The record-union., 1897-03-14

A very pretty little fancy waist for
brunette, called I'Infanta, is made Of
soft Liberty satin of a rich yellow tint,
trimmed with real Spanish lace (black),
chiffon, and black velvet ribbon. The
waist is cut very full, and then laid
in fine tucks on the upper portion. This
fullness is framed on each side by
cascaded arrangement of accordion
pleated chiffon edged with the lace,
which gives a very full effect like
ruche, the trimming narrowing to
point as it reaches the waist. One full
puff edged with the airy garniture
forms the sleeve. At the waist are
rather wide girdle and many loops
formed on velvet ribbon, with loops of
the same on each shoulder.
The materials shown for the early
Easter costumes range from the
smooth cloths and mixed suitings down
to the pretty lightweight silks, heavier
striped moires. and miroir fleets in
wool. The suitings in checks show the
mixed effect caused by the skillful in
termingling of many threads of differ
ent colors. They are also in the plain
shades of mode, steel blue, silver blue,
silver gray heiiotrope, cadet and the
many other colors that are approved
for spring wear. N the smooth cloths
the rather bright green known as emer-
aid, a somewhat deep but still a bright
blue, reseda, and, of course, black, are
noted. Silks in the plain colors are al
most entirely used for skirts; another
silk, figured or striped, but in harmony,
forming the bodice or jacket basque.
The bolero jacket will obtain for the
spring costumes.
Sleeves are fitted to the shape of the
arm with great care. They are invar-
iably trimmed-oft enest on the Shout
ders, but quite as often the trimming
is placed about each wrist to harmonic
with the shoulder trimming. Lace and
chiffon may be said to lead in the
spring decorations. The trimmed skirt
is a certainty, but skirts are not as
wide, fit smoothly about the hips, and
have the necessary spring starting
from just above the knees.
New very pretty inch-wide squares of
open canvas-like silk that require
taffeta lining are among the novelties
in summer fabrics.
Tiny Paris children wear their skirts
extremely short, either showing a long
silk stocking or the bare knee when the
little socks are preferred. The bare
knee and lace arm is the usual custom
in France. Stockings are generally Of
black silk or fine thread for the day
time, with colored ones to match the
shoes on dress occasions; but white
socks are sometimes seen, and little
boys often wear tan shoes and stock
ings with their daytime clothes. There
is something particularly boyish about
the tan shoes and stockings, and the
little legs do not appear quite as long
in them as they do in the black cover
ing. Some embroidered stockings are
worn with low shoes.
Coats and skirts of tweed and cheviot
are renewing their youth, and instead
of representing a vogue that is at least
a dozen years old. might, judging by
their present very fashionable attitude.
be almost entering on their first sea-
son. Pretty waists of various colors
and designs are provided to wear with
these stylish costumes, and the out-of-
door coat is the only representative Of
weight tweeds and also many fine la
dies cloth skirts are made with three
tucl1s close to the edge of the skirt,
which has. Of course, a smart silk lining
and in very many instances the frilled
underskirt beneath the skirt proper
matches this lining. 1t may possibly
sound like a wearisome repetition to
say once again that smart silk and
Of
are still at the zenith of their popu-
larity. and are likely to remain there,
while for evening wear there is no bod
ice more fashionable than one of tinted
satin, covered with diaphanous mate
rial and trimmed with cascaded fringes
and bands Of iridescent beads.
In dressy evening toilets the pretty
butterfly sleeves are very frequently
made to match the skirt. This is a
charming and economical fashion. easy
to follow, and indefinitely prolonging
the existence Of the corsage. for the
dainty transparency everything the silk
or satin foundation can, when crushed
or soiled, be easily removed and as
easily replaced. while, by a change of
color, a novel effect TO the dress can
ItdQHN De IL, IbT example,
one has been wearing a black chiffon
over rose colored bodice, a chiffon
matching the bodice may be substi-
stuted; or, If tle airy overwaist is only
slightly crushed, a pretty little bolero
jacket of velvet, satin or brocade may
be added. Such an addition should be
chosen with a view to general utility
and also with an eye to it's effect upon
the rest of the gown.
Frocks for children in Paris are very
short up to 10 years; then they cover
the knees, and at IA reach to the boot
tops Pretty dresses for girls of II
are made of fine, strapped silk, trimmed
with lace and velvet. One of pale blue
and white has the full skirt gathered TO
the bodice by a piping or turquoise
blue velvet Strips of velvet and lace
form the yoke and three ruffies, one of
lace, one of the silk, with the middle
one of velvet.
A frock of Irish poplin, in which
there is a deal of emerald green in the