The times., 1897-12-12

pouched front and was otherwise quite
modern in its style
Everything points toward a return 10 the
dark age of filters" and such like horrors
in woman's dTess. The silk petticoat with
its ruffle widening up towards the waist in
the back is provided with tie back and
| stiff wire 6S the bottotn, which Together
| give that GaHdling swing TO the feminine
walk so much affected by our grand
mothers
The gown in the illustration has a more
modern appearance than some OF the Jther
| late French iuportations. 1t is fIounced
| half way up the skirt, but the bodice, with
its soft, puffed front and its velvet strans
| and buckles OF the Eton jacket is refresh
| ingly In keeping with the styles TO which
we are accustomed.
The three quarter opera cloak requires
considerable spread of skirts to hold it in
| position, and this ugly piece of wearing
| apparel is becoming quite fashionable.
white brocade cloak Of three quar- ter
| length was made more snowy than ever in
appearance by the addition of two white
| fox skins which lag with a head over each
shoulder III front, and with paws dangling
| at the sides ard the tails hanging tog gather
| at the hack. 1t behooyes the hunter to
shoot and trap with the greatest care
these days, since none but perfect skins re-
| ceive the sanction of her ladyship, who re-.
| quires every hair of trophy's hide ere
she will he satisfied.
A red Goth cape with a high collar
| and Il hC"d is a very good wrap for a
| number of different functions 1t does
very well for evening, and viii be stun
ming for sleighing. a dashing young
| woman vas trying one on, while | WIS
seeking Information the other day. The
| salesgirl was telling her that it would
| be entirely proper for the street, and so
| pretty to wear over your gown 10 2 little
informal dance" The cape was lined with
| white silk, but the hood, which was laid in
pleats around the edge instead OF being
| gathered, had a lining of what might be
called square polka dot silk--that is, the
! groundwork was black and the whIte
| polka dots, instead of being round, were
square.
Some Of the fur-trimTned capes have
| the shoulder pieces sewed on separately.
with the band of fur as finish. This
| gives that droop which one sees so often
| In the new wraps.
| seal cape with the droop Just men
toned. had Tor shoulder trimming, a full
sized ininksldn, inlaid, so to speak. The
head anc paws We're carefully set in the
| Shoulders Of the seal cape. The effect was
decidedly odd, and rather pretty.
The Empire and the Vatican style
continue to hold their own in the realm nf
| house dresses, though there are few blouse
costumes which look rather fetching One
| pink cashmere, for instance, is bloused by
means Of fine, up-and-down tuckS, which
| form a sort of girdle around the waist with
the bodice falling slightly over therl.
| blouse fashion. But such indoor gowns are
rare, because there are few to whom they
are becoming, and tie Empire has yet an
| other advantage in the fact that it caun )t
| grow Common by appearing at every cor
| me- of the street. An Empire fancy. which
is easily copied with the help Of wide .b-
boz or sash, was displa yed in an importers S
window this week. 1t had an accordion
pleated skirt -butone could use an thin ma
terial, and have it merely shirred-and a
/ soft, observation-disclosures The bodice, he, V
ever, was almost obscured by a w.de
white MORE sash, which passed aro.ind
| the body under the arms and tied in SIX loops
| AMI two long ends in front l registered
| a mental VOW that If / had one i sho III
tie it in the back. but that would perhaps
not be so much after the Kate Greena va Y
| fashion
The broad sash was held in place with
narrow ribbon suspenders which had bow
on the shoulders and thus served for orna
ment as Well as utility. This fa shion
of tying the sash high is very generally
becoming, and is especially appropr ate
for indoor receiving dresses. The girl
who aspires to be Greek in her ,tyle
may go q long way toward accomplishing