Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, February 1850

DESCRIPTION OF STEEL FASHION PLATE.

Figure 1st.– Evening dress of straw-colored silk, the skirt trimmed with four flounces of Brussels lace; the first one very deep, the other medium width, and caught up with small bouquets. The corsage is trimmed in a similar style, the lace arranged as a berthe cape, and the trimming of the sleeves falling a little below it. The bouquet de corsage, or bouquet for the waist, is of the same flowers as the wreath, as is usual in full evening costume. Wreaths of purple heath, or the mingled blossoms of aquatic plants, are the most fashionable this season. The heath is worn with ringlets, and made to droop at the side, while the others form small bouquets. Flowers are the most simple and natural ornaments a young lady can wear.

Figure 2d.– A walking-dress of claret-colored cashmere or merino. The form of the corsage is novel and striking. The sleeves are trimmed to correspond with the waist and skirt, being buttoned to the elbow. Delicate cuffs and collar of lace. The bonnet has a single plume, and is lined with a drawn blue ribbon.

FURS.– It will be noticed that the muff' in the fashion plate is of ermine, which is in favor this winter, although sables and stone martin are more generally worn – ermine being so successfully counterfeited that the real can scarce be told from the imitation. Muffs, tippets, and deep cuffs are the principal articles in which fur is used, although opera cloaks, and even hoods, have been trimmed with a narrow row of ermine or sable. Swansdown in cuffs, or a border for sacques, is very tasteful. The muffs are somewhat smaller than they have been worn – very much smaller than those now in vogue in the country. The tippets are small circular capes about the neck, descending in a kind of scarf from in front, very much as our grandmothers wore them.

WOODEN BLOCK FASHIONS.

These are "by the very last arrivals, " as our cotemporaries would say – who, by the way, we are monthly expecting will advertise their fashions as received by telegraph and pony express.

Figure 1 and 2.

1st figure.– Walking-dress of dark green watered poplin, with a full plain skirt. A shawl mantelet, with heavy fringe, and u close velvet bonnet, complete the costume.

2d figure.– Walking-dress of dark silk. A large neglige mantelet, of the same material. A bonnet of quilted satin, edged with a niche of ribbon the same color; a veil thrown carelessly over it.

Figure 3 and 4.

3d figure.– Morning dress of plain crimson cashmere, with corded velvet ribbon extending up the front, and deep pockets, highly ornamented. Loose sleeves, and small cambric collar.

4th figure.– An indescribably ugly costume; but new, very new, which may throw a charm around it. The material is a dark cashmere, and the under dress is fine cambric. The sleeves show a decided tendency toward the old style of " mutton leg." FASHION.

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