The times., 1897-06-27

lation costume, her only demand is that
she be allowed to adjust said costume 10
the prevailing style adopted by her fellow
maids.
In every well-conducted establishment
the correct dress of the waitress or parlor
maid is a matter of distinct Importance;
but aside from the few cast-iron rules as
10 the cut Of the dress, color, etc, the
maid Is privileged TO follow the very latest
fashion ia collars and cuffs, and caps and
aprons. The maid of the fashionable
household is as particular about the length
OF her apron, the size OF her cap, and the
width of her cuffs as her mistress is OF the
cut Of her tailor gown or the latest caprice
in Partisan millinery.
The fashions this spring are all for
light material rather elaborately made
up. The stiffy starched Irish linen, so
fashionable year ago, is no longer worn
either 10y parlor or nursery maid, and in
the newest display OF expensive goods
for maids wear muslin and even cambrc
are rarely shown.
Lawn is the preferred material this
season for the snowy apron and dainty
cap.
The most expensive, beautiful and dura-
reach to the bottom Of the fTock, aIe very
wide and carefully sewed by hand. The
six-inch foot hem and the three-inch hem
at the sides are deftl y hemsttched. The ties.
which always measure the width OF the foot
hem, are also hemstitched. II there are
tucks in the apron they, too, are put IN with
the same display of pretty needlework.
The maids cap, which must never be
confounded with the large mob cap worn
by the cook, or with the narrow bands
with large streamers, which are the nursery
maids dainty in sigma, is tiny, CO.
quettish bit of lawn and lace set well ON
the front of the head.
This year there are two distinct styles,
one four-inch square of lawn and insert
ing, edged with a smart quilting oflace, and
the other cut like an uneven triangIe-that
is, WITH two sides four inches long, and one
seven inches long, the latter side fitting
about the coil of the hair
The second design is also made of lawn
and Valencennes and finished with the
same narrow, stiff, little frll. There are
NO ends wom with the maids cap.
IL goes without saying that this truly
Frenchy bit of headgear must always be
immaculate in its freshness and worn over
If it does not cause an entire collapse
of the domestic economy, the maid should
be requested to do her hair in plain bands,
without curls or friZzies An average head
of hair, parted and drawn smoothly back
into a braided COIL is becoming to any
fresh, young face. and is an attractive set
ting for the white frilied cap.
There is a distinct change in the fashion
for collars and cuffs this spring. The
old style of flarng linen bands exposing
the front OF the thrDat is entirely super
seded by the new t,araover collar, an inch
and a half wide. attached to u small
chemisette, which holds 1t neatly in place.
The collar fits close about the throat, and
is fastened with a small single stud.
Turnover cuffs match the collar exactly,
aud fit close about the wrist of the long,
rather scant sleeve.
Fine henstitched collars and cuffs are
sometimes worn TO match fancy apron,
but the perfectly plain bands have the
preference for both morning and afternoon
wear.