Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-02

| crowns, the massing Of materials, and the mix.
Cure of colors is confusion ttsel-loud and aggres
more to be regretted because most conspicuous
In the popular styles-that Is, those worn by
the majority. The exclusive modes, those which
cost the most money, are usually quiet and
possess the cachet of refinement; but the desire
for novelty, the ignorance of form, and the will
lingness to take the most in bulk for the money
| lower the general standard, while the respect
| for authority renders most women ready to ac-
cept anything which is called stylish" though
| taste. Doubtless some sort of toning-down pro-
| cess will take place when these marvellous
structures reach individual owners, but in the
mass they seem to be an outrage on sense as
| we'll as taste
A UNIVERSAL FASHION
In the spring time, and a very pretty one, is OF
| late the wearing Of flowers. Not only women
appear with their punches of roses violets OF
! daffOdils, but men are not ashamed to take
| their daily walk to store Office with geran-
| ium leaf and sprig of forget-me-nots, a prim-
| rose or pansy in their button hole Many were
| the criticisms passed upon Charles Dickens
when he appeared upon the platform with g
expression of homage to the incoming spring,
| the beauty of the youthful summer, aud SO
| much more charming because spontaneous. 1t
| gives touch OF Individuality, too, to the sober
and somewhat uniform street costume, which
| does not render it disagreeably conspicuous as
does high contrasts associated with street dress
| in any permanent way.
The conventional graduating dress is the
| white lawn or camDr1C which
comes in pattern boxes and is sold anywhere
| from So to S15 for the Dress including a deep
founce and trimming for the bodice and
widths of trimming-one between the deep
founcing and the narrow width for the bodice
which may be ~ used for apron panels or hip
less conventional kind are made of cream
tinted muslin, tucked skirt, belted bodice, and
trimming of cream satin ribbon and fcelle
lace. Fine India muslin is very delicate and
pretty made with hem and clustered tucks; the
belted bodice trimmed at the neck and upon
the sleeves with fine imitation of mechlin
and pale yellow satin sash. The most useful
| dress by far for graduation is made of cream
eolored surah with 18th, two delicate tucked
draped back. The lace should be gathered and
crossed over to the left, and belt made of folds
of cream satin from which would depend the
fan held by loops of satin ribbon: The bodice,
high at the back and with full lace finish,
partly falls on the silk, partly stands upright
| close to the arm, and finished with lace laid
partly upon, partly below the edge in the shell
| almond tinted gloves and cream satin or black
shoes complete the toilet
Yellow muslin over white, trimmed with
white lace and white flowers, is very pretty,
and so also is the simplest of all dresses-dotted
white muslin, which, if II could be made at
home, could be gotten up. ribbon, belt and lace
for sleeves and neck, complete, for six OF seven
dollars. Elaborate and costly white dresses are
out OF place upon such an occasion. White satin
bodices, with thin skirts are admissible, but
they are not recommended. White satin is very
trying to the Iairest skin by daylight, and pro
duceS a feeling of conStraint. The best dress for
any occasion in which the wearer has to partici-
pate is one in which she can forget.
PARASoLS.
ParaSols are of piece with the millinery.
They have been growing more pronounced for
the past three years, and have reached the
acme. The Saline parasols for country wear are
printed on brilliant tulip, rose and daffodil pat
terms. The richer styles not only in high
colors, but embroidered and contrasted with
decorative fancies in crazy fashion that sug-
geStS the freaks of lunatics rather than serious
intention.
The finest parasols are the black or cream
satin covered with plated gauZe or real Spanish
lace, with ivory or ebony handles and ham
mered gold or silver tops.
This year lace is used for cover or a full deep
border put flat but not as rutfle Some
times the lace cover fall the edge Of the
foundation silk or satin, but it does not great
ly enlarge it,
Dress fans are Of transparent gauze, painted,
but in these also the black and cream or deli
cate tinted ones are alone worth the purchase
money. The reds are ugly; and the blues must
be OF peculiar shades and match the toilet or
they are horror.
There are the grays and wood colors, which
are lovely when they can he found, and the
decoration is dainty and in small fair Towering
designs; but one such is rarely seen while the
bold cOlOrs and large striking objects which are
supposed to ornament them stare one out OF
countenance at every turn. JENNY JUNE.