Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
NO SOBER GOWNS.
rAsHroxAnLn ATTIRE xcsr Al
WAYS RE SMART,
CHANGES In TAILOR. MADE COSTUMES.
Long, Transparent sleeves to lie
Worn-A Charming BIouse--somc-
thing New I'm Accordion PIcstcd
Skirts-Handsomc Designs
written for the Dispatch)

sThe tailor-made gown Is TO lose its prim-
ness this season. The modistes say that
only persons who live 50 lar from the
madding crowd will wear the plain
sort, except the women who have TO work
for their living. These latter. fashion
says. may wear the tailor-made contri-
vance in any way they please, because, 1
suppose. Of the fact that the majority OF
them look well in whatever they wear.
From this fact It will be seen that the
woman OF fashion who wears a tailor
made costume must be sure that it is
smart. Elegant indeed are some OF the
new styles. one is of dark green mate
rial. the skirt cut on new and admira-
BILE principle. Tubular braid is introduced
on the front. forming a handsome knot
on either side. 1t would be difficult 10
find more becoming fashion. 1t fits the
back and in front describes a couple OF
points. without being close fitting, 1t
Indicates the figure as well as If it We're.
a little gold brlghtens up the braiding
and the ,waistcoat and collar are bright
red. This is particularly becoming to
small. slender woman. Persons short and
stout and already inclined TO cmbonpoint
should avoid Sc. This is one Of the pen
alties the woman with plenty Of avoirdu-
pois must pay for the possession Of the
flesh that is hers.
Among the other pretty dresses that are
20 be popular, / notice a dark green cloth
embroidered around the front and at the
back of the skirt with a Renaissance de-
sign formed of braid and lace stitches
in black. This is carried up the front at
the side seams and the mauVe velvet
cross cut. slightly pleated waistband and
collar, brighten the dress considerably.
The bolero is edged with the same black
embroidery and the vest is Of black chf-
fon. The tailor-made skirts are no full
Ter than they have been, but this remark
does not apply to other styles A rough
broche cloth in which many colors are
blended presents an attractive appearance
when made up in this fashion,: Handsome
braiding down the skirt and on the wide
shoulder cape over which the lapels are
carried on TO the shoulders. These are
not of the usual form, but are rounded at
the tips and the fun vest of silk or suita-
bic material comes beneath.
A MARKED FEATURE.
I see constantly more proof of what
have said about brocade. There is no
question but what black velvet brocade
is a marked feature in the new season 3
stun In many Of the familiar tartans.
in which red yellow green, and violet are
all interblended. there are, on the surface,
close set stripes of black velvet inter-
woven. Tiny pin spots In white form an
outstanding surface on many pretty checks
in simple elace. such as pink and white
Pink is certainly prominent this season. |
Some small pink and black checks display
white satin stripes at intervals. and this |
design is repeated I'm many colorines.
With all these varieties. however the |
more beautiful of the broc6des hold their |
own. Floral scrolls in two colors are
thrown on satin grounds and these in |
turn discover also species OF shadow scroll |
work. Very beautiful are some Of the sha- |
dow patterns IN which many tones mingle |
such as green. blue and gohl Atiotber un-
common pattern is a groundwork of a
conventional floral design. covered with a
corded effect running through flowers and
ground alike. and produced in white and
blue. and in white with either green. |
brown. peach or cardinal-red Some Of
the large white pin-spots are thrown on |
design of reeds in satin, and both flowers |
ribbons. clouds and seaweeds appear t. |
be treated as q ribbon scroll. The baslIe'
work weavings in which many bold checks
are carried out give great richness. These
are generally ia white. black, or some
solid color.
The long. transparent sleeves for our Z
SWEETEST dresses will reign throughout the /
season. there is no doubt Another GER
tainty I'm connection with this is the fact /
that IL VIII cause a relntroduction Of silk /
openwork and lace mitts. Short gloves |
with the long sleeves look pdtchy and the
long ones are practically out Of the ques-
ton with the transparens sleeve. So you I
see there seems to be nothing to do but |
10 wear silk mitts. even though the skins /
Of some OF us ente vigorous protest |
and give positive proof that that protest |
is well grounded.
Some Of the new bodies are so delicate,
the top portions being principally COM |
posed OF flowers, that it will be almost i'm
possible 10 wear wraps of any kind over |
them. The smartest way out Of the d. |
lemma is a little pelerine Of brocade, Just
big enough 10 fit round the neck and |
shoulders, not to fall down over the floral |
berthe One or two ! have seen are
trimmed with swansdown, than which |
few things are prettier and none more |
becoming to a young, fresh, fair face
Those of us who have left those charms |
behind have to be wary Of this snowy /
whiteness
LONG WRAPS FAVORITES.
Long wraps for evening wear are still |
the favorites and viii be much worn, /
except when bodices are unusually |
crushable particularly lovely one |
IS in pale, brlght-green brocade, with |
design of conventional roses in pink and |
black, as well as a curious sort OF |
Swallowed lily design in the green itself |
There is a deep collar. and revers faced /
with white satin. and embroidered with |
emerald jewelling and gold. There Is
also a high collar, filled in with fine |
pleatings of pale-green chiffon. The |