The Washington times., 1894-11-11
ETIQUETTE OF DRESS.
How Every Woman Can So Rsgu1ate HsC
Various Costumes So as Always TO
Be Correctly Dressed.


"What are yon going TO wear2"
Oh, that perple1ing query that treads OF
the heels of every invitation
''Whatsver you wear you'll wish yoJ
hadn't said gay little cosmopolitan just
home from long visit in the smart circles OF
London society, in answer to this same quess
tion a few days ago. Then she went on tt
say: Anywhere else but in this country an
invitat on for particular time in the day
breakfast luncheon. dinner. or ball, or what.
ever it may be, makes de riguer a eertaiS
prescribed toilet But herel If YOU drsss
even for a dinner-that most formal of ali sO4
cial functions-the chances are that you viii
be the only woman in q decOllete frOek- And
as for a theater party. the safest way is 70 q
in an opera rig. and then put on q mackiEtOsh
and goIoshes so that you can keep both ex.
tremes of the dress OF the other women IL
countenance."
But this pert young thing eIaggesstes, o.
course.
It's true as preaching that our social life IN
the large cities Is as yet so unstable that there
are no fixed formulas vigorously enforced
with regard to dress for special occasions.
And Flora McFhmsy? She is bidden 70 Q
"breakiast,' - shall we say? Or a luncheon3
So far as dress Is concerned they were iden,
teal. Or TO q day wedding? Ditto as tt
dress.
And this should be handsome high-neckeS
and sleeved dress with either bonnet or
hat Of equally smart appearance, and gloves
Note bene- Flora keeps that fetching head
gear on from the time she leaves her mirrOI
till she gets back 10 it again. If the eatins
part OF the function is dOGe sitting at tabs
she takes OF her gloves after she sits down
Otherwise she keeps them on all the time
The dress NAV be light, it better be Of silk Of
have enough about il to give a very dressy ap-
pearance. and lace and all other rich stUfft
are au fait so long as they are adaptable to
the high bodice. The fashionable sleeve now
ends oftenest at the elbow, but unless ones
forearm is very good looking ungloved Gt'S
/ bad form TO take of the hand OF the glove only
and tuck it in the wrist bett. have hand
| some long sleeve. Puckered chilOn extend.
/ ing to a point on the wrist is very becoming,
and not always IN the soup as fall OF lact
/ has penchant for being.
! II Flora is asked 70 assist the hostess or az
afternoon reception she can wear gown bal
/ low in the neck, and it may be as partytet
in tint and texture as she pleases, and shi
must dress her hair nattily. and tuck an o.
nament of ribbon or Of gold she'll therein.
4 But unless she assists" she must wear {
bonnet or hat, and calling toilet, less dressl
I than for luncheon, preferably q stylish
cloth gown with effective trimming and fault
less 1T and finish.
A lady should not wear wrap into draw
! ing-room on any other occasion than whef
making a short call, never at an affair iof
which cards have been sent out The girls whd
assist the hostess about the tea table should
not wear gloves unless they live beyond the
reach OF manicures. All the women guesti
wear their gloves with as much precision az
tksir bonnets
For a dinner Flora should assume low
neeked gown, and a pretty one. II 1t Is a
formal function she will take her gloves on at
the table, if not she will leave them IN the
dressing-room. There are women still who
wear bonnets or hats at dinners. but the
names are written large in the debit ledger Ol
polite society.
For any sort of an evening party In a pri-
vat. house the rule Is Invariably party gown
and uncovered head. and gloves Flora when
in doubt as to what the others are going to DC
will. nevertheless, herself dress correctly j
she is wise. There is always a happy medium
between the extremes OF right and wronl
dress, but draw the line between white chit
fon and pretty pale silk, if afraid Of over
dressing Do not wear headgear in the even
ing.
Never? Well, hardly ever