The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-14

the Might in Venice" They ask me,
'What shall we wear2" about a dozen
times week, as 1 am credited with know
ing all about it, having been IN BelVedere
last year when the first celebration TOOK
place, and l can assure you all 1t was well
worth the trip across the bay, for the Drill
liant success of the exertions by the Belve-
derians and the Arkites was proclaimed
far and wide, and this year everything Will
be on a larger scale. BY this 1 mean that
many more thousands OF lanterns VIII DC
used, the fireworks will be more numerous,
two bands, instead of one, will play untI
the wee small hours, the owners OF yachts,
arks and launches will all vie with one
another in entertaining the most charm
ing women in California, every one keep
ing open house for friends, and L nave
been positively informed that the tde VIII
be exactly right and the moon Will shed
her light over all, giving the hnlshlng
touches TO a veritable falryland, ana girls,
as YOU are TO be the fairies, please wear
YOUR most fetching frocks, remembering
that an August night Is not likely 10 pe
cold.
Nothing Will be quite so appropriate as a
Gown of White flannel or serge, but in case
YOU do not own one duck or plQue cos
tune will look almost as well, and you can
easily wear little heavier undercloth1ng
and have a warm wrap for the trip home.
Two awfulIv witching maidens, one a
perfect blond, and the other deml-blond,
who are now over at Belvedere, have con-
fided in me that they will both be there on
the Sd of August in snowy duck, but what
ever YOU decide to don on this occasion be
prepared to have it splashed with sea
water, as what with getting IN and out the
boats, yachts and launches one cannot ex-
pect a handsome dress to be appropriate.
Last year 1 saw a lovely toilette totally
spoiled by an accident which befell the
chestnut haired widow of distinguished
army officer. Fortunately she has the
sweetest disposition in the world, and took
the mishap with perfect amiability.
Speaking of white duck reminds me that
many complain that the white chamois
gloves now so generally worn in the morn
ing with such toilettes will not wash prop
erlv, and so will tell you how to wash
them. Have a basin of warm water and
white CASTLE soap; thoroughly wash out
your gloves in this; then wiring out every
possible drop of water and draw them on
your hands: then in fresh water, with soap,
rinse again after this allow them to re-
main on your hands until quite if not per-
fectly dry, otherwise they will shrink and
lose their shape.
With light summer gowns, white gloves
are most proper and suitable for driving.
The heavy glace kid, heavily stitched with
white, and with large, white pearl buttons,
are very correct, and if worn one size larger
than for less active purposes will be more
comfortable and enduring and the reins
can be used with greater freedom.
Did you all know that the charming
gown of pink shaded silk worn recently at
San Rafael by the pretty Californian who
has returned after long absence on &C.
count of legal affairs was a creation of
Doucets2 and for those who did not see it
let me describe it: The skirt was very full,
not in the least godeted, but with what is
called a simple drawing string around the
waist. Who ever would have expected
this of Doucet? The bodice was lovely,
having a slightly bloused front, the most
beautiful roses edging the low-cut neck.
The buds shaded from cream to rosy pink
and were quite the most exquisite artificial
flowers worn here for some time.
The San Rafael theatricals were enjoy
able even if the gas refused to act properly,
for the girls were certainly effective. The
Gibson girl was perfection, and the sweet
young belle, you know she is one already,
although she will not come out until this
winter, was picture as 1.-The Wife" The
story of the sleeve was good also, and the
little brunette looked chic in her dainty
white gown with the one crushed sleeve.
No one has been more popular this season
at Hotel Rafael than the bright wife of the
colonel, and she dresses with admirable
taste.
One fair-haired, blue-eyed matron at the
same hotel has gown of dotted white
swiss with about seventy-fve yards of ecru
lace on the ruffles. She wears many taste
full dresses.
If any Of you have some old Irish lace
the real article, mind you-look for it at
once, and straightway have it put on your
SWEETEST gown, for just at present nothing
is more stylish as a trimming and not
yard can yet be purchased here, as the de-
mand in Europe cannot be met, for every
one is said TO have gone mad to obtain it,
and no one dares to return from Europe
without having at least one gown trimmed
with it if she wishes to be considered at all
in the fashion. One of the gowns which
has Just arrived so adorned will describe,
as it has created quite a stir among the
most critical of the modistes. 1t has su-
perb white duchesse skirt, graceful as an
inverted convolvulus and quite as un-
bodice is cut very straight in the back, but
incli ned to a Y across the bust.
The bodice is covered with decollete
Irish lace bolero with basque ruffies from
hip to hip. Blouse front of yellow lisse
plisse, and from the decolletage, a fall of
the lace now so priced. The elbow sleeves
are immense and are of gros grain bro
caded in yellow roses and draped in wings
with founces of Irish point lace on the
lower edge falling over the elbow. White
roses are tucked into the folds OF these
sleeve wings, and the decolletage on the
shoulders is finished by epaulettes of them.
The lace bolero is belted in with white
satin at the back, slipping into seams at
the side and fastened on the left with a
cluster of white roses.
The style I mentioned of having MORE
ribbon with diamond buckle to hold the
long gloves in place is rapidly growing in
favor and pair of these will make dainty
wedding gift.
Speaking OF weddings reminds me that
the bride whose wedding cards will so soon
be out will wear gown OF white satin at
the quiet home wedding, her travelling
dress being strictly tailor made.
The latest fashion bulletins announce