The record-union., 1897-05-30


The new waists and jacket bodices
grow more and more elaborate, and
each novel conceit in the way of deco
ration seems a little oretter than the
last; and the art of making these tuck
ed, frilled, shirred, Vandyked, slashed,
velvet-edged or ribbon trimmed COM
binations a perfect success is now
study for the modiste.
Taffeta still leads in favor as silk
lining for skirts and bodices, but the
rustling effect has become so universal
that the latest word from Paris is that
fashionable women there have eschew-
ed it on that account, and are electing
for soft satins and clinging, noiseless
silks, either plain or changeable-the
firm well-wearing American surah be-
ing much favored These silks certain
" last much longer than taffetas. but
it is the gentle swish that most women
still like proclaiming the silk lining as
the Wearer walks, and impartlng
certain elegance to the simplest cos
tune. The faint frou-frOu is never,
however. to be confounded with the
terrible rattle that so many cheap silk
Innings produce. Their Wearers seem
to imagine that it has the effect Of
rich taffeta. but never was greater mis-
take made The sound is as offensive
and Objectionable to many ears as If
the rattler of the skirt blew penny
trumpet or rang a dinner bell.
Grenadine both plain and fancy takes
high place among summer dress ia
brics.
Canvas lined with color is very at
tractive and matrons even of quiet
tastes may indulge in gowns Of this
description If choice inclines to black,
canvas lined with lime-green, certain
shades of blue, or even rich tones in
red, are used for elegant gowns for
middle-aged women as we'll as for
younger wearers. Iridescent garni-
lures may finish the bodice and sleeves,
or jet if preferred, but always jet of
the finest quality
This season there are new most
charming sets of cut jet jackets, zou-
ave and Eton fronts, yokes, braces,
girdles, revers, epaulettes, etc, these in
every variety. and really not extrava-
CANT in price when taken for what they
are, and remembering the. future use
that can be made of them. Handsome
real jet trimming never goes out of
date and when slightly worn by the
cutting of threads. one can easily re-
pair the breaks. | have seen this
economical plan carried out with ad-
miral results and no one suspected the
economy that had been practiced. Bear
in mind. however, that to use any sort
of inferior jet is To vulgariZe and belit-
tie the garment trimmed. Moreover, it
is a constant source of annoyance,
scattering beads. bugles and sequins
broadcast, and this alone is sufficiently
annoying to ones self and friends.
Save on rich gowns for verv special
wear, it is better TO avoid fringes, as
they are a perpetual source of worry,
catching on every possible place as if
with malice preDense. To rid jet gar
nitures of dust, rub them with a sponge
dipped either in naDtha cologne or al
cohol.
The stores and importing houses are
now heaped with beautiful dress goods
that are reasonable as well as high
priced in their limitless range, and with
so much to choose from. and with some
measure of taste and discrimination, a
woman need net fail to be up to date
even on a very moderate income. It
does not matter SO essentially what she
wears as how she wears it, the judg-
ment she shows in selection and the
appreciation and understanding of her
own personal requirements, style and
position. Just the right touch of color
in the vest and belt viii make a simple
gown a noticeable and effective one
Ii is the soft dainty colorings that are
the most charming in summer gowns,
and a creamy, not a hard blue-white
wool suit. made up in open jacket style
machine stitched by way of trimming
with a vest and girdle of mauve silk
or only a soft white silk front, with
girdle and collar covered with rows of
narrow velvet ribbon, is model that
particularly illustrates this assertion.
and a model also that can be suitably
and becomingly worn by womor, con-
siderably past their youthful days
GRAY embroidered tulle orange vel
vet Venetian lace, a cluster of Mermet
roses and a very unique buckle of
French brilliants form a lovely model
for an evening hat made by Virot.
There is a large sale this season of
genuine Scotch tweeds, as the materials
are much used for cycling and travel
ing dresses The patterns are hand
some and show any number Of pretty
color mixtures. The durability of these
goods we are entirely familiar With
For general utility uses they rank well
with English serge and the pretty era
yenettes.
English serge still takes the palm for
every kind of hard wear on land and
water, salt or otherwise, In sunshine
of the brightest, and through winds and
rains of the severest. But the serge TO
bear all these tests must never come
from any second-class bargain counter.
although short lengths" of the best
serge are occasionally found at relia-
ble houses. But no matter how stylish
ly made up or smartly trimmed, a
cheap serge with deceitful finish, will
soon shrink and fade past recognition.