The evening times., 1896-12-17
FESTIVE FRocks.
Gowns Which Little Ones Can Wear to
Parties.


Gowns Which Little Ones Can Wear to
Parties.
There is no denying the fact that as the
years go by the clothing OF children is more
and more considered. Indeed, there Is
| scarcely juvenile function nowadays that
does not call for some distinctive Costume,
especially if the wcarer is CT the softer
sex, but it does not follow that each of
| these costumes needs TO be bought ready
| made, or that the materials must be of the
finest when they are fashioned at LONE.
Christmas party clothes for both boys
and girls are now declared 10 he quite
as important as the Christmas tree itself.
The gowns of the girls must he light in
color and elegantly made, and the get-up
OF the Toys ust be their dressiest, velvet
| court suit and lace frilled shirt front for
the smaller boys, and black bIoadcloth
suit, consisting of an eton jacket, a vest,
and long OF short trousers for the older
lads.
Informal dancing now follows every
Christmas tree gathering, whether in the
aftern' on or evening, and the attire OF the
small guests must be of the same nature
as that worn 10y their elders on their festive
occasions. That the children enjoy the
Christmas parties more when suitably
dressed goes without saying. Then gale
OF finery gives eclat to the occasion, and
it seems only Just that the kind Kris
Krmgle should have this little tribute paid
him after all the e cd he has done in the
world.
Let us begin with the girls. If they are
very small their Christmas frocks may be
| made from an older sisters OutgrOwn
gown, OF one of mammals old evening
skirts may form foundation to be covered
entirely with some inexpensive white stuff
Swiss, null or dotted muslin are all charm
col III al We
FaleRciennes lace in the little bodice and
skirt will give touch OF elegance.
The white null and lace frock Illus
tratcd will provide an excellent model for
girl from four to seven. The SILK founda-
tion should be made separate from the
outside, which is entirely without lining
for washing convenience and so the lace in
scrts may lie directly over the silk under
slip. This is cut exactly the shape Of theout-
side frock and is best when high -ncckcd and
the little bodice lined with thin book muslin.
A short puff OF the silk forms the under
sleeves. which are covered by others of
frilled muslin.
Low neck and short sleeves is very
pretty fashion for little maids who do
hot catch cold easily. But even when
the neck OF the gown needs to be high,
the sleeves may bc short, aud If the little
arms are round and dimplcd, narrow
gold bracelet will add much To their beauty.
y narrow ribbon ticdtight around th wrist
with "A bow outside also sets Off dainty
hand and arm and gives ii quaint old
fashioned look that is very fetching.
For the Ecck there are number of thin
gold chains with heart-shaped or round
cnamclcd iuckets that. are worn with
both high and low gowns.
Thin wool materials. dcIaine, barege.
cashmere, etc. in pale cuiors, make charm
in: and inexpensive party frocks when
trimmed with narrow satin ribbons or
black velvet or lace. An odd silk or satin
skirt III the same color viii also provide
all excellent foundation for these, and
add much to their elegance.
As to model, Il full gathered skirt sewed
TO short tody with low neck and puff
sleeves is Il design much in favor for
girls from four To ten. a high necked
long slecved muslin or silk guimpe Will
be worn under the bodice by all ages,
but Tor the Older girls the body may be
varied by all sorts of short jacket effects,
tiny etons that go all tn" way round and
provide extra warmth, or else just little
bolero fronts to give II Jacket look. The
smallest scrap of velvet or silk will form
thes. bolero fronts. as the shorter they
are the more cocky they are considered.
Then if the velvet or silk used is made
over material. defects may BE- hidden with
a covering of thick lace or a braidiug OF
gilt or black. Thelast trimming will give
y look OF extreme richness. especially If
the braidng is done on velvet.
For girls from ten to sixteen party frocks
have either a high bodice or else the neck
cut out in a little Marguerite square. that
shows scarcely more than the shell OF the
throat. A round neck simply shirred, as is
shown in gown on this page may be worn
by the older girls, but in no case must the
decniictage lie very marked. Gurtti sk'rS' Tor
girls from twelve years up are often trim
med with one Or more narrow frills edged
with lace, narrow velvet or satin ribbon.
If the frlli is eleven inches deep one inch
may take up the heading, and TO put it on
wiln Il gathering over the vr two cords
VIII form trim finish.
Ribbon sashes from four to five inches
wide are worn by girls from four years up.
They cncircle the waist snugly, ending at
the back with two rosettes, or a bow,
and ends that touch the skirt bottom.
Sashes of ivory white satin and sleeve
twists of the same form a beautiful and
simple trimming for plain velvet gowns,
which by the way are considered this season
the smartest get up for girls from SIX To
twelve. Thelittle frocks are severely simple,
with gathered skirt, low body and short
puff sleeves. But deep collars or bretelles
Of splendid lace may fall from the round
neck of the bodice, which is worn over a
high long sleeved guimpe, and no other
trimming could he more elegant OF eff
fective than the white satin sash and
sleeve twists mentioned.
This fine rig is much affected by little
maids in the smart set for opera matinees,
birthday parties and other festive use.
The gown is in black, wine-red, or sapphire
blue, and narrow white satin ribbon ties
back the simply parted hair, while white
kid 81 owes, black silk stockings, and
patent leather shoes are considered other
elegant accessories.
To reproduce the same smart effect at less
could be used. Then any number OF hand
expense liberty veiyetccn in the same colors
some breteles, and collarettes may be
found in the shops very chcaH, that initiate
to a nicely the rich Russian and real Point
deVeniselaces, which are g orn by the small
Try as eli as by the gruwn-ups.
For girls from six to sixteen the chi ildren's