Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1876 — Late Fashions. [ARTICLE]

Late Fashions.

It is no wonder gentlemen complain that they cannot understand the vacillations of fashion. It is something beyond even feminine comprehension. Now that at last every well minded female has cheated or cajoled father or husband into purchasing a seal skin sacque, she awakes to the overwhelming fact that fashion vetoes that elegant garment. But, to compensate for this terrible loss, she ofters all sorts of charming wraps, and never have the cold days found us with greater or more handsome protections than are the elegant long cloaks. Of these I think I have spoken; but they are not the only wraps; there is a very great variety. The new dolmans, and other garments belonging to this family, are especially handsome. They have a recommendation in the large, loose sleeve, which offers abundant opportunity for fancy stuff, linings and other elaborations of lace, fur, feathers, etc. Close-wadded sleeves are made to wear under the ample, flowing drapery and the wind is licensed to blow the latter back at its own sweet will in order to reveal the half-hidden decorations. On account of being so easily worn over elaborate dresses and garnitures, the dolman is deservedly a favorite for an evening wrap in frill dress. 8. me exceedingly handsome ones of elegant fabrics and light colors are shown. The heavy woolen materials designed for large coats and cloaks are so fine in texture, and so beautiful in the woven patterns, that but little in the way of trimming is required. Some of the most elegant imported ones are absolutely without anV, unless we reckon as such the buttons and loops, or agraffes, of silver, gold or jet. The thick beavers are exceedingly beautiful, having a soft, woolly underside, and the surface diversified by some handsome designs, as twills, checks, basket patterns, quadrilles, etc. Garments es this material require no lining. Suits are decidedly passe, and cloaks and dolmans of wolf and gray cloths are considered most appropriate for elaborate toilets. These, from their nature, admit of profuse decoration, and lor this ruches of silk, embroideries, feathers and fur are employed. Silk and cashmere braids are also much used in trimming them. A garniture, to be 'used as a heading to a silk fringe, consists of silk pipings, with silk or crochet nail-heads ranged between in regular rows. For combination with worsted fringe, a similar effect is produced by narrow braid and small buttons.

A showy trimming results from the fol lowing arrangement: Four perpendicular loops of inch-wide silk braid depend from a horizontal bar of the same. This is studded with four small buttons, silk or crochet. This disposition of the braid is repeated up the entire front on both sides, and also around the bottom of the sacque. The sleeves are similarly trimmed, and the two large square pockets outlined in the same manner. An tlnaffected but rich and pleasing decoration is obtained by placing three large passementerie buttons in perpendicular rows, with regular spaces intervening. This is done around the bottom and on the cuffs, while two rows up the front hold in place the cords which fasten the cloak. Misses’ cloaks ditfer but little from those of their mum, mas, and cloth and worsted materials, both cheap and expensive, are shown for their selection. Where fur is employed as trimming for these little garments, it has been decided that young fox or coney is the meet appropriate. Graduated widths of plain galloon, very narrow fringes, small passementerie ornaments, are usually selected as preferable. A very jaunty litue sacque is halt-tight fitting, and has the skirt portion in the back divided just baek of the hips and in the middle, while each piece is turned back in revers. A deep fan-pleating is inserted in each opening, and flares slightly toward the bottom. For little “ bits” of girls a >eautiful ruddy cardinal cloth is imported, t makes a very elegant garment when trimmed with bands of fur, silk, or velvet, and with cufls and a collar of the same.

In selecting dress materials, ladies now do so with an eye to contrasts and combi nation. The same shades still continue fashionable; and black, though always a standard color, is comparatively little worn. Among new materials is * novelty known as brocaded velours, and, like all,

goods of this class, will be used chiefly for overdresses and other draperies. It combines well with plain silks and velvet, or any woolen goods, and cannot fail to become popular an account of its reasonable priee, costing less than medium quality silk It is very effective in appearance, being rich and elegant, but it Is ill adapted for any use where a strain will be put upon ft, aa in waists, etc., as it frays easily. Another desirable fabric is camel’s-hair vigogne, which closely resembles fine pressed opera flannel, but which In reality has a twilled surface. On account of ite breadth, forty-eight inches, it is in great demand for polonaises and overskirts. It may be procured for the same price as 'plain cashmere, and is double ite width. It drapes exceedingly well. For combination with velvet and silk, invisible plaids in myr-tle-green, navy-blue, and mixed gray are very effective. These plaids are also popular among ladies inclined to embonpoint, as they are generally but an inch square, and are very indistinct, as their name indicates. Lad ies who must purchase for growing daughters as well as for themseives may find under the name of “suitings" a variety of goods which seem for their special accommodation. Many of them are quite pretty and stylish, and the maximum price seldom exceeds fifty cents. A stuft which recommends itself as a school dress is Scotch winsey, a cheap material resembling knickerbocker camel’s hair', but a great deal coarser. It makes up well alone or in combination, and is to be obtained in all the new dark tints.— N. Y. Cor. Chicago Tribune.