The Washington times., 1894-03-22
Something More About
Spring Habiliments

What shall we wear, and wherewithall
shall We be clothed? That is the question
every woman is asking herself, for these early
spring days make one think OF new clothes to
match the fine weather.
On looking around and over the shoppers
field we get pretty good idea of what IS to
be worn. When the coat is laid aside one
must have a cape or jacket to be in the swim
between seasons, and those Of black cloth or
watered silk and lace capes will be much
worn. I saw black cloth cape the other day
with a yoke effect and moire ribbon-trimmed
ruffie. 1t was stylish and new and a special
sale at s5. l should not have been surprised
if the price had been 80, it was so fetching.
That was at Perry's.
Shirt waists will be just as fashion,
able as ever this season. Their great
convenience and general becomingness COM
men dthem to all. They are made of percale
and chambray, wash silk or sGrah, and can
be had from SO cents to Sl.S5 for the first, and
from $3.50 up for the silk ones. The wash
silks are a real boon. They pay for the addi-
tion cost of the material in the extra comfort
and wear one gets out OF them With new
silk waist and good winter skirt gown there
is no special need of spring suit for Easter.
especially if one has cape or jacket to throw
Children's REFERS in red or blue broadcloth
can be had for Sl.50 to So, and can hardly
conceive why busy woman need spend much
time in making little girls dresses when such
pretty pink and blue checked ginghams can
be had for % cents-dresses suitable for chill
dren from one to three years OF age; and
there are also little gingham dresses with
yoke and embroidery for SO cents which are
nice enough for child OF four to wear
either at a picnic or to church. Then there
are others still a little nicer for 81. Nice
house wrappers in all the new styles, rulles
on the shoulders and pleated or tight backs,
in old hues and dark colors are just the
thing for housekeepers, and cheaper tnan one
can be made at home. These can be had in
all the stores for from 9S cents to S1.4S, while
new Spring wrappers of dimity lawn, which
Is dainty goods, in which almost any woman
would look well and take solid comfort on n
hot day, are in all styles from 80 up to IS.
For delicate women nothing could be nicer
than some of the pretty challie wrappers.
ranging in price from $3.50 to 50. All OF
these bargains can be found at Perry's.
When a new dress is once selected, the next
thing is: What shall il be trimmed with! One
can take a wide cnoice of garniture this year,
and for black, bands of white late insertion
will be used great deal, with u lace bertha. a
fall over the sleeves of the lace known rs
oriental point de Venice, which is so effective
and not so very expensive. 1t can be had at
40 cents, 80 cents, or up to Sl.5O. according TO
width.
l saw one of the most convenient little
things, which, If patented. must have made
pile of money for the inventor. They were
crush collars of MORE silk. well lined and all
ready TO baste on to any dress. Crush colors
are always getting out of order. and this is
just the thing. They are only 80 cents. and it
would cost much more TO make a new one for
ones self.
Some ladies never wear any color but black
in hosiery. / think it always pays TO buy
good hosiery. The black cotton. Isle thread,
or silk can be had from % cents to $3.50. ac-
cording to fineness. But for those who are
not set against colored stockings there are
good solid colors OF dark brown. three pairs
for quarter at Pierce's, which must be a
job lot. for they are such q bargain for the
money.
Now is the season for mark-downs in kid
gloves. All the stores have glove boxes. and
one must be a poor shopper indeed not TO
strike a bargain somewhere. Undressed kids
are cut the most, because glove kids
have the right of way for the time being, and
unless you wear elbow sleeves short-wristed
gloves of not over four buttons are the length
to wear. Dark shades of red and brown are
just as fashionable as ever, and nothing ever
looks more genteel than gray or heliotrope.
They are almost As good shades to have as
black. since their quiet tones harmonize with
SO many different colored gowns.
Real bargains in gloves can he picked up
anywhere from As cents to 9S cents. People
not in search of bargains can buy as they
choose. and do not need directing We are
not writing for them.
Colarets of crepe lisse and lace, with big
bows and low ends, are among the novelties
In the stores they will range in price from
$3.50 up to $40. but there are lots of ingenious
women who will buy a couple of yards of
crepe for 81 and one of lace for IS cents. and
make as fetching piece of neckwear as can
be had for the above price.
Women are buying spring dress goods,
and some of the shopkeepers say they
seldom have had so early season for spring
trade or one much better. People who have
fixed salaries are spending their money. not
lavishly but prudently. and never to better
advantage than now, when dress goods and
household stufIs of all sorts are so cheap.
great many ladies are buying material for
two wash silk gowns, and why not? when
they are but little more expensive than nicer !
qualities of ginghams and good enough to be |
worn anywhere. Prices of wash silks range !
from 80 to 75 cents and 81 per yard. Twelve |
or fourteen yards will make medium-sized |
woman pretty gown, which must be either |
double skirted one or a lace trimmed Then |
there are lovely figured chailies for cool even
ings, white or solid grounds of delicate tint. |
and delicate sprays of real flowers, such as |
rosebuds or violets scattered over them
Dark blue flannel will still be selected for |
travelling gowns. with jackets and shirt |
waists. 1t is really as cheap to buy that kind |
of suit ready-made and much more satisfac- !
tory. Reseda green is still favorile tint. and |
there are the shades, like old rose, renewing |
their youth and coming in again A cute |
little woman with an ounce of "gumption'' |
cannot fail to get up nice spring suite. for |
almost nothin, especially if she makes it her
self. And there are more women making |
English gowns for themselves this season |
than you might think by merely looking at
the gowns. The nice little woman always is
adaptable. and when Tom gets in tight |
place she just sets her mind to contriving how
she can keep things going just apparently |
as well as usual on half the outlay She