St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-04
speeial Correspondence Of the Globe

Special Correspondence OF the Globe.
NEW YORK, Feb. al am still pur-
suing the subject of theater dress. 1t
seems as though the theater is the
place where, to put il vulgarly, women
get show. Certainly the stylish
woman can reap great benefit from
going to the theater, for it is on the
stage that the most recent modes are
seen.
l have been garrulous on the matter
of theater blouses and theater bodices,
and, although it is not exactly in my
province, have limited that small bon
nets are in better taste than the erec-
tons that the newspaper men have
waxed funny over until it is nearly nec-
essary that there should he a state law
to prevent the preparation of any more
jokes about it.
Now L am about TO speak about q
kind of handsome promenade jacket
that is so pretty that it may be worn to
the theater also. 1t is not too heavy,
and may be worn with comfort which
is not always a characteristic of a styl-
ish garment.
We can never invent garment with
more success than when we copy and
modify some garment which, in the
picturesque past" has been worn by
society damsels or dudes of that past
time. They would not have been worn
so long, remember. if they had not been
charming, and certainly not so gener-
ally If they had not been universally
becoming. Think what brief spell
our fashions last nowadays-the style
comes and goes almost like the wind. 1t
has as short duration as our loves. our
studies, our servants and our religious
fits.
And it is not entirely the fault of that
spirit of the age whom we blame so
much. 1t is partly accounted for by
our fashions not being pretty. They
will not compare, for beauty, to some
of the fashions of the past. Of course
we may rise superior to the crinoline
and the poke bonnet. and justly call
them monstrosities of the past. But
there have been many pretty fashions
left behind.
what shall call the matinee coat is
copied from a seventeenth century
coal. 1t should be made of the very
handsomest black velvet, or else of
some very delicate color such as april
cot, egg-shell blue, water green or
amber. 1t is cnt three-quarters length.
and round off at the neck. but is square
at the front of the skirt. 1t is an open
coat. and would not close to fasten. 1t
is full skirted-all the coats are that
now-and has flap pockets. 1t is
braided in bars across the
front, either in silver or gold.
Gold is the most recommended
by Redeem, as silver furnishes quickly.
Fastened in ut the side seams of this
coat is waistcoat of rich black MORE.
This is long, but not so long as the coat.
Down the front of this there is a jabot
of the MORE, tapering down to the
point where the waistcoat breaks away
like a cutaway coat.
The Fife" is also made of velvet,
and here Redfern has introduced a
straight back and loose front. The
loose front turns back with rich silk.
and a straight loose waistcoat is worn
inside. A large collar of some very
effective lace is worn with it, and there
Ere cuffs of the same. These smart and
stylish coats are the very latest thing
for the theater, and it will be ousting
the opera wrap out of the field. Be-
sides they are useful in another way as
we'll, for carriage wear.