Records of the Beau Monde. FASHIONS FOR AUGUST, 1825. EXPLANATION OF THE PRINTS OF THE FASHIONS. No. 1.-CARRIAGE DRESS. A THREE-QUARTERS pelisse-robe and petticoat of gros de Naples; the colour, terred'Egypte. This elegant dress, which is well adapted to the open carriage, either the curricle or barouchette, is trimmed down the sides, and round the border, and round the border of the petticoat, with oblong puffs; each divided by two lotos leaves of satin. The body is made partially low, and the front of the waist en gerbe, but formed into a stomacher by a row of the same ornaments as those on the border, on each side of the bust. The sleeves fit almost close to the arm, and are confined at the wrists with four bands of the same material as the pelisse. A pelerine-fichu-scarf is thrown over the shoulders; the scarf of Urling's lace, trimmed round with a full quilling of thread tulle, from the same manufacture, and terminating at the ends with a bow of white satin ribbon in three loops. A fichu of gossamer net is worn under the robe, surmounted by a Spanish high collar of lace, pointed, and the points turning down; the fichu fastened with a cameo, or mosaic medallion brooch. Transparent hat of white crape, with ornaments of gauze edged with blond; among which are interspersed nasturtiumblossoms, and foliage of various shades. From a braid of hair, surrounding the neck, depends a large convent cross of gold. Slippers of black satin, and Limerick gloves, complete the dress. No. 2.-EVENING COSTUME. DRESS of blue crépe-lisse over a satin slip of the same colour: balloon puffings surround the border, and are carried up gracefully, in bias, across the skirt, but not quite so high as the waist. A bouquet of primroses is placed in front, in the centre of the trimming round the border, and another finishes the ornament that is carried across more than half-way up the skirt: each puff is confined by fluted rings of blue satin. The corsage is of blue satin, made plain, except having a crêpe-lisse bouffont drapery across the bust, which is fastened in the middle with a fluted ring of satin. The sleeves are short, and are formed of gauze, beautifully entwined, representing treillage-work. A narrow tucker of Vandyke blond is adopted with this dress. The hair elegantly arranged in curls and bows, among which are fichupoints of blue gauze interspersed; two points depend, with pearl tassels, over the right side, and a very small esprit feather is placed at the back of the summit of the head. The necklace and ear-rings are of large pearls; the bracelets of broad chased gold, fastened with sapphires. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FASHIONS AND DRESS. THE gay bustle at the court-end of the town is now abating: instead of the light carriage, with two footmen behind, in splendid liveries, bowling rapidly to the fashionable morning lounge, we behold the more ponderous travelling vehicle, with its convenient seat in the rear, where the servants in their undress frocks or their great coats are placed at their ease. Even these carriages, now, are but rarely seen; their owners have almost all departed to breathe a purer air, or to fill up the number of fashionables at their favourite watering places. Yet, the powers of taste and invention are not suspended; for the artists employed in adorning the fair forms of Albion's daughters, continue to receive the orders of their constant employers. We have, consequently, the same facility of obtaining the newest fashions as we have in the winter months, and are always enabled to present them, from the best authorities, to our indulgent readers. The warmth of July caused even the light silk pelisse to be thrown aside in outdoor costume; and muslin pelerines, profusely trimmed with lace, Arachne sautoirs, or Titania shawls, of that light gossamer texture which seems only adapted to the shoulders of the fairy queen, were universally seen, both in carriages and at the promenade, as the only out-door coverings over an India muslin dress, rivalling the snow in whiteness. The Titania shawl is, however, fit only for the carriage, to which, it is at present confined: nothing can exceed the beauty of this light and transparent summer envelope; the colours are of the most beautiful tints; but, if it have a fault, it is in the whimsical pattern and disposal of its shades; for turn it which way one will, it is still a schal boiteur; and being in stripes, it reminds us of the United States' flag. Still, nothing can exceed the delicate beauty of its texture, or the fine silk-like fibres of its fringe: these shawls should hang on a fine form, but not on one too spare. before the departures for the country: it is delicate and cheering to the eye, particularly on the young, though certainly adapted to all ages. Yet we doubt whether it will ever again be in that general favour we once knew it. The dresses are most elegantly finished, as to their ornaments of lace, flounces, and embroidery; but they are all made in the blouse style, with sleeves en gigot; and though some few ladies line the bodies and sleeves with pink, in order to display the bust, elegantly ornamented with lace and rich embroidery across, let in en brandenbourgs, yet there is an evident aim at proving that the gown is meant only to be in the style of demiparure. Some have five or six narrow flounces, edged with open work; others have lace let in, in rows, almost as high as the knee; and between each row of lace, one of superb raised embroidery; while the fine jacanot, or mull-mull, has round the border a cluster of five narrow flounces hanging one over the other, of the same plain but costly material as the dress. Yet the ladies cannot, many of them, bring themselves to part with their favourite chintzes, or printed muslins; they wear them in the morning, they take an airing in them, to make arrangements with their banker or solicitor, and, often when they have no party to join, but merely to converse on their approaching journey, at home, they retain the same dress the whole day: never did an infatuation for one material last so long in that sphere, where novelty is generally the primum