The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-04
Tea Gown. and Things.

From wonan's World for March.
There is little excuse in the present day
for wearing unbecoming garments. Dress
designers take their inspiration from every
imaginable source. In old times, when
the all-important question OF the make of
gown had 10 be discussed with the dress
maker, she produced only few current
fashion plates while suggesting styles.
Now, Ii she goes with the times, she will
call to her aid choice old prints, or, at all
events, photographs of famous pictures,
and books Of costumes of all ages and all
countries taking hint from ono and an
other. There is scarcely famous female
portrait Of tho Louis XIV, XIV. and XVI.
periods in France that has not contributed
its quota TO current styles, nor stuff
which the famous queens and courtesans
of those days wore that we have not re-
suscilated.
In the illustration Of tea gown on page
lSI MIR. Sykes, of Regent street, has taken
advantage of Oriental types. The long
sleeves through which the arm Is thrust at
the elbow, with pendant ends, has many a
duplicate In Turkish haroms; tho form OF
the belt and the tono OF the embroidery
SAVIOR also of the shores of the Bosphorus,
being very dclicatcly worked in multi
! coorod beads aud tinsel thread, displaying
tho mellowed tints OF some eastern carpet.
The belt is duplicated by pointed collar
piece at the neck, which confines the soft
iullnoss OF the gathered Oriental silk,
forming perpendicular folds, while at the
skirt such folds fall horizontally. The
| "Princesso" dress Is made in plush or vel
vet. II admits of many variations OF color.
Ruby, with light pink front, hnrmonizes
well with the class OF embroidery en-
! ployed; n gallon 10 match borders the open
ing OF the sleeve. and appears again as
an epaulcttc, being carried up the shoulder
| In point; u gold broidercd band encirclcs
the throat This Is q dress calculated TO
show of 10 the best advantage the graceful
outlines OF figure for which Englishwomen
are distinguished. II Is lined throughout
with faint pink surah, which shows M the
wcarer moves. Tea gowns would seem 10
gain favor more and moro. Al country
house parties they are universally worn at
tea timc. After long walk In the lanes,
or even after long drive, II Ia delightful
10 cast of heavy WOODEN dpses, with
thick boots, and don the easy soft flowing
tea gowns, which ARE ut the same time be-
coming. In London they are the flHhion
for home dinner wear, and probably thisis
why they AFRO made at all events to appear
10 NJ moro closely than they originally did.
II is not considered that they are in good
style II in any way they suggest dressing
gown or wrapper; and they arc nearly all
trimmed now with the costly tinscl gallons,
In which the metal gives Just q suili-
cicnt feeling Of metallic origin 10 assert H.
self without glitter, subduing and mellow
ing the tints. Very wonderful tca-gowns
appear on the stage, but perhaps the most
splendid Of all Ia that worn by Mrs. Bcr-
nard Becc in "As in a Looking Glass"
principally composed Of ned crepe, which
swathcs the limbs in most graceful fashion.
She ican il open In the death scene, show
ing white silk vest beneath, invisible be-
fore. Red tea-gowns are worn much, but
save for the embroidery upon them, there
Ia no admixturc Of color. A leader OF
society has just ordered one In China
crepe trimmed only with thick ruohe
of the same carried up the front and round
the hem. The iniricacics OF draping in
yolyed In the arrangement Of this particu-
lar gown, however, are altogether indie
scribablc.