Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14

Easter week that is not yet. There Is the
bonnet to consider.
Modified forms of the poke bonnet are
quite in line with the springs promises-not
the long poke, through which, as down
tunnel. one peered in grandmother's days at
the face beyond, but shallower and airier
poke with an upward and outward spreading
front varying from that of a Salvation Army
KEPT to the crimpled cutter edge of a seashell.
Whatever trimming of plume and ribbon
there be Is piled far back upon the tiny
crown, the under5ide Of the brim is smoth-
cred in lace white or black. and the whole
contrivance Is pushed well back; no, there is
othing dim or tunnel-like about the poke
of 1896. And the Salvation shape Is pretty
enough, give 1t but the bright colors. Enter
Drising modistes are already referring to
certain of these new shapes as the Booth"
or the "Ballington, names somewhat in
favor even in fashionable New York.
But there are others. The spring bonnet
is not confined to the shell shapes. There is
to be good countenancing demand for the
picture hat, in moderate sizes. and for the
bewtching toque mo bigger than an agate
stone upon the forcfinger of an alderman"
Spring will bring the straw braids. of
&C urse. many Of them the rough fancy straws
with which we have in former seasons been
familiar, but in new loops, fringes. points,
patterns and caracoles. There are plain
straws. iridescent colors and Persian ara
beseues in weaving. Some->braidmakers
have even gone so far as to weave Scotch
clan tartans in straw Of strong prime colors.
require emphatic cclors in the trimming,
such as are furnished by scores and bands
OF duchess purple, or navy blue which IS
now known as matelot blue, as If the French
" ord made it any finer.
There Is cOmpensat ton In all the universe,
hence it Is no surprise to find that the little
hats have bigger crowns than the big hats;
the walking shapes in felt have narrow
brims curling high in the sides and low at
the ends in shape somewhat suggestive of
the turban. though the rolled sides do not
hug the crown quite as close as in that
model.
Quilted net will figure prominently in the
list of trimmings. along with chiffon sim
farly treated, Malines tulle in white. black
and colors. Flowers will be profuse, and
there is great influx of fancy ribbons from
selves, be it added. There are ribbons with
somber effects. and ribbons with Dresden
roses and china designs, crepon prints, print
ed velvets, mirror velvets Japanese plisse
and silk muslins. plain and bordered. High
novelties" are the ribbons in Persian ground
ings and Damascus embroidery. vermicelli
figures, velvet floriations, ombre stripes or
metal threads; ombre grounding with wild
variety of stripes; taffeta in narrow glace
stripes; glace with printed borders or metal
Patterns, or taffeta edges; broche figures,
Bayadere ribbons with stripes in the warp,
damask ribbons. plaided ribbons. Palmer
ribbons in delicate tints will no doubt prove
in better taste, especially for hats or bon
rets with long ribbon ties.
The short basque skirts still survive, ac-
cording to the universal law limited at in
the beginning of this rambling account; and
there will be with the first warm weather q
sudden revival Of the rather long-skirted
coat, forming part of tailor-made costume
opening low and wide to display a lawn o..
pique shirt front The tailor mode Will not
down. Its blessed convenience goes far to
forgive its cold and somewhat unfeminine
outlines Later will come the blouse, be-
loved for the same convenience.
Walking gowns will be this spring some
what elaborate, and pale glace skirts with
three or four tiny nounces by way of border
to the skirt will not. after little, look too
fussy for the street But the palmer garb
will always be in better taste
There is considerable favor shown to the
not too novel idea of skirt decora ton by in
serted panels of darker stuffs or by bands
OF ribbon or cloth running lengthwise of the
seams all or part Of the way down.
ELLEN OSBORN