Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-21
FASHION AND LENT.
SOBER BLACK is NOW nrvArIrn
BY PAWN AND NUNS GRAY.
GORGEOUS ROBES FOR EASTER.
wealth of Textiles That In Heinz
Thoroughly Discussed by Pros.
pectiVe Wearers-The Newest
Bodice.
WrIlten for the DIsnatchA

as'i'" ~ S"bfVSeU 20 step 10 one side
when Lent appears However IL fs 80
often the unexpected that happens ma,
10 is no surprise TO learn about the rrear
attention being paid this season 70 Lem
ten costumes. Naturally they win no
black 20 great extent. but there has
been no little relaxation from the sombre
hues OF other days this season. and thar
is why the violet tameta silk and f,u,,
and nuns grey coloring are noticeahlo
among the materials which win be mn
~ 20 robe the form Of the Fashionable
church woman.
IL is a question II the Artful Dodrer
himself would not be kept busy II he ar
tempted to equal the agility OF many spn-
poscdiy ccvout church members. whom ~
comes 20 finding ways I'm which 10 honor
Lent rather in the breach than in inc
Observance. There is no intention or
making this a moral essay. These arc
only The natural thoughts which occur IN
one after visiting the shops OF the FASH
iouabe milHners and seeing what their
combined continental dictators have de-
creed what We must wear
There viii be flowers. Oh. certainlv
heart for Violets, and so violets are 70
be fashionable. No one win be sorry
Perhaps the best thing to do is 10 wbisper
the reason why. The consensus of oDin-
ion seems TO be that IL is because violets
are cheap. There are any quantity OF
florists who will sell them for 10 cents a
bunch. This is about as inexpensive a
decoration as the most Impoverished
fashionable could desire. OF course II
you buy Parma violets. the Inexpensive
feature is obliterated So far. however.
nothing has been said about the variety.
So long as they are violets. that is ali
that is necessary.
The violet Is not only In fash
ion for floral decoration. but is
included in the colors that are |
permitted to soften the darkness
OF the ordinary Lenten attire one STYLE
OF hat that is sure 10 be worn a great |
deal is made of suede felt. Satin ribbons |
are used in the decoration. as are chiffon |
and Parma yiOlets. Then there is the
mouchoir muf Of velvet. which has trim
mings TO match. One of the very not-
ceable costumes now being made at a
fashionable establishment consists of a
very soft drap d'ete Of the shade called
suede. The skirt, seven gored. is lined
with violet taffeta silk with suede vel
Vet bolero. The latter is silk lined ana
trimmed with large mother-of-pearl but
tons The long close sleeves terminate
I'm deep points on the top of the hand
The points show the velvet lining ana
tL--e is a small velvet puff at the top.
The collar which is standing, is large
and cut in points with violet lining. The
inside trimming consists of chiffon. You
might travel a Sabbath days journey
and not see a prettier one.
Tia an tnfuue ont must bovn
end, and already engaged couples and
heir friends are talking about the Easter
and p0st-Eastor weddings. not so much
for the weddings themselves as what
they permit the young ladies who take |
part therein TO wear. Talking about il !
loo soon, you say? Not at all. If a
woman isn't privileged TO discuss what
he is going TO wear at a wedding weeks
n advance, and in detail, then she has !
ost one Of the greatest privileges of her
sex. 1t may be that this discussion is
helped along this year by the fact OF
he very numerous and beautiful textures
which are appropriate for costumes. that :
I'D sorts OF femininity is supposed to
wear on nuptial occasions.
So far as the effects and models are
.Oncerned the tendency is markedly !
oward Marie Antoinette styles The
xQuisitely lowered satin brocades. the
ichus, and other lace decorations, all |
20 to constitute a custom that with the G
laring collar and the couture, must
ttract attention and admiration. What s
more can the wearer Of the gown ask a
han this? Toilettes Of the time of Queen a
elizabeth. Pompadour gowns. robes. like
hose worn by the Renaissance queens, a
1ary Stuart costumes all these are ,
eing talked of favorably, and it seems p
more than likely that our fashionable n
hurch weddings during the month Of a
miles and tears will take us back to the
ime Of which our histories have taught
IS; even more than the Bradley-Martin
ALL which set New York swelldom in
trcmor Of excitement. G
one of the features Of fashion Just -
ow-a cold weather feature-is the bro =,
AIDED wool bodice, and the bodice Of ~
rocaded silk. Both are seen TO a con- i
lderable extent. They are generally n
-orn with plain skirts Of contrasting
0lor, as when the mixture is blue and Al
lack and the skirt is blue or green. | 81
hese are usually made with wide. cape n
Ike revers, which are bordered with fur N,
aving a narrow basque below and a I n,
cit above. While this is a very com =,
Drtable cold weather substitute for silk. CO
IS probable this style of bodice win
stain its popularity during the summer, lii