mobile. Taffeties, and other summer silks of bright colours, continue to be worn at evening parties, and at the summer theatres: young ladies wear clear muslins, beautifully embroidered in sprigs; yet such is the little estimation in which white is held for evening costume, that these are generally put over a silk slip of celestial blue, lilac, or some other lively colour. When such dresses are worn at the friendly dinnerparty, the sleeves are long and wide, and not confined by bracelets, but by a simple ribbon and bow, the same colour as the slip. As usual in the fashionable summer months, a simplicity in dress takes place of the conspicuous gaiety observed in the costume of the metropolis. Ball-dresses Rose-coloured bonnets of reps silk, with a falling blond at the edge, and without either feathers or flowers, are much worn by young ladies for walking. Another favourite bonnet is of white gros de Naples,|| trimmed also at the edge with blond, and ornamented, though not profusely, with a I cluster of different coloured flowers. The capole and large Leghorn hat are yet in favour, either for morning carriage airings, or for the promenade; the former are now most fashionable when made of striped silk; this is, by no means, an improvement; as it imparts the idea of the bonnet having been made out of a remnant of a gown or a pelisse. Though flowers in bonnets are more in favour than feathers, yet the latter, of the fox-brush kind, have been seen on white bonnets of figured gros de Naples, on some very elegant females. White chip hats, also, with a beautiful plume of marabouts in front, and trimmed slightly with lapis ribbon, have recently appeared in carriages and graced the charming heads of some distinguished females in the verdant allées of Kensington gardens. Hats of this kind are expected to be much in favour for the rural fêtes and carriage excursions this summer. White has again made its appearance are of tulle, trimmed with blond; flowers No. 8.-Vol. II. M are sometimes mingled with the trimmings, || vail in the summer recesses, at fêtes cham but very sparingly; blond of the richest pêtres, and other rural divertissemens. pattern is now completely the rage, and Bonnets of white gros de Naples, with when such an expensive article is used on very superb white plumage, will, it is the border of dresses, it would be a pity thought, be preferred by matrons, at public to obscure its beauty by the addition of || déjeûnés, to hats. It has this season been other ornaments. We saw lately a very the mode to go to Vauxhall without hats : beautiful summer gown for half-dress: it at the juvenile fête which lately took was of that improved leno, known in place there, the heads of the ladies were France by the name of organdy; the drest as at the Opera; only that there ground was white, and it had satin stripes were fewer dress hats. Turbans of the of that beautiful and becoming red lilac, most costly kind, pearls and rubies also, the marshmallow-blossom colour. The were seen adorning the heads of many sleeves were long, and being cut in bias, ladies of rank; and the fête was, indeed, these stripes had a very charming effect: truly splendid. Several of the turbans two rows of triple flounces ornamented were surmounted with the bird-of-paradise the border of the skirt; these were plume, real marabouts, silver wheat, and wrought to answer to the stripes, and were other valuable ornaments. white, edged with marshmallow-blossom; the body made plain and partially high,|| with a sash confining the waist, with long ends in front of the left side, the same colour as the stripes on the dress. In the same family we saw also a dress of bright amber-coloured taffety, which, though made only half low, is as well suited by the brilliancy of its colour, and the elegance of its make, for the dinner party or the summer theatre, as for demi-parure. The bust was superbly ornamented en beguine; with drop fillagree, silk buttons, beautifully wrought and set very close to- || have so lately figured away in the gilded gether on each side of the bust; the sleeves || long, and the mancherons ornamented with buttons the same as those on the bust; the wrists à la Psyche, with satin ornaments representing butterflies. || The favourite colours are blue, of every shade, marshmallow-blossom, straw-colour, amber, pink, and vine-leaf-green. Cabinet of Taste, OR MONTHLY COMPENDIUM OF FOREIGN By a Parisian Correspondent. COSTUME OF PARIS. THOSE Gallic dames of higher rank, who salons of the ambassadors and ministers, have become too fastiduous to honour with their presence, so soon after, the balls at Ranelagh, or other assemblies, where admission is more easily obtained; they have, accordingly, the greatest part of them, quitted Paris for a season, and are gone to enjoy the present charming weather at their country seats. Their departure is, however, so recent, that we are not left without resource, and I have it in my power to send you an authentic statement of our newest fashions. Wreaths of flowers, or diadem combs, are the favourite ornaments on the heads of young persons; the curls next the face are again worn somewhat too large; and with matronly ladies they are often taken for false hair, when they are not so: they have a formal and unbecoming appearance. Small blond caps, and the attractive lappet cap, continue to be worn by married ladies A taste for splendour of dress has been in home costume; but the latter looks imbibed with our coronation fêtes, which best on a tall figure; those who are more you will see in the progress of my acpetite generally adopt a Scotch cap or a counts. It is not, indeed, much displayed turban without ornaments, or a tasteful in out-door costume; and, for this style of cap, ornamented with flowers, which are dress, the favourite is a pelisse of some infinitely more becoming to their persons. light material with a pelerine of the same. Dress hats, of white chip, surmounted by Over coloured dresses is added only a feathers, or adorned with flowers, accord- || white pelerine of muslin, ornamented with ing to the style of dress, are likely to pre-embroidery, and finished at the edge with |