Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-25
SEASONS KEYNOTE.
EXTREME POPULARITY OF THE ETOM
JACKET ANO eTON SUIT.
How They Can he Converted Into Yacht
Ing Gowps-Phenomena Pressatsd by
French Bathing Dresses.

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dtspatch.l
New YoRK, June A.-It is astonishing to
witness tho number of phsses through
which can be carried a favorite idea in
dress when the designers set their wits to
work. Through every variety OF material.
with every diversity of elaboration and
every eccentricity of form is borne, tho
leading conception which comes thus 10 DO
regarded as the seasons keynote. Remarks
which have been called forth by the ex-
treme popularity of tho Eton jacket and the
Eton suit. Positively, one may include IN
ones entire wardrobe no other form or
mode OF dress aud still be seasonably.
suitably and fashionably attired through
out; yes. and without monotony. 1he
innocent little black coat that is the
progenitor of this much-followed style
would certainly fail to recognize itself II
its most recent manifestations.
BLUE Or GOLD BBAIDISd.
They are making some especially neat
Eton suits in canvas cloth and IN duck.
These make appropriate yachting gowns.
1t il only necessary for little blue or gold
bralding TO be added. with II couple of
crossed anchors on the skirt and stars on
the jacket. For We are nowadays by no
means rigidly adherent TO nautical prcju-
dices in our sea-going raiment.
Serge EtOn suits are IN endless variety.
Here are two or three of the prominent
ideas: One suit was in buh hopsacking.
The Eton was cut with short slashed capeS
over the shoulders. and these were lined
throughout, as was the jacket itself, with
white silk. Underneath the jacket was
worn blue shirt-walst and white pique
waistcoat, fastened with pearl but
tons. The skirt had single ruflo
of white silk near the bottom. A
white serge Eton WAS made with
! immense revers of bright-red surah. There
was no vest beneath, but only red surah
shirt, striped with white. The skirt was
rather full but entirely plain. An Eton
! tennis suit was brown. and-white striped
| French flannel of light and charming
quality. The silk shir. matched the irock
/ in colors. but about the waist vas drawn
| red silk sash that added the bright
! touch of color which seems essential TO
! the modern outing dress.
MORE FORMAL COSTUMES.
But the Eton is by no means restricted
| TO these outing trocks. Some much more
| formal costumes exhibit the prevailing
! idea A pretty creation intended for
| garden party is in hellOtrope orepon the
| Eton Jacket is in cream peau dc s0te, with
reyers faced with heliotrope silk. Tho
sleeves are simply big pufs of the hello
| trope crepOn, with n fail OF lace about the
elbows. the sleeves being supplemented
with long silk gloves in the prevail
| ing shade Underneath there is
| full gathered vest of cream Chiffon,
enclosed by girdle of heliotrope
and cream passementerie. The skirt
| of the crepon is enclrcled by two ruffies or
| cream pedu de s0ie and ends III u circular
! frill headed by "a third ruflie. 10 this
pretty toilet were added big hat OF
straw, encircled by lace scarf, whose end
| was brought very gracefully about the
| neck and over one shoulder. a coronet or
American Beauty roses trims the hat. Be
low are shoes of white suede toxed with
white patent leather, and hehotrope white
stockings.
| PAD BIZARRE.
| French bathing dresses follow the fash
| ions of the hour by presenting the phc-
nomena of Berthas bretelles. and pulled
a.eeves. Many of them are very pretty,
| but lust little too bizarre ard theatrical.
| Our own simple styles, III serge or ilannel.
are IN far better taste, especially since-at
! least, at fashionable watering-places-the
| disagreeable founders of the old-tashIoned
"meal-sack" mas been altogether discarded.
It's place Is taken by the short-tiiner whose
! narrow skirt lust reaches the knee; tho
knickerbockers and the long bathing
| hose. whose cork soles obvlate the Eeces-
sitv for sandals. This suit III quite sum
ciently decorOus except when undue At
tention ia drawn 10 1t by conspicuous
co.orings and gGudy contrasts. IL w!H
always be the case that on every beach u
few women will make the bathing hour
tho special occasion for an unusual dis
play Of their personal charms. But they
are on our American beaches decidedly
the exceptions TO general rule OF good
taste and modesty.
PERFECT SIMPLICITY.
! Summer millinery ID distingulshed tor
its perfect simplicity. Elaborate effects
are not sought. One effective little sea-
side hat lately noted was a Hat straw shape
covered with tuungs of white chiffon,
mingled with the same material IN pale
pink and absolutely without additional
trimming. Tho Leghorns and Iuscans
are considered sufficiently finished by Q
knot of lace and cluster of roses or field
flowers and the sailor shapes have, OF
| course. mere bands of broad satin ribbon.
Every one has race dross" IN her
summer wardrobe this year, even although
she never Was near track. The national
passion makes itself felt even IN matters
| of the toilet
The blouse has been transplanted from
yachting dress to the costume worn on
the tennis field.
OTHER FASHIONS.
The Watteau tea -gown-one worn during
the evening and late afternoon IN town
will not be out of place on the piazza OF
tie resort hotel during the daytime.
The stylish parasol, no matter with what
costume 1t is united, is Of white silk.
trimmed, and often inserted with white
Brussels lace.
Sword.hilt ornaments have such vogue
that fashionable women have already dis
| carded the too popular design.
The elbow-sleeye ls feature of almost
every variety of summer dress. But the
| shoulder puff remains with us.
The lace Bertha IA gradually being re!e-
| gated 10 young girls who arc not as vet
| beyond the nondescript period OF miss
hood They seem especially appropriate
ID this age.
These hot June days the very idea Of
outer wrapping is appalling, but for con-
ventionalIty's sake II - necessary TO wrap
on certain occasions. The yoked cape
altogether OF black lace is the garment
worn.
Feminine Independence.
| fyOpup.l