Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-02
If You are Not Young.
Now York Recorder.


Black is usually safe but there are also
many colorS which become the complexion
of middle age. Most reds suit fair women.
as well as brunetteS past their prime, but
greens are only suited TO dark women The
deep, full graSS-green now worn in velvet
may be chosen safely by almost any com
pleXiOn, and elderly women should bear in
mind that rich materials are suited TO them; ;
that velvets, plain and brocaded, silks of
the best texture, lend dignity to age. and
that in mantelS as well as dresses splendOr
of detail should not be ignored. Fawn is a
favOrite color now, but it is a young wO-
mans shade. unless it be loaded with jet or
gold trimmings. 1t is better to have one
handsome gown year, and a rich mantel
III three Years, than to choose many unim-
preSSiye toilets for those who have passed
the hey-dey of youth.
Care must be taken in choosing the pat
terms of the materials worn by stout fig
ures. Horizontal lines must be most care
fully avoided, long straight panels diminish
the apparent size, and great care must be
taken in hanging the the skirt, especially if
it be Il plain one. Long shallow pIaits
ought to be inserted at the back of the hips,
and il should be SO managed that a few soft
horizontal folds fall about a quarter of
ward below the waist in front Disgusting
the outlines of the figure The present
style of cutting the skirt on the cross is
striped materials must not be chosen, and
on no account must the fabric be fitted to
the waists without plaits, as now worn by
young people. The crOSS-cut materials are
generally more elastic.
The best way of trimming 4 bodice is to
have either braces OF long reverS on either
side. narrowing at the waist, covering the
front darts. \ stripe down the center hid
ing the fastenings is also good. Long. grace
ful lines must be chosen in the arrangement
of any draperY on the bodice, and short,
sleeveless jackets are to be avoided. Polo
naises skipfully managed diminish the ap-
parent size; ami though the present long
coats cut the figure, and should be avoided
by those who are short and stout, they are
admirable for tall, stout women. 4 girdle
placed low about the hips, in the hands of a
skillful dressmaker, may be made to lessen
the size of the wearer, while unSkillfully
treated it will increase it. The present
style of wearing chiffon on the front of the
bodice enhances the charms of middle age;
and often it is an advantage to trim one
side and then carry the folds across The
waist frills of lace now worn can be used
with good effect if they are made to end at
the side and not carried in front. but it must
be borne in mind that if the hips are big
everything must be done to lessen their
apparent size. and any extra trimmings on
the hips is calculated to enlarge the figure
Notnlng must De lgnlly SlrI IN at the
waist. Long jackets with Jet drops soften
the outlines, and stout women, in trying on
both bodice and skirt, should test the effect
seated as well as standing.
The sleeves must on no account be made
over high or broad, and women with short
necks should be specially careful on this
point For tea gowns the long pendant
sleeves are desirable. In nantes long
sides prove to be a great help to short, stout
figures.
With hats and bonnets much must be left
to the individual. Probably it will be APP
parent that it is advisable to disguise the
nape of the neck and the lines which come
down beneath the chin. This viii make IL
necessary for bonnet to be continued low
down in the neck. and strings made of black
lace or chiffon should be tied beneath the
chin. L is only quite old ladies who will
reconcile themselves to wearing strings to