PARIS FASHIONS.
(From our own Correspondent.) Paris is in a state of feverish excitement. Not only are the nights taken up with dancing, but the days are consumed in making compli- cated preparations. Never before was there such an exclusive rage for fancy-balls. M. Fould's, last Monday week, Madame de Moray's on Wednesday, Madame Walewska's on Shrove Monday ; and then there is the Empress's ball, for which unheard of splendours are being designed.
The balls, too, have helped to signalize the week by the introduction of several novelties, such as dresses of tulle bouillonnee, with a tunic of moire francake in large stripes of rose and white, blue and white, 8ce„ These tunics are similar to the corsage. They are trimmed all round with a deep but light fringe, or with a ribbon ruche of the same colours as the stuff. They are gathered up at the aides, and sometimes all round with large bows of ribbons. Upon stuff dresses, which are gene- rally striped, are worn scarfs of the same material, trimmed with a small niche and finished below by a large bow of ruche with long ends. Over the corsage are worn little shawls pointed before and behind, with a niche all round ; these should be fastened at the shoulders, as they it much better than when confined behind. Extremely youthful and transparent-looking dresses are made in clear white tarlatan. On the
bottom of the skirt are seven little ijounces, all graduated ; the lower one, of course, being the deepest. On enchgounce isrun &plain white spin ribbon, about as broad as the finger, and the effect is very charming. Above, and ap- parently in continuation of the seven little flounces, and going all round the skirt, should be pyramidsformed of other little flounces, and trimmed in the same way with white satin ribbon. The boddice, low and square, is often finished by a simple ruche ; the sleeves should be short, with three little flounces. Some ladies trim. this style of flounce with satin ribbon of another colour. The effect is pretty, but not so simple ; and in this case it is better to substitute white chamberry gauze for the tarlatan. Of course it is needless to observe that under all these toilettes a petti- coat of white taffetas should be worn. Head dresses of gold grapes and leaves are very fashionable. The preference is always given to large flowers, excepting for dresses that are trimmed with bouquets. The cordon imperatioe, made all of flowers, starting from one shoulder to lift up the tunic on the other side, is ele- gant to the last degree. This cordon is made of several sorts of flowers; or when it is all of green the effect is very distinguished. One of the most remarkable we have seen was a mixture of geraniums and lime blossoms, with sprays of asparagus, and here and there a few red berries. Mademoiselle Pitrat excels in making these flowery appendages. She copies from_nature and hot-housnexotics. The sorties de bal are not so luxurious as they were last year. Em- broidered opera-cloaks are seldom seen; the handsomest and most taste- ful are of China blue velvet or emerald green lined with quilted white satin, with a ruche of white satin inside and just showing below the velvet. The hood should be round, and lined with white satin and com- pleted by a bow of velvet with ends descending very low and lined like the rest with satin. The black lace hood is.still better, and the black velvet bow at the back should be flat, terminating in two long, square, wide lappets. They are now preparing for young women, as well as wraps for the mild season, of quilted taffetas red, white, or blue; and we cannot imagine anything more rich and fresh. The new over dress which is the shape of a talma without a hood, is worn with a veil of white silk tulle which drapes the head and shoulders. A lady leaving a ball-room in this costume is seen to the most flattering and
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