FEMININE FASHIONS IN ENGLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3421, 7 February 1874, Page 3

FEMININE FASHIONS IN ENGLAND.

{Argus's Correspond’nt.) Winter is approaching, and you’ll wish to hear a little of what is to be worn, Buttons of all Hinds are in favor for trimmings, especially metal ones. Tunics are going out, except as a part of polonaises, and then they have much the appearance of coat-tails, and are square in front, and almost invariably have square pockets, attached outside on each side, ornamented with buttons, as are the sleeves, which arc tighter than heretofore, and have mosquetaire cuffs, or a cuff formed of three folds of the material, which are wider than the sleeve, and hang beyond it on the outside of the arm. Bonnets are of the hat form, or rather of the cap form, resting on the top of the head, with soft puffy crowns, and bunches of flowers, or a good deal of trimming all round; indeed the bonnets, although still worn without strings, are larger and of more importance than of old. Large buckles are very much worn on dresses, especially attached to the sashes, which loop up the fulness at the back of the skirts now-a-days, instead of tunics under basgard bodices (and then the buckles come at the side). Jackets and waistcoats are the most fashionable form of bodices; and ruffs are as much the rage as ever, and are likely to be, I expect, they are so becoming. The Scarborough season is now pretty well over, and a very c;ay one it has been, what with walks on the Spa, and continual dances at the various hotels nightly. The dress there has been as extravagant as ever ; as usual, however, it has been too loud to be really good form. The hats, though, worn there, generally set tbe fashion elsewhere. This season they have been high -pointed felt ones, having wide brims trimmed with long ostrich feathers, of two shades of blue or green and mightily becoming. ’ 1 have told you as yet nothing of the fashions for evening wear, and this I feel quite in a position to do, as I was present lately at one of the best county balls we have. The Countess of Beetive, who is the great lady in these (Westmoreland) parts, brought a large party of particularly well-dressed people, and she hetself is generally recognised as one of the women of the day who

particularly distinguishes herself in that respect. White is, and has been of late, considered the best s'yle for loth evening and morning full dress, and her ladyship appeared in a shimmering white satin, covered with a veil of white tulle, most deftly blended. The skirt was very long, and Lad small flounces to the waist, each edged with narrow silken cord. In the front was a drapery of pearl-spangled tulle, the bodice low, trimmed with white bulled hloud, diamonds on black velvet being worn round the throat, in the hair, and on one side of the bodice. The skirt was very truffante at the back, and she was thoroughly well “ petticoated,” one of the most difficult items in good dressing. Low dresses for full dress arc en regie, and- not square or heart shaped bodies; the berthas, are full and pulled, with heavy trails of flowers along the toy. The best-dressed grand lady last night was in white tarlatan, the front breadth covered with wreaths of flowers, veiled beneath a tarlatan tunic ; and all the dresses are tied back very tightly, so that these front breadths set very flat. The dress which will show you what curious combinations of color are in vogue was a canary-colored satin, having revere at the side, and wide sash ends and loops at the back of vert de gros silk, lined with light blue. The flowers were roses of various shades.