The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-24
BITS OF FASHION.

India silk and crepe gowns are mad less
severe than those of cloth, the back being
sometimes slightly raised in bouffanG fash
ION, or laid in irregular plaits, which form
a graceful cascade.
Thistles and large burr-like blossoms are
of nature, as we'll as IN variations on nat
ure which would astonish the botanist. but
look very well with lace and ribbons.
The berthe is a favorite bodice garniture.
and Is worn with the fashionable yoke a
great deal, in which the latter should not
be mado very deep. The berthe and yoke
are suitable only for slender, willowy
forms.
Pongee silks are desirable because they
are light and cool. hut they show every
moist spot that touches them. even to g
faln-drop. They are warranted to wash"
which 10 true to q degree: they will wash,
but even with the greatest care they come
out of the crucible q tawny. ugly, tanbark
brown.
The Importation of shot.silk parasols is
very large this season. These and those
OF figured. changeable silk. simply finished
with gathered pinked friils OF the same.
or with tape fringe. will be generally car
ried, except for dress occasions, when
those of chiffon and other fancy materials
will be used.
The highly fashionable silk petticoats.
which make such n pleasant swish as their
wearers walk about. are now made of
of taffeta and other silks of every pattern
and color. and they have so crowded the
market that their former prices have been
greatly reduced Less is now seen of row
upon row of tiny scallOped frills, and the
shot-silk skirts ape made with one very
deep iOunce rather closely gathered.
There is one golden rule for women who
wish to be always attired in the latest
fashion, who wish TO be we'll dressed at all
times. and yet with economy and taste.
This consists in carefully avoiding the pur-
chnse of that which is not really needed.
and limiting the number of dresses in wear
at one time to the absolutely necessary.
To wear them out while they are in fash.
ion, and not hang them up for occasional
events.
The skirts of evening dresses which are
passe are often made into very pretty Petit
coats. and are useful to wear beneath light
summer dresses. They are sometimes trim
med with narrow or wide utfies of fine open
embroidery. Black petticoats are In the
minority as regards fashion. but when q
black gown is lifted there appear bright
red or yellow fOunced or rutfted petticOats.
Contrasts prevail IN this petticOat caprice.
which gives some license for the train out
of doors
Blouse corsages of all kinds will he worn
extensively, and not least among them the
Russian blouse, whose distinguishing feat
IRE is its simplicity. 1t fastens OH the side.
often lnvisibly, Is without o yoke. gathered
more or less at the neck and belted IN ut the
waist. Although maze sometimes TO reach
almOst to the knee. the most graceful and
becoming ones extend only about four to
SIX or eight inches below the belt. Laces
black, cream and amber-are much used
for blouses. and It IS In lace that the Rus
sian blouse is destined TO play its most IN
pOrtant part.
At the present time one of the most i'm
pOrtant features of q costume lies in the
sleeve. 1t accentuates the style of a gar
Inent. and an ill-ittinR. ungaInly one, Will
ruin the whole effect Of a costume which
otherwise Is every way attractive. The
sleeves for the warm season display fanci-
full shapes. and are slashed. putfed and
gathered in n variety of styles. One of
the most popular forms Is the sleeve that
Ia tight to the elbow with a wrinkied and
pushed-up effect. Another. also liked much.
consists OF a snug lower part from the
wrist To the elbow. and a wide upper part.
the sleeve below the elbow often being of
velvet. The sleeves of silk costumes often
have deep frills of lace which fall from
the shoulder over the elbow.