Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/44



No. 2.

THE fashions for February do not vary materially from those for January. Several new styles, however, have appeared, both in London and Paris. Short cloaks of every pattern have been the rage; but the season for them is nearly over; and, if we may venture to look so far into futurity, we predict that they will be in comparatively little favor next winter. Indeed long cloaks have been already sported in Paris and London, by some of the leaders of fashion.

We give, this month, two plates of the fashions.

PLATE I., represents in addition to the bonnets, dresses, &c., three new styles of morning dresses. These styles are adapted for the milder days of the winter, and may even be worn far into the spring. Figure first, has an open robe of fancy taffetas, over a muslin under dress; the corsage of the latter, a three-quarter height, beautifully embroidered, and the skirt ornamented with worked entre deux. The silk robe is made with a corsage à revers, which is trimmed with a row of scallops. Tight sleeve, and close mancheron, bordered in the same style. The fronts of the skirt are ornamented with robings in the form of a broken-cone; they are edged with scallops. Bonnet of straw-colored velours épinglé; a very long and rather close brim; it is ornamented with a single and very long marabout plume. Figure second, is arranged in a silk robe of Victoria blue, the corsage tight to the shape and very open, displaying an embroidered chemisette. Tight sleeve. Bonnet of oiseau pou de soie, a very small round shape ; the interior of the brim is trimmed with gerbes of exotics ; the exterior with a bouquet of the same flowers, embedded in foliage. Figure three is in a striped silk robe; a high corsage, partially covered with a large open pelerine, which is embroidered, as are also the pocket-holes of the dress, with silk braiding. Tight sleeves. White satin bonnet, a round open brim; the interior trimmed with wild blossoms, the exterior with a bouquet of white feathers.

PLATE II., represents three wedding costumes. Such a plate as this, we believe, has never before been given to the American public. Figure first wears a white gros de Constantin robe; the front of the skirt is ornamented with lozenges on each side, bordered with fancy silk trimming, and the lower end terminated by a rich cord and tassels; low corsage, trimmed with a Berthe of antique point lace; Manche à la Pompadour, it is very full, descends below the elbow, and is terminated by a lace ruffle. The front hair, disposed in ringlets, is ornamented with a gerbe, composed of Easter daisies and orange flowers. The bridal veil, of antique point lace, is entwined in a braid of the hind hair, and crowned with a long drooping sprig of orange blossoms. Figure second is a magnificent dress, composed of a white lace robe over a pink pou de Soie slip; the border is trimmed with a deep fall of antique point lace laid on without fulness. Corsage à trois pieces, cut very low, with a berthe to correspond with the flounce. Short tight sleeve, terminated by a demi Venitienne manchette of tulle illusion looped at the bend of the arm, and surmounted by a half wreath of roses without leaves. A wreath of roses and their foliage terminating en gerbe, is placed obliquely on the front of the skirt. The head-dress is a scarf of tulle illusion, disposed in a soft roll somewhat in the form of a turban front up on the head: it is ornamented with a rosette on one side, and descends in long floating lappets on the shoulders; a sprig of orange blossoms placed perpendicularly on the left side, completes the ornaments of the coiffure. Figure three is a white pou de soie robe, a low corsage en cour; superbly trimmed with Brussels lace; two full volans of the same cover the short tight sleeve: the skirt is trimmed down the front by lace and roses ; the lace is laid on flat, and it turns round the skirt in a similar style; the hair is dressed in full ringlets at the sides, and ornamented with the bridal veil of Brussels lace; a wreath of roses, and a bouquet of orange blossoms placed on one side. The three upper figures give other styles ofhead-dresses, boddices, &c. These costumes are the most elegant which have appeared for a year.

VOL. I.—5