The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26
THE WOMAN OF FASHION
STRIKING PICTURES OF COMING
EASTER G1RB.
How il VIII Differ From the Parades
That Have Gone Before-All the Prep
arations Now Being Made.

The Easter parade this year will be
of more intense interest TO womankind
than it has been for years. No sooner
does a woman meet her dearest friend
or most hated rival than she Immediately
rUshes UP to her and whispers. How
are you having your new gown nader
There has never been anything like IT
before-this absorbing question of how
many yards around to make the Easter
gown. My drcssmaker would insist
upon it," says one in a great fiutter.
"and though l know l shall never dare
to wear it, she has put the loveliest. big
gest flare you ever saw on my dress.
She says j would feel so old-fashioned
on Easter, if it was the least bit smaller.
anG reduce 1t she would not. Won't
you come over. girls. and see what you
think of itY' SO over the girls flock,
and on the dress goes, amid cries and
EXPLANATIONS of establishment and adj
miratiOn.
Alas Where is now the woman who
vowed that, no matter what came she
would never, never take to crinoline?
Would you find her? Just peep into that
room and see a tall, majestic figure ar
rayed I'm a beautifully large. imposing
gown, standing. half abashed but all COM
PLEASANT, before a tall mirror. Her reso-
luton has gone TO the winds. and were
you to offer her now the most elegant
bell in the world, with soft droop and
fascinating cling. she would spurn your
offer on the instant. No; woman can
not be depended upon Stability she has
not. She is indeed like the wave Of the
sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
But 1t Is this very uncertainty that
makes the topic of Easter costume OF such
supreme interest. For did we know just
what our neghbOr would wear and were
we certain that her neighbor would aleo
be similarly clad, there would be not the
slightest. excitement i'm the thought OF
seeing all the pretty. new things
we know, however, that we can count
upon the appearance that day Of all the
known styles. periods and reigns, and
upon few that are not known, save IN
the realm Of dreams woman here and
there, with the courage Of her convic-
lions, will walk forth with unrufied air.
clad I'm gown that is Of the same width
top and bottom. She will walk by the
side Of woman who will occupy some
thing like two or three times as much
room, and there will be nothing like calm
In the demeanor Of the second woman
for she will rejoice In the fact that she
is superior in all points OF dress TO her
neighbor / am afraid a little OF the
Easter JOY may be crowded out OF some
womens hearts when they see something
particularly grand which they have not;
but let US hope that they will be generous
enough TO rejoice, on this day at least,
in the bright robes Of their sisters.
| shall tell you Of but two Easter cos
tunes to-day. They are both rather pre-
mature TOR this early spring. but both
very dainty and pretty. One is made Of
pale, tawny brown. the faintest shade
imaginable and Is dotted with a large
flower pattern. 1t is modestly crinolined.
and has two ruches shirred in the middle.
made OF thin crepe. one ruche is at the
edge Of the skirt the other fully half
way up. The ruche in the middle has an
immense velvet bow at the side, a bow
OF seven loops and no ends; the loops
are so long that they touch the lower
crepe ruche. Above this big bow is a
smaller one. more like a rosette, planted
for apparently no purpose, right below
the right hip. The bodice is very fussy.
There is first, below a high standing col
lar of pearl embroidery. a pointed yoke OF
fine passementerie. wrought in light deli
cate shades. Across this is drawn loose
folds OF crepe, crossing at the left side
and caught with another velvet bow.
Beneath is the tigbt-htting bodice beted
in by a pretty cameo belt. The sleeves
are not only soft puffs. but have an adj
ditOnal puff above hanging loosely.
The other gown is. If anything, more
unique. IL is made OF that light, new blue
shade and the skirt has three small
rufies at the feet. All around the skirt
are laid great leaves OF lace, starting
from the waist line about one inch wide,
widening az they descend. until they are
a goodly width when they reach the
lower edge. The lace is most beautiful,
fine and OF exquisite design. The lace APP
pears in the bodice as WELL widening up
from the waist line into smaller leaves,
which lie over the large yoke, made Of
very fine silk shirrings. These shirrings
are OF blue 10 match the gown. and over
each one is laid a row Of fine pearl trim
ming. The narrow belt is also pearl. The
sleeves are very wonderful; the shirrings
are so caught up that each division hangs
over in a small ruftie or loose puff, and
there are thirteen Of these little puffs on
each sleeve.
Want 10 hear about some more Easter