The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-10-30
Fashions of the Day.
Smaller and Neates Costumes, Bot no
Moee EeonomiealECo loes to Suit tie
Taste Of the Veaser Plaida
Checks, Stripes and Boo6
Furs and Jeweled Belts.

Snugness. trlgneSs-a reduction OF
call lie the wstermark OF the fashions
for the coming season 90 far - shapes
and models are concerned. But yester-
day the tendency was all for quantity.
size. the bouGdnt in dress; today it ia
just the opposite.
The sudden shrinkage Of our skirts
seems to my philosophic mind to be
traceable to the exuberance of the all
prevailing trimmings. heard it eaid.
although ! cannot personally vouch for
the truth Of the story. that one Of our
smart eet-a clever woman, who is yet
not above sensible economics took one
Of her gowns Of two years ago. and from
the luxuriant fulpess OF its various parts
made up two more or less complete cos
tunes for herself 10 the prevailing style
Of the winter Of 1897 1893.
had the good fortune to examine
carefully lovely lot Of imported gowns,
and what struck me most OF all were the
remarkable color combinations which
are to adorn our social leaders. A waist
well worthy an extended description
will bear me out in What l so insist up
on. The lining was OF white silk; drsped
over it was white crepe lisse, then over
that an exquisite piece Of black lace.
while beneath each flower and leaf in
the lace was laid deep Mazarin blue
velvet, bringing out the pattern in bright
relief and with an effect that could only
have been conceived by the poesessor of
a true artistic instinct. The collar and
ceiuture were OF the same deep blue
velvet, and tho sleeves-mark the COM
bination OF the most perfect shade
OF violet -hued Irish poplin.
Checks are in great favor in every
variety of color and material-in popline,
eatips, tilks, wool and velve.s. Green
and black is smart combination, as for
instance. in blouse waists of These colore.
Velvets, yellow and black or pink and
black, will be the correct caper; in fact.
velvets in all designs. plaids. checks. dots
and stripes are. so 10 speak, epidemic.
Never in the history Of fashion has vel
vet been 81 universally popular. The
velvet blouse is to be almost an essential,
90 much 60 that ruler Of fashion lack
ing at least one Of them would be a
queen barrett of her sceptre. They may
bs 90 endlessly varied in style and shape
that there is little likelihood Of their be.
coming vulgar or common place, and
besides, velvet is material whose price
puts it beyond the reach OF the masses,
and Just now no imitation stuffs are
tolerated; for the present at least. velvet
must be velvet, and not plueh or fustian
OF any cheaper sort. And speaking OF
blouses, notice rare beauty. one of
black velvet with chinchilla collar worthy
OF princess
Evening skirts will be demi trair, ball
gowns and opera gowns the same; even-
ing waists will be deliberately trimmed
and will not necessarily match the
skirt, although for street costumes fash
ion does decree that they must be in one
tone from top to toe to be 10 the very
heights Of style.
Sashes-pretty, dressy things that
they are-are to be much worn by mat
ron and maid, while the juvenile men,
bers OF the family are to be decked out
in gay ribbons. the Roman stripe taking
precedence when plain or solid color is
not imperatively Indicated.
The waistline is much in evidence and
the modistes predict that ere long the
BID. time skirt. with its visible stitches