The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-01

orocaoeS, iuA skirts, pu1ied sleeves,
small waists, high heels and all
fear. The novelties imported here In ball
| gowns creep into thin summer dresses,
| and unless rigid English styles prevail
| once again exclusively, finally affect the
street gowns. It is hardly probable that
| the invasion will show any. very pro-
no1ncsd result till fall and the summer
| girl will still faunt the long swaying skirt
! of the winter girl, but with all her ruffies,
| puts and long waist elaborated. She will
bring our great gTeat-grandmother' styles
| out in sprigged silks and muslins, and by
next winter we shall look more like our be-
powdered ancestors than ever, and
there Is no telling where it will
the small and long waists will continue
and it il not the fault entirely Of society
women either. The dressmakers seem
leagued together to prolong its existence
and. no matter how emphatically woman
| protests. it is almost impossible TO find .
dressmaker who viii not insist on making
evening gowns from one to three inches
smaller about the waist than walking
dresses. They say but all women lace in
the evening" and, no matter what woman
says, when gown is sent home the dress
maker has had her way. If dress reform
u to be successful it should first convert
the dressmakers."
The gowns Of Mrs. w. D. Owen, wife Of
the representative from Indiana, are char
acterized by dainty grace that commands
sincere admiration. Whatever it il, visit
ing, reception, street or ball costume, the
purest and most refined suggestions are
illustrated in the composition Of it. Mrs.
Owen believes firmly In the encourage
ment Of American talent, and commits the
design Of her COSTUMES to Detroit artist.
In addition. she Is in constant correspond
ence with one Of the highest authorities
woman who makes study Of the posi-
bilities and probabilities Of the coming
season and the evolution of styles.
Mrs. Owen said: 81 earnestly advocate
that grace in dress which il only obtain
able through the strict Observance Of the
fundamental principles Of health. Loose
fronts, draped fronts, moderate amount
ais are most in accordance with my taste.
But realize that within the coming sum-
mer and winter struggle for supremacy
is to take place between such styles and
those of the brocade regime with its un-
healthful train of ideas. Brocade and
lend themselves with such i'll grace to drap-
ing and looping that they are un-
becoming to all save few.
have recently been advised by my London
correspondent that the soft clinging ma
terials are bound to win in the end and to
remain true to them. They will be worn
almost exclusively during the summer with
foot decorations Of pufiings, ruchings and
rufhing Of the goods and lace. Art dresses,
l know, must hold over because so many
women find them too becoming to relin-
quish. am one of those who believe that
the majority Of women will wear most
waists short, or secure a long effect by
e ns .E the t bs Or erds '0nTRR ens
can be little question but that
sleeves pulled above the elbow and
close to the hand will be the favorites.
Plain skirts will have an increased fullness
in the back and one under skirt will be
worn with such dresses. That does not
look much like hoops, does it? Travelling
dresses will still be plain, and suppose q
French touch win be added to the English
cut in the shape of the skirt attached by
hip seams to the basques."
MRS. SENATOR DAVIS IDEAS.
The hostess at recent tea appeared in .
Greek gown of palest shell pink brocaded
plush, which attracted endless notice and
was admired by every lover Of art gowns.
It was simplicity itself and, to tell the
truth, consisted of four straight breadths
Of plush stitched together and then draped
on the statuesque form of the wearer The
designer and owner was Mrs. Senator
Davis, of Minnesota, whose gowns are all
noted for their faithfulness to the founda-
ton principles of health. Not only was
this one gown of Mrs. Davis design, but
she originates and moreover cuts al Of her
dresses and trims her own hats. She also
has opinions which are held most dear, and,
best of all, possesses force of character to
put then into operation. She said: 81
shall do everything in my power to COM
bat the invasion of exaggerated French
styles. I like the present modes, and be-
lieve that the long lines have long life
ahead Of them. They will continue
throughout the summer, although the
lines must be somewhat broken by the
foot trimmings. Princess gowns are going
to be greater favorites than ever. / do
like pulled sleeves, and am glad to see
they will finger with rs. AS to waists /
hope women will continue to grow more
long aud slender. Tight. high-heeled
shoes go with the powder and patch
age, and no woman can be healthy and
good-natured in tight shoes. l never
wear tight shoes, and for that
reason am able to undergo
to receive from 2 till 10 without feeling q
particle of fatigue. I shall certainly re-
sist any such enormities as seem to men,
ace us now. l am of the same opinion as
many others, that the summer will see
mainly q repetition of the past three
months. Small hats, hope, have nearly
run their race, and at all events large ones
will have their way during the summer.
The small hat has been very unbecominp
to women with large faces. see it is pre-
dicted that black will hold no place in the
summer wardrobe, but it is universally be-
coming, and is so general favorite that
doubt If it can be successfully abolished in
one or even two seasons. But with the
present variety of shades, no one who
studies them carefully need lack for a color
that shall be quite as becoming as black"
MRS. REPRESENTATIVES, FLOWER. ON THE IN
MODEST PULLBAcK.
Mrs. Flower, wife of Representative
Flower. of New York, appears in toilettes
that are considered marvels of elegance
They are creations of Connolly, tempered
by Mrs. Flowers own convictions of what
is most in accordance with her STYLE. but.
whatever it is. the essence of the latest
ideas characterize it. Mrs Flower is not
an ardent admlrer of very plain and scant
| skirts, and has a reason for it. ssThey ara
immodest," said she, particularly 40 in
windy weather. While moderate amount
of severity in cut is very commendable.
| the way in which some of the
skirts are robbed of cloth in the
| front breadths is a pity. / have inst
received q dress which think combines
the idaa which fbn hos$ l~n...I -