Evening star., 1898-05-28
PIE

another Of "the Canadian route" and re-
vive stories of 1914, when French fashion
dclls were smuggled to London, though
England was locked in a death struggle
with Napoleon. Surely, they say with
such precedents for encouragement, Amer
| lean women will not go 'dowdy.'
The worlds fair made a lean year In
Europe and the war will make another.
| Eut some OF would willingly see the
| impetus to American designs and Ameri-
can manufactures much more marked than
| it Is likely to be. 1t Is all very well to
sprout military braid and buttons, to cycle
| in hussar jackets and kepis, to wear the
tricolor and sport the United States coat
Of arms as belt buckle; but there would
be a good deal more seryiceable, if less
snowy. patriotism in giving the preference
year in and year out to American de
goods of all descriptions. when found equal
ly desirable with the imported"
A year or two ago an English mill owner
told me of an experience with retail dry
sc.ds dealer in his neighbcrhood who
showed him samples of newly received
stuffs from Paris for appreciation.
You can't sell those patterns here" said
the manufacturer.
why not?" asked the retailer.
Because l made 'em, and the designs are
old to all my employees
Domestic VS.. Foreign.
After comparing American and imported
| goods in some lines for the past ten years,
l am Of the opinion that If at any time the
Atlantic ports were closed by blockade for
| any appreciable period, purchasers might
get an object lesson almost surprising
as that received by the English dealer.
| Our makes of the finer dress goods i'm
prove season by season. and would improve
much faster if patriotism gave domestic"
half the glamor of foreign"
Meanwhile preparations for the June we'd
cings indicate little danger Of our going
"doWdy' in consequence of the war. Many
weddings have been hurried up in antici-
patton of movements ito the 'front.'" and
trousseaux finished and still under way
show Strengthening Of the inclination. al
ready obvious during the winter, toward a
little color in the bridal gown. French
papers describe the wedding dress of a
daughter of the Anglo-French Worth as
made in stripes of lace and muslin delicate
ly painted with blue corn flowers. In New
York sashes of colored chiffon have been
added to several dresses, and one costume
of Louis XVI brocade had the design en-
broidered in outline with silver. The bod
ice OF this dress was trimmed with cas-
cades of white mousseine de sole, also EN-
bro1dered with silver.
Favorite Materials.
The favorte materials for the wedding
dress are white brocaded satin, oyster
white satin. white duchesse satin and
white moire. Princess idesigns have be-
come quite usual, but fashion alters the
bridal robes more slowly and less radical
ly than other garments costume not
yet finished is rich ard perhaps too elabor-
ATE II consists of an under-dress with
plain skirt and high bodice of magnificent
white brocade. Over this comes a low
cut princess dress of white satin, open in
front and trimmed with nCuQCeS of BruS-
seis lace, ripping away at the sides. The
bodice fronts cross each other surplice
fashion ard are turned back with lace
cascades. Knots of orange blossoms are
fastened at the waist and catch the veil.
There is short trifin.
A second costume of white brocaded
satin has the bodice trimmed with white
chiffon; garland cof orange blossoms is
fastened on the right shoulder with large
white satin bows, and falls down the left
side of the skirt to the hem. Dresses for
the four bridesmaids are under way at the
same establishment These are of fine white
barege, with the skirt draped on the left
| side to show a petticoat of white silk. The
bodice offers a fichu effect of muslin and
| lace: willow green ribbon is brought for
ward under the arms, knotted at either
side of the b-st, carried down in a v to
| the waist and passed through a large
paste buckle, which also fastens the willow
greeA ribbons. Toques of green and white
chiffon will be worn.
Bridesmaids' Dresses.
The bridesmaids dresses to accompany
the first gown described are of white silk,
spotted with blue and trimmed with blue
chiffon, the blue chiffon hats. are white
plumed. At a pretty country wedding re-
Gently celebrated. the one bridesmaid wore
yellow glace silk with frilled fchus of
white chiffon tied In long sash ends behind
| Her white straw hat was decorated with
y w n arh@f Doll