The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-01
THE EASTER STYLES.
Washington City Ladies Discuss
the Coming Dresses.
RETuRM or THE HooP-sklRT.


Correspondence. Nv ashington City il fast
becoming one Of the dressiest cities In the
country. You could carpet Pennsylvania
avenue from one end to the other with the
costly satins and silks worn here of win
ter, and there II enough velvet plush at
every White House reception to drape the
capitol from one end Of il to the other,
and from its basement to the dear Goddess
Of Liberty who stands ON her tiptoes on
the dome. A number of our leading
ladies' design their own dresses, and
know one or two who wear the most
beautiful costumes seen here who make
their own dresses. On last New Years
Mrs. Senator Davis wore at her recep-
ton Greek dress of pink plush, out
Of which her magnificent form showed
In all its voluptuous beauty. As stood
beside her whispered in her ear that she
looked lovely and that she had the pref
test dress in Washington. II both de-
signed and made it myself" she replied,
and It was certainly as beautiful as any of
the Worth productions have seen this
winter. A number Of American women
give ideas to French dressmakers, and
there are some ladies here who are
even bold enough to predict the
fashions Of the future. During
these giddy Lenten days-for society is
apparently more giddy now than in the
winter-many Of the wives Of our noted
men have been expressing their opinions
IS to the toilets and dresses Of the future.
Many Of them have numerous new dresses,
which are to come out after Easter, and I
have today chatted with number Of
ladies on the dresses of the summer, and
those which will be worn next fall.
MES. GENERAL sPINoLA ON HOOP sKIRT
REVIVAL.
Mrs. Spinola, wife of the New York re-
preventative, was the first seen. Frequent
references are made to her toilets which
are considered among the most magnifi-
cent worn here. It is we'll known that
most of them originate in Paris, and on
that account are allowed to be well in the
lead. Although of Paris make, much of
their attractiveness is due to their wearers'
own taste. Mrs. Spinola has very artistic
ideas, and the gowns most admired are
frequently those which have been altered
10 conform to her own instructions. As
her own gowns are 30 far ahead of the
rcigning mode. 1t is easy to judge what il
In store for us by them.
Mrs. Spinola said: ~ am sure women
in this day dress much more sensible than
they have ever before, but these plain
skirts are becoming very tiresome They
make women look so skinny, and there is
20 little chance for draping that women
feel awkward. On the last new dress that
received this week. there are four ruffies
about the foot, and during the coming
season / expect to see skirts ruffled and
trimmed to the knees, widely worn. The
tendency is to carry the ruffiing clear to the
waist, and a. the frills come already hear
faint rumors of the possibility of the re-
vival of hoop skirts. They never will be
~ large as they once were. Women never
would submit to that, / do not
believe. but small ones are on the way.
Doctors will welcome them, believe, for
know Of physicians who consider small
hoop far less injurious than tightly cling
ing skirts. Ny latest Partisan gowns
show that sleeves will be pulled to the
elbow, often In several puffs, and great
deal Of fullness and trimmings win con-
hnue to give size to the tops and fronts of
bodices. Art dresses will not be SO numer-
pus and trains will not be heightened.
There is new style in India silks which 1
expect TO see much worn. since it is so
cool and graceful. For young ladies the
simpler style of gowns, ruffled about the
skirt and with profusion of chiffon and
MULE about the neck commends itself and
will be the prime favorite. We women
give 50 little attention in Washington to
hats and bonnets that Ihave as vet formed
coming season in millinery. In dresses,
however, Paris gowns are always a year,
and in cases where one is well known as
to be able to secure the choisest designs,
they are at least two seasons ahead, so
that am able to judge by that. A very
G~n De- sssa 4 IL
and worn with care, is really good for
three seasons on this side"
SENATOR sAwyER's DAUGHTER ON JENNEss
MILLER.
Mrs. Howard Whyte, the daughter and
presiding genius of Senator Sawyer's
Washington palace, is known as most
magni6cently gowned woman. Her ar
tistic tastes result in the production of
soilettes that are symphonies in form and
color, and several of them worn this sea-
son are admitted to be faultless in every
detail while marked by great originality
Mrs. Whyte had hardly decided Just what
direction fashion would exploit itself this
summer. She thinks that the pres
ent mode is the greatest advance
yet made, and. that the plain
wear. She said: II am q believer in Mrs.
Jenness Miller's system and styles and ad-
vocate their adoption. Mrs. Miller's STYLES
run to no extreme, and / do not believe
that whatever change comes this summer
that women are going to adopt anything
30 exaggerated as to be unnatural hope
they have too much good sense now. The
hustle was unnatural, skirts tied tightly
back were immodest, and too much drap-
cry was uncomfortable From the little
thought ] have given to the matter I
should conclude there will be very little
perceptible change from the winter modes,
which will be reproduced in summer ma
terials."
THE HEAVY BRocApE THE FUTURE FASHION
ABLE DRESS.
Madame Romero, wife of the Mexican
minister, is another faultlessly attired wo-
man and one who, while not a devotee of
fashion, always keeps well ahead of the
reigning style, choosing rather to illus
trate the tendency than the mode. She
said: 81 am very glad to see the approach
of the heavy brocade. 1t must result in
the most perfect simplicity of form, since
the large designs and heavy goods are not
adapted to a confusion of drapings
ner party I was unable to resist
admiring the appearance of one of
the guests. Her gown was q magnificent
brocade. The skirt fell in graceful folds to
her feet, while a full demi-train swept be-
hind. The corsage was also plain, high
necked and long, very long sleeyed. The
contrast was almost startling, as every
other woman was in decollete toilette, vet
among the entire company there was no
abe who wore the high-necked brocade. /
ran see no indications IF apv decided