The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-21
THE WOMEN OF FASHION
THE SUBJECT OF CHICAGO GOWNS
CONSIDERED.
Three Suggestions for an All Round Cos
tume-Sleeves "de Ceremonie."
Spring Costumes in Gray.

'What shall 1 wear TO Chicago?" asked
1 Of the dressmaker. Il shall not carry
a single thing besides one small bag; but
you must guarantee TO produce gown
that will be neat and suitable on the
train; that will look fresh and sDotless
when I arrive at the Fair gates; that VIII
be perfectly proper in which TO call upon
my friends-in short, a gown that Will
never be out Of keeping, no matter where
1 may wish to go, short Of a dress AFFAIR
'Well," said the dressmaker, thought
fully sucking her pencil stub, what you
need is a black serge Of a very fine
quality. Your skirt will need TO be plain
except for few rows of stitching, which
you may have across the bottom. IL must
be made UP with a short Eton jacket,
and must be accompanied with dozen or
so fancy silk waists. Have one or two
black. or black speckled with white, three
or four pretty plaids, and three 'or four
light. dainty-colored ones. These, with
full belts, and with gloves TO match the
several waists, will make for you as
complete an outfit as you could desire.
The waists will occupy scarcely any room
I'm your bag, and will be so different IN
color and material that change from
one 10 another will be quite satisfactory
as an entire change Of costume
thanked the lady and departed
Half an hour later found me propound-
ing the self-same question 10 anotner
maker of gowns. Her reply was quick
and decisive, given without moment
hesitation. Some one had evidently been
there before me seeking similar intorma-
ton.
Hop sacking. gray-exactly dust-color-
three diagonal bands Of satin on the SKIRT
a tght-httng jacket bodice, turning BACK
I'm large revers over sleeve puifs or satin'
20 give a dressy appearance; small hneh
shirt fronts at the neck, which can De
changed twice a day. If the dust Of Chi
cago renders IT necessary. For nice occa-
sions you may have a few dalnIier
fronts"
The third and last dressmaker that l
tried was I'm favor Of an entire dark-blue
costume. gloves, hat, veil, bodice, ct al
She said / would never grow tired or IL,
and that il would stand all sorts or
roughing.
am now trying 10 decide on one Of
the suggestions, and am wishing tnat l
he'd been satisfied with the advice Of but
one dressmaker friend. You, my fair
reader. may possess the faculty Of imme-
date decision and ability 10 make up
your mind. II so. ] cheerfully place the
suggestion at your disposal.
Although skirt trimmings promise 10
become simpler, and already display more
simplicity than of yore, the sleeve grows
IN eccentricity. A new sleeve "de cere-
% c1QaWn of gathered
rnoUsssIiue de sOie or thin silk banded
Mainly by narrow ribbon that ties In
small bow. The over-sleeve is made OF
vide lace. caught I'm just above the elbow
bv n ribbon band, tied. At the shoulder
other and narrower lace, falling each slue
of the puff in graceful jabot, Is caught IN
a puff. ..,-..-
Anothtr. FOR the same ceremonlous
nurpose. has an hndersleeVe trimmed
with four diagonal rows or lace inser-
tion: above, a small full pun OF beautl-
ful point Orlando IS gathered just
over the elbow, and surmounting this
is a soft drapery of peau de sole, con-
fined with a pearl buckle.
one of black lace IS gathered I'm at
the elbow, forming a slight upper pun;
another puff IS made below by three
rows OF shirring which go around the
CUM. NdllOM AAIUAAA - 4 III w f"A+A
the meshes Of the lace, and four ribbon
choux are added, two at the shoulder,
one at elbow, and the other above the
stirring at the waist.
Now that almost all Of the big foreign
ships have left our shores, we think,
with a little sigh, Of how much hubbub
and pleasant excitement they created,
even in this great metropolis. The Blake
received more than her shore or atten-
ton, from femininity, at least. What
pretty toilets turned out on the last sun
day Of her stay here. Riverside was fun
Of them, and as they stood on a little
mound opposite the great Blake, / noticed
how many gray toilets there were among
them. The gray was all OF the delicate
shade with the delicacy enhanced by the
trimming One maiden, sitting languidly
on a bench, had a deep white lace ruiiie
on her spreading skirt, and white lace
puffs over her sleeves. Then she wore
a lace collarette, stiffened beneath, 50
that il stood out over her shoulders. Run