Radical changes in Fashions.
--A Paris correspondent of the Index gives notice of some curious, and, as she says' "radical" changes in ladies' dress, in the most fashionable circles of the centre of fashion. Her descriptions will be sure to interest many of our lady readers.--She writes:‘ "In ladies' evening toilets it is impossible not to perceive a decided tendency toward a radical change. This change, or reform, is as yet confined to the very elite of fashionable society, but by a well-known and invariable law will doubtless extend in another season or two to all classes that pretend to 'dress, ' and not merely to be clothed. At Compiegne this winter one might have fancied one's self at the court of the Empress Josephine, so close was the imitation to the fashion of the first empire. Crinolines were discarded, the skirts being narrow, almost tight; the waists very short, cut in the shape of a heart in front, and supported by broad waistbands with fancy clasps; the materials worn were dotted with gold stars or bees; the hair, much raised behind, was artistically disposed in a mass of tiny ringlets upon the forehead, and encircled by a diadem of massive gold or of precious stones.--Rich necklaces, extremely long ear-rings, and gloves, coming far over the wrist, completed the illusion of a return to the taste of Malmaison."
’ She adds, somewhat wickedly:
‘ "Few styles of toilet are more trying to female loveliness. If a woman is truly beautiful it singularly enhances the effect of her natural graces, of the elegance and ease of her every movement.
On the other hand, what a risk of revelations which the cunning art of the dressmaker has no longer the same discretion to prevent! For this reason it is to be expected that the new fashion will be slow in gaining universal favor.
"Another contemplated change is to revive white muslin for evening parties. Female society would thus divide itself into two classes: the riches elegantes, who will wear satin of embroidered gros de Naples, or velvet braided with fur, toilets which, for a dinner party, are considered of the last elegance; and the simplettes, who will please in modest white muslin. Economy is given as the reason for this return to an almost discarded fashion; but we all know how severely exacting is this most 'simple' of toilets.
"For morning dress in the country and at the watering, or, rather, wintering places in the south of France, long skirts have very sensibly been discarded. The skirt is worn tucked up over short fancy petticoats. The short, tight-fitting basque, held by a wide waistband, is of the same material as the skirt, generally a pretty English-made grey, or some darker shade. The petticoat is cash-mere, of a lively color, either blue, red or lilac, enlivened by a small flounce, and ornamented with some trimmings or braiding, according to taste. An English hat, Polish bottines, stockings of the same color as the petticoat, and straw-colored dog-skin gloves, complete a walking costume as picturesque as it is convenient."
’
