The record-union., 1897-03-21

year is not at all to be wondered at.
There is hardly textile among sum-
mer fabrics that is as tempting to a
woman as sheer, daintily figured and
tinted French organdie. Their silk
Innings, costing very much more than
the. gown itself, have in past times
been the great objection to their more
general wear; but now we have so
many pretty and effective duplicates
for taffeta or surah in the watered per-
calines silk finished surahlines, etc.,
dyed in all the delicate summer tints,
that using these, and with the addition
of simple ribbon garnitures, one of the
most charming and becoming styles for
summer gowns is thus obtained at
very small expense. Of course there
are double-width silk organizes" that
are quite beyond the reach of those
who count their dollars while doing
their shopping, but even If these have
a lustrous surface and are as soft and
sheer as cobwebb, the patterns are
no more dainty than the less costly de-
signs; on the contrary, some of the or
CANDIES costing 81 yard or more are
woven in large, bold devices that do
not at all please the taste of many
fashionable women, and then 1t seems
hardly worth it to pay a large price
for so ephemeral material.
=
There is no limit to the variety OF
bodice decoration, but among the lead
ing modes are surplice effects, many
of the folded corsages ending in grace
full scarf ends that are finished with
lace and insertion when of delicate tex
tiles. Smart little jacket bodices and
boleros are also as popular as if this
was the initial season of their vogue.
Among the new spring goods are
stylish Cathcart cheviots, silk-threaded,
all-wool English tweeds in various rich
color schemes; a very pretty exhibit OF
pin-checked silk and wool fabrics in
beautiful color mixtures; French and
English mohairs in many new weaves
and colorings; rough-finished boucles,
soft and silky to the touch; a special
line of Caniche cloths and another OF
new stylish color mixtures in silk and
wool Tartans in blendings never before
introduced; also fourteen distinct Varl-
cites of French and English light
weight woolens in plain and fancy eff
fects-all exhibited by various import
ers in the city.
The bridesmaids of a recent wedding
We're six in number and wore dresses of
white faced CLOTH the Elton jackets
trimmed with fur and opened over full
| fronts of white satin, tucked under
| broad belts of satin finished with a
large bow. Large hats of green velvet
with punches of Parma violets COM
pleted the costumes, with which were
! carried shower bouquets OF violets A
| feature of the same wedding was the
bearing of the brides train by three
| little girls in picturesque Kate Green
away frocks of white silk and lace with
large white hats.
| 1t would be interesting to trace many
of the so-called caprices of fashion to
their real source. Many, as is we'll
! known, are of historic origin and re-
! ceived their inspiration in the whim of
some royal or other distinguished per-
| sonage. The introduction of the sepa-
rate collar shirt waist which has and
| is enjoying a great vogue, was, 1T is
! said, due in the first place to the laZi-
ness of a cutter in one of the fashiona-
able tailor shops where ladies' waists
are made. He suggested and advo-
Gated the style to save work, it was
discreetly talked up by the head saless
| women, who received the customers,
and the thing was done-well done, too,
| most women will testify.