Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-27

the fuss and feath-
ers. the pretension and '-splurge of half a
dozen years ago. Certainly there can be
nothing for the most timid girl to shy at
In the familiar drawing rooms, scarcely al
tered from their everyday appearance and
not lavishly trimmed even With flowers.
and In the quiet coming, and going of the
family intimates and the women her elders
are most anxious the bud should know.
Ard yeti is always I'M the yet" that a
difficulty is sprung OFT youAthe snowy.
slam-bang receptions Of the past were
picnic froiics to what rhe debutantes of
this winter have to undergo.
1t is the girl herselfntfat, has to pass
muster now and not the decorations or re-
freshments. The coming out reea has been
turned by tacit consent of society into a
sort of dress rehearsal where the new
candidate for favor is rput through her
PAGES by women who entertain SO that
some idea may be arrived at of her poten-
ualities and the likelihood Of her proving
drawing card.
Competition in Society.
The New York season has become a shor.
one and society competition is keen Wo-
men who have not daughters of their own
whose chances they are pushing are con-
tinually on the lookout for novelties for
their dances, dinners and receptions No
hand Is so sure winner as royal flush
OF pretty girls. There you have it in
nutshell. The debutante's tea is the ma
irons chance to size up the debutante;
hence Its growing reputation as an ordeal
Ihe girl who passes muster successfully
mas a brilliant winter ahead of her; she
is asked everywhere, deferred to, made
much of. She is recognized as an attrac-
ton. The girl who doesn't pass muster is
doomed to dullness unless she is blessed
a ri off tod sod
mamma -
A girls preparations for the simple little
function that is yet of such vital import
arce to her are the cause of much BRAIN
racklng. Her dress must be quiet. 1t i.luSt
be free from every suspicion of ostenta-
ton or needless expenditure of money. 1t
must suggest youth, simplicity, modesty.
1t must look artless. without strain: yet
1t must exhaust all the resources Of ge-
MUS to bring out every good point of face
and figure and to conceal the bad ones.
The hair must not be dressed deliberately.
No ornaments. or very few, must be worn.
girl must not look as If she had dressed
to make an impression, but she has failed
unless she leaves deep one. A debutante
Is allowed to carry flowers 1t Is her bust
ness to stand quietly beside her mother
fully as possible to the greetings of the
guests to whom she is presented. She
knows she is on exhibition ami Is under
going critical examination, but no sus-
VI.
Suitable Gown.
This seasons teas are just beginning. At
one of the earliest and most notable a
young girl who has been complimented
since with invitations to pour fer six
other girls, and who has had the pleasure
OF seeing the teapot run never-ceasing
streams, faced the music in turquoise blue.
A month had been consumed in deciding
upon the color, month of rummaging the
shops and wearing out the brain tissue
of dressmakers. The peculiar delicacy of
the decision. In the shade chosen it look
ed fair and perfect as the inside Of sea
shell.
The girls figure, though not angular is
ranged to remedy this trouble. A pale blue
chiffon accordion-pIeated and gathered
about the shoulders into soft outings which
sleeves were built on the same lines and
gave fullness and rcundness to the arms.
An effective and yet not too striking color
contrast was brought out by waist band
skirt was of turquoise blue silk, trimmed
with tiny ruffies beaded with chiffon. This
costume was essentially gitlish; it was
dressy without being too elaborate. and
brown hair and the lovely color, like the
first faint dawn of a blush, that swept over
tie delicate face now ana again.
At an Evening Reception.
I have seen only one other coming-out
reception as pretty. This second affair was
In the evening. The girls father assisted
the mother in receiving the guests and
there was big, good-looking brother who
took the debutante out to supper after
ward.
The coming-out costume was white in
this instance. dainty frock Of white silk.
cut after a pretty modification of the en-
pire style. 1t was open at the throat to
show the firm. round neck. but the gown
was far from being decoilette It had a
loose front OF mousseline de sole. lightly
embroidered with pearls and silver. and
held in place by bands OF white satin rib
bon that crossed in front and passed under
the arms The skirt was gracefully cut and
untrimmed. The debutante held loosely in
her hand bunch Of white japanese chrys-
anthemums.
An evening reception Is much less usual
at present than q tea, when q debutante
= 70 make her bow. At the afternoon af-
1aars' everybody present dresses with the