred point d’esprit net, upon which is laid several rows of lace in full box pleats, give a light and fluffy appearance. Capes of Languedoc are fashioned with large lace centers finished by a gathered edge of the same; they are arranged to form a sort of jabot at the front of the corsages and may be fastened with flowers, ribbons, or jewels, as fancy dictates. A favorite style in breakfast caps is the square close shape finished with pleated lace garniture and two full rosettes of creamcolored satin fastened at the front by clusters of brilliants. For older ladies the Marie Antoinette coiffure composed of lace and ribbons is preferred. Imitations of point d’Alencon, and Valenciennes, with appliques outlined in gold, are attractive novelties. The Sara Bernhardt collarette of point d’esprit is noticeable chiefly for its profuse garniture of white satin ribbon. Bands composed of blocks of lace or embroidery, alternating with tucks, and edged with lace, are another attractive form of collarette.

Sashes exhibit novel patterns, as for example those of white satin having broche edges and clusters of daisies dotted at intervals on the surface. A brilliant effect is presented by a satin sash composed of wide side stripes of blue and a central stripe of pink separated by an Ottoman cord of ecru color in Persian designs. A wine-colored ground, with broche pattern in deep cardinal, gives a peculiarly rich appearance. Broche Japanese designs of red, gold and blue on black or white grounds are novel and striking. Unique and graceful is the use of a soft sash «nd a scarf. It is passed around the neck and over in the corsage in front to the side, where it is tied below the waist in a huge bow. For little boys and girls white lace collars embroidered with pearls, and showing pendants at the front, are designed for house-wear; while deep, round-cornered collars of pleating and hemstitching are furnished to be worn over the outside of wraps. Roman sashes in bright colors are the latest favorites for children. The usual dainty blue and pinks for babies’ wear come not only in plain colors but combined with narrow Roman stripes or overlaid with Persian patterns in soft colors. A very popular article in jewelry is the oblong scarf or lace pin, which is shown in lanciful designs and need not correspond with the other ornaments worn. All gold jewelry has for its base enamel or Roman gold wrought with leaves, flowers and other designs in gold of various hues. Among precious stones there is the usual demand for diamonds. Colored stones are rapidly gaining the favor in which they are held in Europe. The sapphire, turquoise and opal are much worn, and cameos and sardonyx are again popular. Beaten gold of rich yellow color and showing indentations of the hammer, in which are set precious stones, is among the newest fashions in scarfpins, bracelets and sleeve-buttons.— N. T. Evening Post.

—lt is said a New Haven man smokes several cigars a day throughout every even year, but in the odd yean not one from January 1 to December the last. This is without inconvenience, and is a habit of fifteen vears’ standing. _ _ —Another American girl is to marry a nobleman. Why is it that our girls refuse to support their own countrymen? There is a lack of patriotism somewhere.—4 Constitution.