The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-15
AGITATING QUESTION,
PAST CBRfSTEAS RUSH 10 THE
MODESTO.
The Fashions In Waists. Gowns, Trim
mings-C.othes For the
Children.

aud has taken on at least one more name
esah year. Nevertheless, Christmas
will no sooner be over than there VIII
be another grand rush TO the modiste
and dressmaker similar 10 the swoop
that the summer girl made upon her
return to city civilization in October.
Those Louis XVI. waists did not get
fairly +tarted in that first onslaught,
and have only been coming on piece
meal during the autumn months. This
is more TO their advantage than other
wise. for so long as a style remains fash
ionable without becoming common IL is
the thing most TO be desired. IL VIII be
Merry d.ificun for the ordinary dress
maker TO initiate these waists, FOR tho
ordinary customer. because unless they
are made Of the finest of velvet they DO
not look like Louis XVI waists at all.
and the ordinary mortal cannot afford
velvet at $40 or $500 per yard for any
kind of waist But there are so many
extraordinary mortals these days that 1t
Is safe 10 predict that enough of those
waists will he worn that were fashionable
at the end of last century to insure their
regulating the gowns that grace the going
out Of our own century-perhaps until
the new one is ushered I'm. Who knows
but the 10th century girl may make
her debut in Marie Antoinette waist?
and IL We must look TO the future there
is our last leap year OF the century to
be considered. We must certainly look
our best then for II would be far more
humiliating 10 be refused than never 10
be asked which is the worst fate that
can overtaks us on other years. And IL
4 Louis waist would ensure us against
such a calamity there are plenty or girls
who would buy velvet at any price and
make up half a dozen Of the alluring
garments
An exquisite gown for evening belong
ing to young woman whose proposals
of marriage need not come from her
side has crimson velvet Louis waist
There is a vest of beaded net. The neck
Is very low In front. and on the shoulder
strands of duh beads only partially veil
the beautiful white skin. The skirt Is
trimmed around the bottom with velvet
and beading. OF course lace enters into
The composition OF this gown as IL does
into nearly every feminine garment that
n worn. II is white.
Black lace Is almost unknown in the
gowns worn this year. There Is just one
kind that Is admissible-that is indeed
very fashonable-and that Is black with
white lace appiqued on. This comes in
both wide and narrow widths. The wide
kind Is ordinary eauze width, and is
used for waists or sleeves-never for both
II Is 1926 yard. Then there is an in
sertion about -four inches wide which
Is used for thu strap or pleat down the
front Of a blouse or for the bretelles
that are fashionable now
In the trimming line everything is fash
ionable except possibly jet. Jet is on
the bargain counter and that always
looks suspicious. Nevertheless there is
great deal Of IT worn. But the colored
sparklers are more I'm favor, perhaps be-
cause they are newer.
So much fo- the grown folks clothes.
and now 10 see what the little folks are
wearing. for after all. this Jolly Christ
mas month really belongs to them.
The smallest ones wear white. regard
less of the season, ;or plenty OF warm
nanncls take the place OF the ugly wooden
frocks which used TO be considered neces-
sarv. They are made with a tucked yoke
or guimpe that is separate. so Il can be
replaced with a fresh one when it is
soiled. Some OF the little dresses are
gathered full around the yoke and fall
loose from there But most Of them are
made with rather short waists and n little
skirt. White null or nansook aprons
are very pretty for children who wear
colorcd dresses. They have a little tuck
a front reaching TO The waist. and wide
rufiies over the shoulders. II looks like
white dress with coored guimpe and
sleeves and Is a useful kindergarten frock
for four-ycar-od.
Very soft white India null trimmed
with. thread lace Is the dantest material
for cher best dress"
Children under four years OF age may
wear the pretty Kate Greenaway lengths,
but after they have attained the age OF
four they must have their frocks short
eacd to the knee.
Time was when the idea Of making
an evening dress for a girl under 7e'oen
would have been ridiculed. B~' nova
days the young lady OF -four finds her
party dress" almost as necessary as
her play frock. and watchfu mamma.
thinking Of future possibilities OF titles
and social positions. provides her with
the gowns and other accessories which
may lead TO such culmination.
4 Dresden silk frock for girl Of seven
might have served her mamma il it had
only been made larger. II had roll OF
green velvet at the waist. and green vel
We, leaf-shaped epaulets over the sleeves.
which were mere puffs. Under the epau-
let's and over the sleeves was fiounce
OF lace
Children's coats are long. reaching TO
the bottom OF the dress. The collars are
quite wide. and are made in sections
being slashed az the shoulder and usually
edged with fur. Boucle or cheviot makes
the prcttiest coats for ordinary wear
The fur used A. either stone marten or
ermine. Swans down and narrow edges
Of mink are also uged
Lace. both applique and nounced. Is
much used on coats for children Of all
ages.
Their bonnets are stiff in the Quaker
style. with very broad brims. espccally
right at the top. A little blonde prin-
cess. whose coat was green bengaiine.
hal a bonnet with a hrim that stood up
seven or eight inches above her golden
half. but narrowed down TO almost moth
INK when IL reached her bonnet strings
n was faced with pink silk that was
uIeatcd up and down. A couple OF pink
Tins peeped over the brim. and the strings
r,evc pink. but the bonnet was green 10
match her coat
Acme of the bonncts arc faced with
,ec> like that worn by the wee tot In
tha nicture Others have bow or rib
5>cn n a pale shade: and one OF the
r~eetest have seen was pure white with
4 bunch of tiny rose buds resting on the
-.ony eurIs. Altogether. the wee tots
sfcthcs ere more fascinating than those
"a thcir elders. and PERHAPS we take all
- : s.ore Measure in them because we
49, ~ tha una ofiya