The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-27
FASHIONABLE CLOAK AND COSTUME.

bodices have straps of velvet Or ribbon
passing over the shoulder we'll to the
front. The "drooping sleeve" has not
much in its favor, unless you have
very fine pair of shoulders. Its effect.
as will be seen, is to lengthen the
shoulder effect by showing the upper
arm, and to broaden one across the
bust by making the puff widen out at
the elbow. This puff in some of the
very latest sleeves is three yards
around. This sleeve, on woman who
could wear sackcloth and grace it, will,
of course, make stylish appearance;
but on a woman who gets her ideas of
what Is stylish from the magazines of
her modiste, and makes no effort at
adaptation, this sleeve will look like
the mischief, till we get used to it.
Crepon is the gown goods of the
present moment, and unless there is a
rapid change in sentiment it will be
worn all the spring. 1t comes in wool,
silk and cotton. It costs a fortune
for the finest, and few cents for the
cheapest, and it all has singularly
distinguished air. They come in plain
and fancy weaves, in colors and in
plain black.
For spring tailor-made gowns for
travelling and street gowns canvas and
basket cloth effects in lightweight
wools will be worn. They will be
strong rivals of English serge, but
will probably have to end by dividing
favor with the serges, since nothing
more durable for all-around purposes
was ever invented. The serges come
with silk stitch shot over them in
contrasting color, which is q very
pretty novelty. All the spring ma
terials are in.light shades, green and
brown with red being the favorite
colors. Silk-warp henrietta will be
worn for house gowns and more cere-
monious wear outdoors. 1t will be
combined with silk or satin, and the
stylish garniture will be passemen.
terie. Mohairs and fancy poplins will
be worn more this season than for
some time past.
Many of the newer designs show
simulated overskirt, but the over.
skirt itself is only suggestion. The
favorite skirt is perfectly plain, haring
at the bottom, smoothly fitted around
the hips, and just escaping the floor
in that jaunty French fashion. It is
worn with a bodice of some fancy
material. Bodices will continue to be
the medium of any frenzy in fancy
that their wearer may chance to dream
about. They are rich, gaudy, giddy.
Some of them are elegant. To wear
with the skirt over these bodices, the
Eton jacket of the same material as
the skirt will hold its own all the
spring and summer. For dressy wear
the Eton jacket will be fashioned of
lace and passementerie.
The fiat Dutch bonnet is hideous,
but it is here. 1t looks like pan
cake on spree. 1t squats down OH
the head behind, just above the knot
of hair, and suddenly bulges out an
the sides in rosettes or bows or arti-
fetal flowers. and sprouts up in front
in a surprising and very dlsconcerting
manner. Another phase of it is q
gigantic bow with rows of immense
half-blown roses along, back of and
above the ears. There is nothing else
Of it worth mentioning. One of the
spring shapes in walking hat is rather
chic. 1t has rosette right in front
and row of loops dropping a little
over the brim above with rosette of
velvet above each ear.