Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1881 — NEW YORK FASHIONS. [ARTICLE]

NEW YORK FASHIONS.

Steel fa the most notable of spring productions- In itself, of course Itto nothing novel, but such a veritable shower of steel as now descends rfpon us, is rather a surprising feet in the history of dress. Beginning with the new bonnet, it covers the entire outfit; even peeping out from the spring slipper. In nnlnneiy, We have braids, coras, beads, ornaments, fringes, lacee, embroideries of steal, to say nothing of steel net works and gauzes laden with steel spangles. Gm containes, these ideas are repeated, whitefioutdoor garments are stylishly ornamented with finishings of ;tno same character. So you see that steel can hardly be miapjaced, but it is most tasteful when combined with black. A moment’s reflection suffices to show the refinement of a black satin costume trimmed with steel, and in the way of a bonnet, nothing is more .quietly elegant than similar 3otnbinations. But when steel is united with colors, eflbets are fredeecUs a mild way of putting it, for’ to tell the truth plainly, results ire oftentimes very bad. Everything that glitters, however, is fashionable. Jet is eagerly sought after for this reason. Gilt Is in great demand, and viridescent beads are also very popular. Trimmings of material are in as much vogue as ever, and disposed in much t.>e same way as formerly; that is in kilt plaitings, box plaitings, gathered ruffles, shirrings, etc. OUTDOOR GARMENTS. Everybody ypu meet wears something different, bat one is as fashionable as the other. Jackets, visites, circulars, capes, ulsters, redingotes, paletots, coats—all are stylish. Now when I go'on to say that each of the one above names represents not one garment alone, but a number of garments differing in minor points, one can form some idea of the variety. In the jacket family for instance, we have at least a dozen different shapes; some cut away, others straight, others long, others short, some with hoods, gpme with capes, etc., ete. Last, but not least, comes the Mother Hubbard, with shirring at the neck and sleeves and a very nandsotoe adaptation o the Mother Hubbard, calleo the Solana visite, which is shirred in the figures and has the sleeves shirred also. '■ " ■ «. • •

EASTER BONNETS. i ■ Small shapes fitting close to the head are a leading style but pokebonnets not a few appear. Flowers kre used in profusion and there is a luauifeet preference for small or medium sices, rathei* dhan -larger ones. But in all, we see the effects of that “shading, ’ wh ch is now so prominent. In masses of email flowers there are constant alternations from light to dark or vioe verta, while sprays are almost invariably shaded from pale to light. Tlie uating tones are noticeable in sUks and ribbons and when skilfully arranued, produce beautiful results. Moetofthe new ribbons in consequence, are very wide so as to give room for an insensible transition and with the same view, very Wide strings are of silk doubled and fringed on the ends. Yet narrow ribbojrtj are not prohibited, but these are exceptions. Quite new silks and ribbons however are uniform in color and will be worn because the shades are expensive. Porcupine straws are the newest for general wear; being ,so called because woven with sharp projections over the surface An elegant bonnet lately chosen by Sarah Bernhardt is of open work, Tuscan straw in poke shape. The brim fa faced with pale blue satin and folds of blue satin are laid around the crown. A cluster of pale coral pink flowers ornaments the left side in front and the strings are of shaded blue silk a quarter of a yard wide. MATERIALS AND COSTUMES. New grenadines are covered with checks and plaids of every size, but Importations of very thin woolens have interfered with the sale of grenadines as well also as that of buntings. Many of these woolens are plain woven and in solid colors, yet

others are provided with a bright border and others again are in open, work checks aad plaids. A spring costume now being made for Mme. Gerster is of very thin woolen topale ooachman’s drab combined with blue dotted satin. The. Pamela basqae is shirred at the waist in toe middle of the front and back, and the celestine skirt is trimmed with raffles of satin and bunting alternating. Another dress for the same prima donna is a Theo, costume of striped ailkrwwith dark olive green satin skirt. 'She polonaise ot silk shows the front and sides cut eff to the depth of an ordinary basque, while below is a plaited scarf drapery across the front ami the back hanging long and draped Irregularly. The gored skirt is covered cn 1 the front and sides with horisontal shirrings. The Mercedes is a very attractive novelty in parasols,. f having ten ribs and the handle entirely within the outer envering, while the Ahape is remarkably ' graceful. It comes in all grades, from the chaspest to the costliest and endless variety as to color, Material; ete. This indeed is a neces ity as “high style 0 now requires-the parasol to match thfc dress and thus renders it much more important than formerly. Eckesfaer’s toilet soaps are chiefli used now by our best classes, because of theirremarkable purity and fine perfums. There are a good many different kinds, and where all are excellent, it is hard to discriminate, but perhaps the most sought after are the Bouquet’ of Violets; Jockey Club; Wood Violet and Baby Soap. I mention this becayse In warm weather, toilet articles become doubly import-

ant.

LUCY CARTER .