The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-31
WOMAN OF FASHION.
s~nsfors' Day Vow One of the Most
Popular Functions In Washing
fon-1iorfoss Opportunity for the
Ambffsos. Woman, hut Vet . Good
Marrssx~nbIe PIace-scme Gowns
Seen en- Notable Occasions.

social position so often the reward -
merit more taan Of millions. and hence
no other city offers better opportunities
10 the ambitious woman who has natural
eocial gifts which might lie dormant for
ever r. the shadow % those cold and cruel
barriers that exclude the novurn horninern
from the EIysiEn OF New HoTk's four
hundred or Boston's select set
II was as A senator's wife that Mrs. Cal
yin 3 Rrfee first had 81 opportunity 10
prove her right 10 social distinctions cir
-ssrrstancs which has been fully justified
~ her popularity among Sew York and
Newport sashi0nabIss who might have
given her the cold shoulder had II not
seen for the prestige Of her established
leadership of society az the national CAP
ifat.
Even her social rival. Mrs Potter
Palmer. whose position in Chicago was
unqusstioned. went 10 Washington before
khe attempted conquest OF New York.
II i In this democratic city that poll
ticfans' wives have the same opportunities
20 make or mar their fortunes IN the So
cial ~ their husbands have IN the political
vorIf, and the woman who does not profit
bv II lacks either the ambition or the
natural giftE. either or which Is fatal 10
advancement.
No one has made better use OF her op-
psrtunitles than Mrs. Brice. She has made
senators day one OF the most popular
os All the pgsiie reception days. and this
e one % the secrets Of her success.
To do whatever is expected OF her
little better than IL absolutely necessary
seerns TO be her motto and while she Is
exertinx herself 10 entertain invited
guests in the best manner possible. she
does not forget 60 make the prescribed
public reception attractive also.
But while Washington is one OF the best
places In the world for married women 10
L. aaf
20 be recommended as good market for
their rnarrfageable daughters. For, ex-
cepting some Of the foreign diplomats and
the government clerks, there are very fsw
eligible young men there. The result Is
that the young women are thrown con
stantly into the society OF foreigners and
the poorer class OF Americans, which from
a worldly point Of view IL one of the
worst situations for an impresssonaols
girl
There ls a very good reason for this
dearth OF young men. which Is apparent
on a moments reflection. Most of the
politicians who reach congress ara mar
RED before they get there. and IL they
have grown sons they do not bring them
along TO live a life Of idleness in Wash
irgton. but leave them al home 10 pursue
their various vacations. or perhaps TO III
the places made vacant by the political
advancement of parents. Only at such
extra occasions as the inauguration bah,
10 which every Washington belle In now
locking forward with a thrill of expecta-
ton does the young woman have her In
nlngs 80 To speak. For the resident belle
has an advantage over her foreign eligi-
bles who fiock there from all over the
world.
Every young girl at the capital IS fun
% enthusiasm over the coming event. and
one hears nothing else at the afternoon
-. "a ar
ever. now that the date Is approaching
aud everybody Is anxious 20 hear the lat
est regarding a. Escn one looks care
fully TO her costume, bfsghtens herself ap
with a good story or two. and sets forth
To make herself popular.
The Washington girls gown is little
less daring than that of her sister or the
metropolis. but IL Is always pretty, and
usually becoming. or course there Is sure
20 be great variety In styles owing 10 the
cosmopolitan quality OF the assembsage
one OF the most tasteful gowns worn on
the last senator's day belonged 10 young
lady from Baltimore, who came over 10
get acquainted preparatory 20 the ball. II
vas made OF a navy blue mohair with a
silky stripe. Mohair has a natural dress
Ing ~ It's own. and this was lined through
out with a stifTened lining that was almost
as effective as taffeta. but did not have
the sllken rustic. l noticed that there was
slight fullness around the top OF the
skirt which viii be a feature or the new
spring dresses.
The waist had a yoke OF torqUcise blue
and silver tinsel embroidery. which was
hardcred with spangied Insertion There
was a velvet stock with bow OF black
MORE ribbon al the back and two points OF
spangied lace In under the chin. The bod
see fastened on the shoulder and under the
arm. and was finished at tho waist with a
ktrra fxsszf ~ a
at the left side. The sleeve was the pref
test ard most original part OF the gown,
II was tight fitting 10 the shoulder. bat at
the top there was sesliopsd drapery lined
with turquoise blue SILK that looked like
pun cut around the middle and scalloped.
small tarhan with band OF chenille
braid and handsome bird completed this
costume. which was extremely becoming
10 The blonde young woman who wore II
The young sister OF the hostess wore a
combination % two shades 81 maroon.
The dress vas made princesse style. with
Jacket effect produced BY the arrange
ynent Of the lace trimming. The material
was light shade Of maroon In silk and
waol. with a stock and Wide gtrdle OF
darker velvet. The lace started from each
shoulder and was caseadei down the front
- as - resemble Jacket. but passing un-
der tho velvet Klrale. which was laid 81
two ;uCks Immediately over, so as % con-
perry fell rom a velvet bow on each shout
der over the top % the sleeve. and was
caught un again 40 as 20 resemble ruff.
but the Sleeve proper was tight all The way
up Wide lace fell over thu hand and
there mas a tiny velvet bow AZ each wrist.
Everybody wears lace or soma Kind ~
auTy trimming az the wrists. 4 street
costume composed % a plaid skirt ard
green veiutina waist hsd sleeves that
were eat fn points AZ the wrist and filled
in with white moussgtins-
Circular ours that are either allowed %
FARE or arr caught Down az intervals.
giving them futod appearance. ara very
fashionable ant. Indeed. some Kind 81
trimming az the wrist Is necessity IN
the new gowns.
4 rev fancy for $ reception dress Is 4
siik waist 90 soma bright color. toned
down wIth black velvet Eton Jacket
with Sleeves The waist should show ~
the hack ana - antsned with A bow %
the same al tee waist I saw a very
pretty ora in hofel usrior 81 washing
ton. "a here = vcuuE LADY VAS receiving a
call from gentleman The velvet Jacket
was elaborAteiy trimmed wlth narrow an
pli4ae lace. and the Six waist vas shrfrnp
PINK vita a lace frert-
re new skirts will BE f'ua.ea. and hv
s,suamer We snail SO very few plain arss
Three FaNtes VIII BE the faycrite anna
Der. iust IS tNo we're pogalsv LAST sum
mer
A. elaborate reception dress Tor MD.
die-aEed lady IS made rrtnce-se-v si-4
by the way. ls a fRvcrtte styie-wl;h trim
ming or TIE sSFt pat On 20 sfmulat@ IN
front - velvet strip OF sable - put
an IA \ sh. IA, fha Frless % ~