Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-19
4 Chat About Fashions.

women nave been accused of dressing to
please the tastes of men, but either that is
false charge or they do not always IN
derstand that in the opinion of most men
simplicity is the greatest of all merits in
the art of dress. Men appreciate quite as
much as women do every detail of perfect
toilet, but they are not capable OF yielding to
the passing idea of a gown overturned or
pelrliIed,it does not appeal to their admin a
uoIl as does the well-built tailor gown.
Yet women cannot be guided entirely and
| always by simplicity, because when severe
slinpncity Is not the mode woman 8
CharinS 90 not seem TO be shown off to the
pest advantage in that style of dress 1t is
Always better to follow the fashion what
not losing sight of it, although if one is to
simplicity ~ SN Va
In returning to the styles of $50 il would
be Well If the bellies of today could be warn
ed IN time to save them from some of the
secen,triclties of that date tina. were ludic-
ana exorbitantly wide capes on the should
ers, the pulled and distended sleeves de-
oac Ss from a trim, neat effect, which
complne to- rob women of dignity Skirts
excessively wide are unwielly, ircoaveiI-
rent ana ungraceful, and further the ex-
! Irene ughtness that is in vogue for the
upper portion OF many skirts is decidedly
uhoecomlng and lacking in grace for any
woman who has reached an age hey ond
However. whether they BE- te,oming or
unbecoming. simple or elaborate, The pres
emf fashions will soon melt into otte,s
tM o,sas. when the thrifty 1850 de mes
Cousht handsome gown liz lasted them
Ior years That was a luxurious period,
ana dress occupied women's thoughts quite
far more slowly.
A rapid revolution in style has some adj
ttan.ases. III our pretty. becoming COM
fro ouaole' sensible things are snatched away
ttom US De1ore We have had time to enjoy
tnem thoroughly, our ugly attempts are en-
CURED oni as well. Among the latter are the
Soaa scuttle bonnets. which 1880 enthusiasts
nave attempted to revive. well-known
Iaris modiste has recently declared. most
e e.,i,I that persons of good style
tnreateningly for the autumn and winter
season Is the Spencer" a kind of long
pelisse, with tight-fitting body fastened by
ana deep cuffs. and long skirt gathered on
all around. Fancy the noble army of plumn
women arrayed In 'Spencers." May Worth
While hideous fashions sometimes are i'm
posed upon us by Paris edicts. it is always
possible p. SID IN any era of fashion. for woman
70 nnd graceful. becoming ways of gowning
herself If she will have the tndependenca to
consult her own face. figure and circum
stances instead Of following percipitately the
most prominent modes.
Natural Forms.
AT 'he present moment everything points
10 a return to natural forms High shout
ana the natural slope of the shoulder is
now seen again. The 'going-away' gown
maze by Redfern for a recent distinguish
60 prlue had a coat sleeve entirely free
IRON tne exaggeration even of pun
so As examples ua Of unexaggerated lovely
and from Redfern, designed to ref,Ita Tho
a aasetp mat wealthy women, when seen
days, seem to be wearing the highest fosa
Ions of the century, a plain. simple dress
OF pIue serge is worth mentioning 1t was
' L'aue Win short jacket and a pale yell
low batlste shirt embroidered In black
me hat that accompanied ii was of sun
purnt straw, trimmed with black ribhon
,o ounDurnt straw is high in favor many
gowns are crowned with hats made of it
one especially picturesque example. worn
WIN costume of cornf1ower-blue serge
Was Was sun purnt emp, trimmed with a large
A stylish white serge from Reborn has
three rows of graduated gold waved bra ID
q kind ar on me skirt while the Jacket
knl1e pockets. so called from their resem-
Diance TO the curved blade used for cheese
"a oe worn with this is hat in the new
anu Iashlonable color, toast-brown 1t is
rather large sailor shape with a good deal
OF brim IN brown fancy straw. and is trim
crown. and a few deep red cherries at the
PACK, Two or three Of them resting on the
The Swallow Dress is one OF tn. ,atast
novelties produced by a famous rnoJistc
me material is foulard, and is printed in
inherent colors. Some are in blue shades
WIN the swallows in white. some in cafe
au-iat tone with black swallows some are
tender pink. On the skirt the swallows are
arranged IN pairs. but on the bodice they
folds. oee"eeh
The mention Of swallows brings to mind
a Ifesh design for a diamond brooch-a
large ,htgg owl with outspread wings II with
TINS should be worn the decoration dis
played this summer by a celebrated ieWei-
er VINO evidently has Egyptian tastes the
owl might seem to have excellent reasons
Tor spreading his wings. This fearfuIIy
magniicent hair ornament consists of a
long; slender snake. entirely composed of
briilantS. The tail encircles the couture
TINS serpent of old Nile" nesting in the
fringe OF hair and forming the forehead
jewel In the head of the Cleopatra SER
pent is a large brilliant of extraordinary
size, and the eyes are emeralds.
SAPPHIRE