The Washington times., 1894-04-17
With Regard to
the Latest Gowns

Dress was never so fine an art as it is now,
and vet never was there time that a woman
had TO spend so little time and thought on her
attire. for everything seems to be planned out
for her and she finds that more care and bet
ter taste than ever have been put into the
fashions this season. and as result the styles
are remarkably pretty.
Quite in contrast to the prosaic character OF
the winter goods, this is going to be fancy
season, and all the colors are light, even IN
the heavier woods that are made up for the
earliest Spring wear.
New shades of brown will vie with those in
green for the lead in popularity and the light
shades in all eolors Will prevail. Mixed suit
ings are the correct thing for street gowns, as
are also the handsome covert cloths that
come in every conceivable shade of tan and
gray. There are corded suitings in tan, green,
and blue, with hair stripes of old rose, pink,
and blue. There are a variety of silk and
wool goods and even a greater number of
crepons and craped stuffs, which will have
great vogue the coming seasons.
As to the gown itself, after the material is
bought, the skirt shows a decided return to
the kilt box plated and accordion effects,
while draped tunics are also fashionable.
The only pronounced feature of the season
seem to be the overskirt and draperies, but
oyerskirts were worn little last season.
The most acceptable of the overskirts is the
model with long overskirt, raised slightly
OH one side to show just bit of the contrast
ing underdress.
Sleeves remain about the same. ample and
dropping, while some of the models show
sleeves very tight as far as the elbow.
Bodices are trimmed more than ever with
round berthas. flchus. and revers of same
color as the gown or of a contrasting color.
Many of the cloth waists are trimmed on the
epaulets and sleeves with narrow bands of
black velvet ribbon. Black watered silk will
be used for trimming the silk and wooden
fabrics. Lace is used lavishly and the deep
ivory tone is brighter than the cream and ecru
and more becoming to the ordinary run OF
compilations. Wide, soft sashes are pretty
fancy for the slender woman. The ends are
tied in long, dropping loop, falling low
down on the skirt.
Perpendicular trimmings such as cord and
bias bands, are placed on many of the new
skirts. Buttons are used a great deal Tor
trimming. Velvet ribbon trimmings are in
vogue again and appear on scores of the new
models in fiat bands and the fancy silk;
blouses are simply covered with rows OF it.
Skirt fiouncings of lace are headed with bands
OF jet. plated lisse. velvet ribbon on the
edge of the gown is cut in deep vandyke
points, which project over frill of lace. The
open guipure embroideries are leading styles
Tor general trimming III Dands, DorderS anu
edgings. Braids are all good in black for
trimming.
Ready-made suits on the tailor-made order
have taken the place of last years Eaton suit.
The skirts are quite plain, while the coats are
double breasted and fit tightly to the figure,
but they are finished so they can be worn
open on very warm days, in which case they
display the fancy waIstcoats which are so
much the fashion this Spring. These waist
coats are of black moire, satin, and colored
silks. but will be replaced later on by those of
duck and pique.
Shirts waists will be worn very much this
Summer with these suits.
street gown of blue homespun has cir
cular-shaped skirt, which is slightly lifted on
one side and reveals a petticoat of brown
trimmed with black military braid. The jacket
is one of the frock coat affairs. and is cut away
TO show vest of blue braided cloth; The
sleeves consist of double pulls with finish of
braid
walking costume OF the small checked
suiting in tan shade shows skirt not very
full finished at the foot with bias folds set on
at intervals, and finished with rosettes of en-
erald velvet. The full waist is crossed dag
onally with a soft twist of velvet, and finished
with rosettes of velvet on the shoulders.