Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-09

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VI w are leap year we'd
~ dings - indeed, IL Is
more THAI likely that those which are
solemnized in midsummer were originally
contracted for before the dawn Of '06-bu;
all the same, tradition has 1t that privi-
leges may be reversed every four years,
and we, therefore. decide that they are so
But as 1 have said. this will probably
not change the marriage season, when all
the world Is a-bloom with roses and sweet
bridesmaids; and June will be as merry
with weddings as she Is radiant with girl
graduates. Indeed. the girls are not few
who will merely exchange their simple
commencement for more elaborate nuptial
gowns, and thus, as 1t were, do I'D educa-
ton and matrlmony in one week and done
with 1t.
Both the graduation and the wedding
gowns have been planned together, how
ever If the bride is to leap at once out of
college into matrimony. The graduating
dress Is growing simpler in proportion as
the number of college students increases,
for the sentiment grows more and more
democratic as the average student grows
poorer. So coEsiderate do college girls be-
come tina. the rich ones refuse to take ad-
vantage Of their wealth to outshine their
less fortunate sisters. This year the gowns
thing be possible.
AS If to compensate for the lack of
adorrment on the graduating gown. the
wedding 1ress Is made mere elaborate. In
neither case Is decolletaGe permissible.
If the wedding takes place in the evening,
the guests may dress in as elaborate even
ing dress as they see fit. but the bride has
her collar up to her chin, and even higher
in some cases.
The Materials Used.
The me st elegant materials for we'd
ding dress are satin de Lyons or white
faille, but 1t isn't every bride who can af-
ford such luxury. Some content them
selves with white silk or cheap satin and
tulle- Others are married in their travel
ing dresses, but since 1t has become allow
able for people in moderate circumstances
to dispense with the edding tour and the
travelling dress is itself superfluous the
wedding dress Is necessity and the bride
assuming. however misguidedIy. that mar
rtage comes but once In a lifetime. goes N
for all her father Is worth to get the very
best wedding dress that can be had
The bare material for the gown of gowns
is more expensive than formerly, because
1t takes more yards to make the skirt.
twenty-five yards of satin is not too much
for tall and stately bride. Then there Is
the veil, which may be made of tulle, cost
ing from sl.25 to s2.25 yard, or real lace
at any price,
The veil Is four yards wide to start with,
and four yards in length should be all that
the stateiest bride should require. 1t is
draped cornerwise. with crown or tiara
ike arr angement about the head. A small
detachable veil is removed by the maid of
honor and laid on the altar at the conclu-
sion of the ceremony.
At some weddings the bridesmaids wear
short wells reaching to the waist in which
case they usually dress alike. Sometimes
two dress in one color and two or three in
another. Where there are many brides
maids, as at ceremony where nine dam
sells attended the bride, they arrange them
selves in threes or tours. according to the
whole number-though odd numbers are
considered preferable because they are ira
ditionally lucky. After all. 1t is really more
elegant and in better taste to have no set
military uniform for the members of the
Wedding party. Handsome costumes of
Dresden silk or deliberately trimmed glace
tafetas are correct. or even fluffy combi-
nations OF tulle or chiffon with satin are
belong exclusively to the bride.
The Wedding Hat.
1t is difficult to define a wedding hat as
distinguished from any of the rest of the
much-trimmed headgear that is worn now.
Big, white roses. orchids tulle, foliage,
pink rosebuds and paradise aigrettes are a
few of the trimmings that may be combin-
ed with immense bows of ribbon on one
hat. 1t Is enough to say that there never
was better year for weddings so far as
millinery is concerned. Almost any hat Is
a wedding hat
For ordinary wear if one cannot afford
the perishabe tulle she may substitute
1r1ils OF accordion plsated null, which Is
as short-lived as the other, Is also cheaper
and therefore more easily replaced
Another temptation to extravasance In
wedding paraphernalia Is the dainty under.
clothing hung up to tempt the frivolous.
minded woman who has not entirely sue
cumbed to the severity of bicycle boomers
and jersey sweaters. In proportion to the
rest OF ones wedding fnery a suit of pref.
ty and elegant Undertaking, includine
cnemtse, drawers. night dress and skirt,
can be had made to order comparatively
cheap. Thirty-five dollars will paw for a
set Of fine nainsook trimmed with Valen-
ciennes lace and insertion. White or Ores
den silk Is preferred by many for the skirt
graceful combination of chemise, cor
set cover aid short skirt Is called the
Marguerite" 1t looks very much like a
child's dress VITA low neck and 10 sleeves.
The waist Is short, empire style, and is
drawn In to fit the figure with a satin rib
bon. The skirts are called ankle length.
but do not reach far below the knees This
style Is very cunning and especially becom-
ing to short figure.
About Underwear.
The rev dimity underwear is dainty and
has bridal look about 1t. One made of
blue would do very well for the Something
blue which is considered necessary to the
bridal toilet. The same material is used
for night dresses, chemises and other un-
derwear, and on account Of its cheapness
1t would serve for a sort of second best
suit in the bridal trousseau
Wedding stockings are white silk and
can be bought for from 81 so to almost any
price, according to the amount of embroid-
cry used to ornament them.
Wedding shoes are really slippers or at
A