The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-22

any of the large stores that deal
in very nice materials. A lovely
pearl set, suitable for wearing over
any dark material, consisted Of .
solid network of beading extending
over the complete right side Of the basque.
1t terminated in . broad girdle, which was
composed of many rows Of pearl beads
strung in parallel lines ACROSS the front Of
the belt. The left side of the bodice was
adorned with several rows of pearl beads
looped from the shoulder, making huge
festoons which depended almost to the
bottom of the basque.
Really fashionable women do not under
take to dress thus showily in the street.
One may search the thoroughfares over
and yet fail to find q really elegant woman
among all those whose dress attracts atten-
ton.
The woman of refinement and taste
chooses some quiet, modest, yet substan-
tial material for the street gown and has it
fashioned by the very best tailor of her
list. Other and second-rate dressmakers
may be entrusted with fancy goods that
are to be made in q snowy manner, for
here, possibly, the faults in style may be
hidden in the intricacies of fiounces and
loopings. But street gown with the long
lines and nice finish requires the best skill
obtainable. Yet with all the modesty sug-
gested by refined taste, traces Of the showi-
ness of the season are seen upon the most
elegant of street dresses.
Suppose lady wishes to buy gown for
street use. It is to be tailor made and as
severely elegant as possible. First of all,
she is forced, if she buys the newest pat
terms, to get something with q bright cord
perhaps Of silver, bronze or gold-inter-
woven. Then the finish for the neck,
sleeves, bodice and skirt hem is of bright
tinsel. A quiet cording seems impossible
Thus, before she realizes it, the woman of
quiet fashion and elegant taste il adorned
in the same gaudy style which she has so
often condemned in others.
One must, indeed, shut ones eyes and
ollow blindly in the lead which Dame
Fashion dictates.
Black lace dresses are being recalled int
popularity. A year ago every woman,
young or old, who made any pretensions
to fashionable dressing numbered in her
wardrobe at least one net dress. For q sea-
son the net dress has been upon the wane,
but modistes announce that the spring
trade finds many of these gowns in the
shops and upon the counters, where they
are quickly measured off to admiring Gus
toners.
There is something about the soft, grace
full, clinging net that recommends itself to
the mind of womankind. There is kind
feel comfortably we'll clad, yet which does
not give her the sensation of being over
dressed. Nicely made, the black net dress
is suitable tor receptions either at home or
abroad, for calling wear, street promenade
and theater. 1t is seen at evening gather
ings and in the ballroom. At all of these
occasions it is entirely in place if properly
made, and is, perhaps, the most becoming
gown that can be worn.
A very pretty ball gown for q young
woman in second mourning is designed
from plain black net. In the openwork
meshes are run nine rows of narrow laven-
der satin ribbon. This forms a border
around the front and sides of the skirt.
] The back Of the skirt is Of black chiffon
demi-trained. The round-necked bodice is
treated in the same way with ribbon
shrinkage. The full half sleeves are gath
cred in at the elbow with ribbon. An
aigrette of lavender ribbons and gold sets
of the coiffures prettily. For street wear
the net may be threaded with black rib
bons or with gold or silver cordings.
Very large jeweled cord can now be
bought in exact imitation of gold beads.
1t is to be sewn around the edge of the
sleeves where the material falls over the
hands. Carefully put on, it has almost
the effect of gold bead bracelet. A chain
OF the same is added to the upper edge of
the collar to simulate bead necklace