Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1875 — Fashions for February. [ARTICLE]

Fashions for February.

Arran the fashions have been decided for the season there is little change until a change of season gives the signal for a new departure. We have, therefore, few novelties to record for the present month and can only give a return* at styles aa they are worn and indicate something of what may be expected in the less wintry months that are to come. February is the month of grand balls and Jarge entertainments, which close the season previous to Lent; evening toilets occupy a large share of attention, therefore, and these we will first notice. But first it must be remarked that there is always more uniformity and permanency about the styles for evening dress than any other; they must possess certain characteristics to be an evening dress. If the bodices are not cut low they must be open to display lace and ornaments; if the sleeves are not short they must be half-short or wide open, for the same purpose and in order to produce the requisite “dressy” effect. It follows, therefore, that there is only a certain amount of choice, and this is limited again by the repugnance of many ladies to low-necked dresses and the physical requisites for such a toilet. Thus it happens that nine-tenths of the ladies who have evening dresses made fall back upon the square neck, or the bodj%open and Y-shaped, and elbowsleeves, which can be finished with becoming ruffles of lace. Few even of the young American ladies take kindly to waists that are cut low, perhaps because they are of a slender tvpe, and are instinctively aware that a light drapery is becoming to them. With these difficulties to overcome, it is sometimes a matter of difficulty to arrange a toilet that is at once youthful and becoming. The square neck, cut high on the shoulder, but low front and back, offers one solution; and if finished with a pretty standing ruffle of real lace, thread or Valenciennes (not point, no young girls should wear point), and a necklace, of velvet with pendant at the throat, may be worn by young women whose necks are not perfection in outline or filling up. The cuirass jacket is also largely adopted, even for light toilets. For example, white tulle is puffed over pale blue or pink silk; the pouf is outlined by a frail of roses or blue grasses, studded with large Marguerites, and over the bodice, or instead of the bodice, there is a little sleeveless spencer or jacket of silk, matching the under part of the dress. It is rather early as yet to even indicate anything in regard to the fashions for the spring season. Alfeady inquiries reach us, however, from those who are disposed to take time by the forelock, as to the probable fate of polonaises, and will the narrow skirts continue to be worn? The polonaise, we imagine, can hardly be dispensed with at present, particularly in the spring and summer; it is the most useful of all styles for suits, though less desirable for winter, because it Is not warm enough of itself, and looks patchy with a jacket. But cape suits will, during the coming season, be more or less adopted, and the fichu, which has never been entirely displaced, revived. A great deal of luxury is observed in the use of lace. Valenciennes lace is used more extensively upon under-clothing than ever before; chemises are in some instances bordered with it; petticoats of flannel, richly embroidered, are trimmed with it; the entire fronts of nightdresses are composed of puffing and insertions, bordered with finest lace; and drawers are richly finished with puffing, lace insertion and wide lace ruffles. Much of this luxury is due to the fact that an imitation Valenciennes is now made so fine that it can hardly be detected ; fordt is preposterous to suppose that real lace would be used, except for bridals, or under ordinary circumstances, for such purposes.— Bemorest's Monthly.