GENTLEMEN'S DRESS.
In our search for reliable information, writes a trustworthy corre- spondent, as to the spring fashions for gentlemen's clothes, we have come across some interesting facts which show that novelty and style are not so dependent on the whim of the public as one might be lea to suppose. It appears that the styles for one season are ordered by the drapers at the close of the corresponding season of the former year ; 'that is to say, spring goods are ordered in the preceding July, and winter goods in the preceding February ; thus giving about four months for the manufacture and two months more for the supply to retailers. Hence our leading drapers exercise a greater control over the tastes of the day than some of those who affect even now to lead fashion would like to admit ; more than this, it would further appear that certain laws govern the introduc- tion of the different designs, and that once in about ten years the same patterns, or nearly the same, are again in demand—of course improved upon both in style and colouring to suit the advanced taste of the day.
The provision for the season just now is chiefly confined to stripes for trouserings, a variety in width being provided to suit every taste : we hear that the style of trousering called " peg-top" is still to be followed, but not carried to such extreme dimensions as those of the Parisian: a large raised seam is introduced at the side, generally darker than the ground . this has a good effect, and serves also to stiffen the trousers at the side, and make them what the fillers call "hang better."
The variety in coatings and jacketings continues very great, but all the shades and patterns are of a neat character ; mixtures, both dark and light, in undressed and dressed cloths, small ribs and stripes to run down the garment, and cheviots in mixture and small stripes and checks.
There is a symptom of vestings becoming of more importance than they have been for some years past. Usually of late the prevailing fashion has allowed this garment to be either of the same material as the coat or the trousers, but this year the public will be called upon to exer- cise its taste, and select from various checked, striped, and plain mate- rials, all, as far as we have seen, in good taste. Slight as is this change, we think this movement a step in the right direction. A choice of ma- terial gives increased variety of employment to the workman as well as an exercise of taste and judgment to the customer.
Previous page
