The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-11
FOR FEMININE READERS
WILL AMERICAN WOMEN WEAR
SKIRTS THAT SWEEP STREETS.
Unpleasant Traits Developed by Life
mt Summer Resorts-Club Women
as Seen ON Their Travels.

1t is urged in behalf Of the continued I'M
tidy fashion of the street-sweeping skirt,
that the new heightened jackets and coats
are responsible for it, says the fashion writ
er of the New York Post. A very much
elongated out-of-door coat would certainly
look odd above a. short, all-round walking
skirt. One fashion gives rise to others, hence
the general frightening of skirts; but it
would be far better to shorten the street
wrap or jacket than to add inches to the
street skirt. Regarding the matter OF as
sisting, gratis, the STRENGTHENING depart
ments of our cities, it rests entirely with
the women leaders who control, in a degree
at least, the fashions in this free country
of ours, whether we shall again choose this
most disgusting style of out-of-door attire.
1t is true that to be exactly in the latest
Partisan style there must be street skirts
longer than have been worn. Some of the
handsome weaves in lightweight ladies'
cloth and Vicuna are in princesse style, the
skirt portion very sheath-lke and clinging
about the top on the front and sides until
half way down, then bursting into exuber-
ant waves and folds. The material on the
waist is drawn very smoothly over heavily
boned silk lining, and more than half are
cut low OH the shoulders, with guimpes
above of some rich contrasting material.
To make them less heavy French tailors
in many cases make up cloth princesse
gowns unlined, and many other cloth cos
tunes they complete without the usual
foundation skirt
The substitution of transparent sleeves
for those of heavier material or the supply
ing of sleeves to an evening toilet that one
may suddenly wish to render somewhat less
dressy for afternoon use, is not uncommon,
and certainly economical practice. White
satin sleeves, covered with cream or black
lace or figured silk net, transform waist
whose sleeves were originally plain black.
Surprising color is introduced on the bodice,
that same color will supply a foundation
for the underSleeveS of chiffon net or lace,
and now that we cannot count on the per-
manence OF any fashion, it is absurd to pur-
chase many gowns at one time for, by a
Numbering that trif1eS make as well as mar
matters Sartorial-one can always compass
that variety which every dainty woman
likes to introduce into her attire. Some OF
the new French sleeves are absolutely plain
and tight-tltting, with not even a braid
motif. tiny cap frill, or slight pouf at the
top, others have fiat folds, five or six in
number, as finish to the sleeves, or por-
ton of the slight fullness is shirred or
tucked, the rest left as very small puff.
Flat eqaulets, covering the tops OF the
sleeves, are used in lieu of any other sort
of decoration for giving additional breadth
formed of the dress goods or velvet, or other
trimming, are shirred at the edges, forming
a little half-inch ruffie at the edge and this
is set upon the shoulders, the widest por-
ton at the top, the pointed ends going under
the arms. This semi-puff covers the seam
which joins the sleeve to the bodice. For
women who have rather large arms or
those with very thin ones-who do not look
we'll in the very outlining, tight coat shapes
the best selection by far is the sleeve of
h. ed
in its present modes of adjustment, and so
easily fashioned. If desired, it can be made
to fit the arm very closely from elbow to
wrist, but above the elbow there is ease
and freedom.