The times., 1897-08-29

A woman must be exceptionally graceful
and rnore than passably good-looking TO
wear this trying combination with effect
The spasmodIc appearance OF the old
fashioned double skirt in single imported
gowns for some seasons past has met with
a cool reception by the fashionable world
at-Iaree, but the oracles on the other side
persist in launching them on an innocent
and long suffering feminine public III the
matter of fashions
This autumn they Will be sent forth In
increased numbers, and with the firm In
tention of staying. With the woman who
has sufficient strength OF mind to recog-
nize her physical disabilities, these limo
yations have nothing to do As the lucky
possessor of that extra sense known as
s'oornnnon," she Will continue to choose
her gowns with an eye to the becoming
first and foremost And next in import
anee to have the general outlines and er-
feet pretty much the same as other well
dressed women.
ANYTHING that sayors of esthetieism or
pose In dress is. in these enlightened days.
In distinctly bad form, and should not De
encouraged. For sweet twenty and there
abouts few impertinences OF TINS nature
nay be overlooked, but If persisted III unsli
more mature years it is to lie deplored as an
evidence of mental weakness and vanity
gone To seed
1t would lie an act of charity to prove
to these misguided ones that old Father
Time whacks all such a trifle la Tder for
their esthetie posing. 1t is somewhat try
ing to listen to the discussion among the
advocates of unconventional dress about
'dines'i and Zines"
All lines and no curves are apt TO show
I'D the ter pus fugjt signs with anmerclfm
| distinctness. What a mistake 10 suppose
that a woman can't he econventionalin In dress
and still retain her individuality. II she
has any 1t viii speak up plainly, no matter
what her surroundings may be.
And there is no occasion to wear sign.
which calls out: Come, look at me! and you
will see u tare and radiant maiden, etc,
| etc.
The question OF overskirts is still in abey-
ance, despite the above digressIoni which
| applies to ultra conventional ladies as
we'll who will wear the latest fashions,
| even if it kills them. And when the leaves
! begin 20 turn DOUBTLESS we shall see the
| first Of the advance guard. A little five
| rooter, staggering and wobbiing along,
| swanlped in voluminous double skirt ana
/ loo6ine for al the world like catboat
| under full sail, looking up and chatterinS
I with her companion, long, slim maiden
| apprcachine the six-foot mark, and de
liberately sawed III two BY full blown
| reproduction or the old-fasilioued over
skirt This is not an overdrawn prophecy,
| and seems to call for language Resurrec-
lions call for foreible language.
Thus It will be seen with those skimP.
! sleeves Aren't they skimpy enough.
| II begins 10 look as though We should
even be deprived OF those beauty pre-
servers and lifesaving attachments gu
puffs and epaulettes- Nothing short u
the extremes will satisfy these JugseInauts
from vast balloons To skin-tigbt W. AZ
about to shrink. If we could only tarrI
between, the old clothes would last to-
long, ard then shat would become OF th'
dressmakers and trade as vel? That
sounds sufficiently businesslike ~ max
amends for any rankings above from tn
fold. White and black gowns are stu
muei4 in evidence, and over thread lace
extensively used in their trimming Mad'
over tarfata Innings in watermelon pini
and corn lowered blue, they are espe
ciaIly becoming.
For Saratoga, where boas, as well a
beaux, are always de riguer for driving
a striking addition 10 ostrich and chifo
confections is one made entirely u
American beauty roses, with four lon
ends OF ribhon the same shade in from
Each OF these is finished with larg
beauty rose and bud with green leaf al
tached Frenchy and irresistible combins
| tious for garden parties are white Skin
with blouse and basque made OF Inauv
survale, or the saIne arrangements wit
orange blouse and white lace Over tn
white SILK skirt lining are deep SPANS
flounces OF coarse Greek tulle with httl
beading " the same; or white chanttliy yove
transparent s6yb blue mousSelIne, and s
on ad infinItum.