The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-02
NEW GOWNS AND BONNETS
A Magnificent Display Of Charming
Effects Yesterday.
The New Styles Handsome and Narle-
gated-Bonnets and Hats OF Every
Conceivable shape and Style.

laUlng To malerlallIe on Ehster ounudy,
Old Sol shone his brightest yesterday and
bathed all nature in the golden beams in
his, effort at reconciliation. That
the effort was appreciated could
be inferred from the crowds of
gayly dressed people who thronged the
streets, people attired in the lavish gowns
and clothes prepared for the observance
OF Easter Sunday, but on account of the
incement weather of that day preserved
inviolate for yesterday.
It was one day i'm many, and both the
elements and nature seemed imbued with
the spirit of the occasion. The freshly
sprouting grass showed in banks of green,
the incipient buds of the trees seemed TO
swell beneath the benign rays
OF the sun, and the birds twittered
and burst into song in the vines and on
the housetops. Everyone was drawn from
within doors by the mild and balmy air,
and beautiful costumes mingled
on the streets in a grand galaxy
The spring gowns were fascinating
indeed. Each one differed from its neigh
Dor in make, but all combined the beauti-
ful light tints appropriate to the season.
The huge "puffs" upon which fashion
has set the seal OF approval ,predominated,
and here and there could be seen sleeves
truly regal in proportions. The natty
little shoulder capes were far in ex-
several of the new "frock" coats
with the huge fiaring skirts and snug
ly buttoned double-b breasted waists
attracted considerable attention. This
coat, by the way, u modified
form OF the male "Prince Albert"
and when donned by a young
woman of ample height the
effect is simply magnificent. In the
shoulder capes there was a struggle for
Lxtx
black or blue cloth and watered silk.
All these fabrics had numerous admirers,
and were about even in the race, but one
charming little effort in watered silk
of three half capes, i'm black
lined with the same material in white, the
edges OF the two upper capees and the deep
standing collar being trimmed with
narrow white lace, could easily have
taken the first prize. AS for skirts there
was the usual variety in colors and makes
from the elaborate draperies to the
plain plain simple ,I, straight street
once neat and remarkably stylish.
or the latter there was not profusion,
but the severe simplicity Of the garment
and its utter lack of trimming of any kind
to catch and hold dirt will put 1t into
popular favor at once. One of
the most noticeable features of
the glorious street pageant was
almost every instance the skirt came to an
abrupt ending at point about an
inch and half above the
ground. The dress did not touch
the ground in walking and consequently
was unsullied by dust and dirt from the
ago it was the height of style
TO wear skirts that dragged, but
thanks to a merciful interposition OF
sensible women fashion veered completely
around until now the fair sex can take
comfort in walking.
Then the hats and bonnets. What n
bewiidering variety there was. Different
in shapes, different in style, different in
materials, different in colors, different,
each from the other, il seemed
as il there was no limit TO
the ingenuity OF women. There were
little triiies OF a handful of lace
and flowers poised daintily on
coqucttish little heads, strangely
shaped hats OF felt trimmed fantas-
tically with ribbons and flowers, marvel
Gus creations OF brilliantly lined bows and
sprigs OF green vines, all apparently put
together without designs, yet ali set
ting forth by contrast the beauty
OF the face beneath. Surely such a varie-
gated collection Of head wear has never
before been seen on these streets. Ma
tural flowers there were In profusion,
but the hardy little violet easily led.
Little punches OF this delicious flower
adorned the lapel OF the spring coated
masculines, and larger punches nodded
from their abiding places beneath the
pretty capes.
The young man WAS gorgeous with new
clothes, the creases I'm his trousers sharply
defined and not a speck of dust
on bis razor-toed "patents." His
vest, i'm many instances white, ,peeped from
behind the long-iailed cutaway, and his>
white collar and "butterilyn tie of
black satin, reposed serenely around
he neck OF his fgncy shirt. Although in
the matter OF dress he is not allowed
quite SO good latitude as his sisters,
still it must be confessed that when
the young man of the period is fully "rig-
ged out" he presents a wholesome and
attractive appearance.
And thus the people passed and
rcpassed on the city streets
From early morning until evening the
gayly attired throng of promepaders
moved on without cessation. Whole fami-
lies We're out, the father wheeling
the little carriage containing the "youn-
gest" and the mother carefully guarding
the rest of the family brood. The
young man and his girl was
out i'm full force and even
those past the middle age seemed to grow
young again under the potent spell OF the
animated scene enacted before them