The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-18
FASHIONS AND FANCIES.

| Prepared for the indianapolis Jour nal.
A rear view of fashionable female head
with the back hair raked up out of sight under
one Of the new three-story mar saId roof and
observatory hats, is calculated to fill the behoder
with ave.
| A new wire hustle is announced which, by q
peculiar process of tempering, is said to resist
| pressure of hundred pounds, or, rather, to
! spring back into shane after yielding to such a
weight This will be great boon to the 100
pound women. but what are the 140-pounders
to dog
1t would save much wear and tear of temper
to the dress maker who is trying to follow the
fashionplate if the necks of her customers were
adapted to the wearing of collars quarter of
yard wide. That this is not the case seems to
be regarded by the modiste, in some instances, as
personal offense.
Felt birds with bird -of-paradise tails are the
latest eccentricity in the millinery world. They
have probably come to fill the long-felt want of
which SO much is heard.
Stripes of all widths, stripes longitudinal, hor-
rzontal, diagonal and waved take precedence in
the newest dress-goo Unless the dress-maker
who "composes" costume from these patterns
is more artistic than in her usual handling of
plaids the wearer will feel that she is chastened
with stripes
If the fashion journals are to be believed,
the lady who aspires to be in the height of style
will adorn her outer apparel with profusion of
wooden beads and with wood frinees. If this be-
comes general, the question "Do you finish with
native or foreign woodsl" may apply to the per-
sonal exterior" as we'll as to the interior" of
a house.
Black and white costumes are still fashionably
worn, and, if properly put together. no combina-
ton can be handsomer. If not tastefully com
bined, as is too frequently the case the effect is
apt to be startling and cloud" A too-liberal
proportion of white usually produces the object
ionable result
The criticism is sometimes made that is absurd
to print descriptions of Worth dresses, of the
costly wedding garments of princesses, or of the
not less rich and elegant robes worn by Amer
lean heircsses. or by star actresses since the
great number of those who read the accounts are
plain and comparatively impecunious people,
costumes of like gorgeousness to those described.
But is it absurdi Some, perhaps enviably strong
minded women, pass with calm superiority all
accounts of such fripperies and frivolties which
may confront them, even in their favorite
newspaper. A great number of women,
however. who do rot lay claim to
| the possession of ''souis above clothes"
| will confess to liking for such details. 1t
would possibly be more sensible and practical to
| be devoting their attention to ways and means
Of kip0 fbair vardr0 fahl hut
| this proceeding grows mOnotonous, and the truly
| feminine mind finds relief in occasionally con-
templating, from affair." the silk attire of the
| daughters of luxury. wstful sigh may re-
| suit from such contemplation, but the wearer Of
| calico is not more likely to be moved from her
serenity into envy and discomfort than is the art
| lover who longingly surveys a masterpiece and
as the best he.can do gladly hangs cheap copy
upon his walls.
| The annual discussion in the newspapers con-
| corning the cost of women's dress is about due
1t is superfuous to say that women can spend a
great deal of money on their personal adorn-
ments, and that great many of them
| do who cannot afford it. Among
the latter are some who will crafty their own
| fancies at any cost, and more who not under
standing with what difficulty money is made IN
''these hard times" ignorantly demand that their
| extravaganza wants be satisfied. Most women,
| however. masculine sarcasms to the contrary
notwithstanding, are economical in their personal
expenditures, either through necessity choice,
or from both causes. With the average
woman" the question is not ITO how little can
limit my expensesg" but "How can make the
little--or less. or least-amount dol" A good
many husbands and fathers know that their
wives aud daughters manage to appear presenta
bic il not handsomely dressed on sums which are
distressingly small. but these households
heads do not appreciate the economies, the
| brain work, the feminine sacrifices OF various
kinda necessary TO bring about the desired ra