Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-04-25
REVIEW OF FASHIONS.

REVIEW or FASHIONS.
Details I'm Which Summer Styles Diner
from Those or Last Winter.
It is In details rather than In strik-
ingly novel effects that the fashions
for the ensuing season differ from those
Of the past winter. The all-important
question, els it becoming?" being sat-
isfactorily settled according to the
taste of the prospective wearer (and
parenthetically it may be remarked.
individual taste does not always accord
with recognized artistic tenets). the
style may be adopted fearlessly, and
the tasteful designer of a graceful nov
city or the ingenious adapter of a pop
ular model will have plenty of follow
ers.
The majority of the seasons models
are opponents of the 'infinite variety"
of which the DirectOire and Empire
styles are susceptible, and naturally
our centennial celebrations have
aroused interest in the fashions of a
century ago; and the quaint simplicity
of some of the summer models, with
their full waists, straight, full skirts,
and leg -O'~muttOn sleeves, the broad
brimmed hats and negligently tied
fichus, is easily traced to the portraits
of that period.
These simple styles are especially
becoming for youthful wearers. and
they lend themselves so readily to sum-
mer fabrics and practical as we'll as
dressy uses, that there can be no ques-
ton about their universal popularity.
For those who from taste or necessity
eschew this extreme simplicity, there
are all gradations of elaborateness,
contributed chiefly by the trimmings
or unique arrangements of combina-
ton materials, but, as rule, plain
ness, in outline at least. will be dis
tinguishing characteristic of the sea-
sons styles; yet so wide is the latitude
allowed for the exercise of individual
taste. that dresses of the past two sea-
sons, with slight notifications of the
draperies, will still be within the pale
of fashion.
In all the new models the length of
the waist is perceptibly shorter, though
not unbecOmingly SO, and with the
Empire corsage it is usually the high
arrangement of the broad sash that i'm
parts the very short-waisted appear
ance. Basques are short over the hips,
and. unless the fronts open over a
separate vest, a moderately short point
is the preferred outline for the front,
while the back is a trifle longer, and
either in a plain position shape. or
with the back pieces, and sometimes
the side-forms also, forming short,
| pointed or shield-shaped tabs.
Round waists are especially popular
for all seasonable materials, sometimes
plain with applied draperies-this,
usually, for the heavier and less pliable
materials the variety of shirred
and plated and tucked and honey
| combed and full waists of every
conceivable kind can not be
| enumerated. Some have the full eff
| feet in the middle of the front and
back only; others have it all across
| the front and back, either disposed
| evenly or in clusters; others, again,
have the shirring or tucking arranged
| to give rounded or straight yoke eff
| feet; or the fullness is massed in the
shoulder seams, and the V-shaped
spaces left plain or filled in with en-
broidery or velvet or some fancy or
contrasting fabric; while the univer-
sally becoming surplice waist is as
much a favorite as,ever.
Dress sleeves have more or less full
ness at the shoulders, sometimes only
sufficient to give slightly high effect,
while others are in genuine leg-O'-mut-
ton style, long, and quite close at
the wrists. and finished with broad
frills of lace. A perfectly plain,
close-ftting coat-sleeve is excep-
tionali a puff of greater or less depth
is added at the top, perhaps another
at the elbow. and often a narrow puff,
or rather doubled frill, finishes the
wrist; or there may be pulled or
plain-pointed piece inserted at the top.
extending halfway Or quite to the ell
bow. The bishop sleeve. with a cuff
of greater or less depth. is a favorite
style for lightweight goods; and there
are numerous fancy styles with slash
ings that disclose an undersleeve.
Sleeves, generally. possess an element
of comfort impossible with skin
tight coat sleeve, which was the de-
spair of the dressmaker, and constant
source of Inconvenience, if not suf-
fering, to the wearer.- 8
Monthly.