Ladies’ Dress Caps.
As yet no mention has been made of caps, but a great many of the illustrations of simple head-covering resemble caps more than hats or bonnets, although not so designated. Figs. 52, 53, and 54 are dress caps worn by the French in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Fig. 55 shows a new style of dress cap called the “Thyra,” composed of Bretonne lace, ribbon, and flowers; the crown being of dotted lace.
Fig. 56 is a muslin breakfast cap called the “Langtry,” made of Valenciennes lace, falling over the front, finished with an Alsatian bow, and the crown of Swiss muslin.
Fig. 57 is a new and novel idea called the “Turban,” composed entirely of a large silk handkerchief. This is much worn for a dinner or evening toilet. The last three styles are taken from the originals at
WADLEIGH’S
BOSTON.
52 53
1750. French.
54
1793.
55
Thyra.
56
Langtry.
57
A.D. 1879.
On the opposite page (Fig. 58) is an illustration of the very latest Paris bonnet by Madame Magnièr.
The foundation is heavy corded silk of cream-color, with an immense wreath of Mignonette covering the front of the crown and drooping gracefully to the left, with face-trimming of a simple knot of Bretonne lace.
Fig. 59, designed and executed at Wadleigh’s, is a white French chip. The face of the bonnet has alternate pipings of light-blue and cardinal satin, with a shirring of the latter. The outside is composed of a knot and twist of Sultan silk mingled with Bretonne lace, a fine wreath of forget-me-nots, and drooping cardinal buds, with Bretonne lace ties. Figs. 60 and 61 are also copies of the latest spring designs.
Fashion now assumes a most important place in the domestic economy of nations.
58 59 60 61
Fashion is the only tyrant against whom modern civilization has not carried on a crusade with success, and its power is still as unlimited and despotic as ever. There is no part of the body which has been more exposed to the vicissitudes of fashion than the head, both as regards its natural covering of hair and the artificial covering of hats and bonnets.
For a long period the world has acknowledged the French to be leaders of fashion. We look to Madame Virot, and other leading modistes of Paris, from season to season, for what might be termed first ideas, but still in all we are obliged to soften down and modify them to suit the more simple taste of American ladies.