The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17
THE WOMAN OF FASHION
THE OLD-TIME CHRISTUAs FEVER
MAS 4BATED CONSIDERABLY.
Common sense to BE Employed-Dress
Gowning of Christmas shoppers.
Copyright for the Times. lsss1

genuine Christmas DuzZ IS IN the air.
That period Of delightful suspense, so
dear to the children, is at hand. Every
body is busy buying presents. 1t is
easier TO buy them this year, 1t would
seem. For fortnight or more ago, the
shops put on an especially inviting look;
and those VINO entered in search Of gifts
found the counters laid out with fresh,
pretty little trihes that were almost ir-
+ resistable. They say that this year more
economy will be practiced: that there
+ Will be less expenditure Of lucre, and much
more of loving thought. This would
account for the multiplicity Of these
small things. and ii would also bring
great comfort 10 those thoughtful souls
who are really anxious to remember all
| their dear friends and acquaintance, but
whose purses refuse to cooperate I'm the
work Of love. So many lists Of suitable
| presents have already appeared i'm print.
! besides the catalogues of the great shops
themselves. that l shall refrain from
| appending any long array Of names.
| only let me say that. If you are clever
! and def with your fingers and have any
originality, you will no doubt be able TO
manufacture much more acceptable gifts
for your friends, than any purchased
article; and the thought and time be-
slowed upon their preparation will be
far more gratifying than the gifts them
selves. If you do purchase, however try
to establish a harmony between the
recipient and the gift Don't present the
handsome scarf which you bought only
because IL was such a bargain. to the
woman whose house is crowded with them
already; nor an elaborate silver pin trav
10 the girl that hasn't been able to afford
a cover for her bureau: nor an elegant
gold per TO the man who will not write
with anything but HIS old stub under any
circumstances If you can make vour
presents useful lu1uries, they are likely
10 be more acceptable than those that
look so pretty on bureau or table: but
are always, nevertheless. i'm the way.
The dress lengths, both in wool and cot
ton goods. which are in all Of the shops,
make sensible gifts; and they are coming
more into fashion every day One gen
orally includes Innings and trimmings as
well,-white embroidery with the cam
brics, and velvet bands or braid with the
wooden lengths. But II your acquaintance
is too slight TO warrant a useful article.
a bit Of china, no matter how small so
long as il is genuine. or an attractive
etching. will never fail TO give pleasure
For your literary friends you need never
be at a loss to provide a suitable gift
Books in neat, sensible bindings, give
real pleasure
This morning everybody was busily
buying. The clear, crisp air seemed fun
Of pleasant suggestions: and the shoppers
seemed gentler and kindlier than usual
intent as they were upon their errands
Of thoughtfulness. I noticed a great
number OF the short. fur jackets that
We're cut off just ~ the waist. and worn
with plain heavy skirts. They
made admirable shopping costumes, and
were hghtened a little by the softer
sleeves that were inserted. A red-brown
skirt had one of these jackets of seal,
and red-brOwn sleeves Of MORE. Another
was an astrachan. worn with a neat
black skirt. and with black velveteen
sleeves Another rather sensible cos
tune was a cloak that fell to the feet.
made Of a heavy dress goods OF mixed
terra-cotta shades. II had a double-box
plat back. and a plain front: a single
cape OF green velvet. edged with a sable
band and green velvet sleeves.
one bright woman passed in a coat
that was Enthusiastically but cleverly re-
modelled The scant back had been cut
up I'm three places. and wide VS. OF
black MORE had been inserted, so that
n pretty and full effect was given to II.
4 full MORE cape had also been added.
There We're some ludlcrous attempts at
making last years garments look sty-
lish. One woman had opened her sleeves
at the to- and inserted an epaulette of
astrachan. The coat was otherwise
severely plain. Another had MORE |
sleeves OF correct shape put In a plain, |
short Jacket Of scant skirt and plain |
collar \ brown costume had been fresh /
ened by a narrow Y Of 1strachan. run |
ming from neck to waist, by MORE sleeves
and bodice rLfle I'm black. In fact | was
surprised at the quantity Of MORE that
was I'm the streets to-day. II is certain
~ particularly handsome Joined to as
trachan or the softer lamb. ono sirl
suggested a land of perpetual snow,
clad IN her long high collared garment
OF gray krimmer; she wore fiat. plain
tam o-shanter. of the fur. as well. \
very tall blonde passed, clad in a three
quarter length mink / looked at her for
a second in establishment for the shin
Ing bands IF her hair were visible 10th
al the side and top Of her head. Had
her hat blown off. I wondered? Then /
noticed a little rim far back on her
mead: and locking after her as she passed.
saw that the rim belonged 10 a queer
title braided bonnet that fitted closely
20 the back Of her head. Two sleeF Is
attracted my attention. one striped
'N---'~~ ---.-I '~--r 90 qiro 80 '''~
vide and the MORE narrow; the other.
he thinest bands Of astrachan running.
ilant'ngly, round a black satin founda-
lcn. l.. CIose rows.
Two dainty dresses fresh from Paris
Indicate that the tide is turning more and
more I'm favor Of the tunic. the drape.
he skirt with gOdet plaits. Women viii
lot give up their comfortable skirts that
IL so easily over hips and give such
maple breadth at the feet, without pro-
est. But the draped skirts that has
hus far appeared shows no signs OF
tightening and drawing back. as did the
ldrt OF few years ago. We have
rown so accustomed TO the width that
dmits OF a free, steady walk. that the
nincing gait would be too irksome 10 be
ssumed again. And although the help
assness so inseparable from the 1880 was
onned, as a garment. for the nonce,
nethinks the true girl will never sub
nit TO shortening her easy step 10 the
ainfully small and insipid one.