Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-09
WOMAN,S EVENING DRESS.
The English Woman Wears a Higher
COrsage than FOrmerly-ElOwer and
Bird Dresses.
From the London STANDARD.

From the London Standard.
Some few years ago evening dresses were all, to
a certain extent, made upon one pattern. The
regulation low bodice, with or without trimming
round the shoulders, was varied only by a little
extra lowness on the reverse, and by the absence
or presence OF the useful and pretty little edglng
OF lace or lisse known technically as tucker.
This with a piece Of narrow ribbon or velvet
run through it, served the purpose Of drawing the
upper part OF the bodice closely round the shouR
ders The courageous woman who first dispensed
with 1t created small storm in the social
teacup. Those who most strongly disapproved
were among the first to follow her lead, and now
there are quite as many bOdiceS made without the
tucker as there are with IT,
To have appeared 10 high bodice at dinner
party Or a ball IN those days would have been
almost an insult to ones hostess, unless the eX-
cuse were offered OF Ill health or an unusually bad
cold. But by degrees few sensible women In
augurated the era OF Square-cut DO iices, made
high to the neck at the back and cut away In
front. To wear a square" or V became quite
correct and orthodox. Posses ,ors OF thin arms
were no longer obliged by the dictates OF fashion
the sQuare-shaped bodice was then always accom-
panied by half-long sleeves. Only recently has IL
become customary to display the whole arm while
partially covering the shoulders.
There Is now no reason why any woman should
wear the low bodice, unless she moves court cir
tiers Of dress still makes the inartistc and trying
low bodice Indispensable. Save at drawing rooms
and state balls the square or wholly high dress is
quite permissible, and the beautiful forms OF
drapery adapted from the Greek that are now to
be seen at every fashionable assembly lend further
encouragement TO sensible and hygienic style Of
evening dress IL would be 1mpOSslble to calculate
how many thousands Of lives have been sacrificed
to the low bodice. or how many cases OF lifelong
loss OF energy and spirits might be traced to its de-
bilitating effects more especially on young mar
ried women and their children. II doctors would
but speak out and condemn IL, as they most GER
tainly would were 1t new fashion just introduced
a fresh and strong impulse would be given to the
tendency that already exists In the direction Of the
high bodice and the lowcut would soon be left en-
trey 10 the ladies Of the court and to far different
circles OF society," where 1t IL adopted in its most
Migrant form for reasons which NJ. Zola has sum-
ctently indicated.
Flower dresses are among the pewest ideas. A
poppy is Illustrated In one OF these. The top Of
the skirt and the whole OF the front Is covered
with Immense poppy petals simulated in pleated
crinkled red silk Of the exact tint OF the nower
The back is In poppy.colored tulle. rose Is rep
resented in the same way, and the lily makes q
good companion dress to be worn by sister or
friend.
Ribbons are more than ever used as trimmings.
They are made of the sOfteSt texture, and the
most fashionable are either moire or In silk gauze
striped with satin.
Birds are no longer worn as dress trimmings.