The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-22

The magnificent spring stock of Fl. p.
WATSON & Co. was thrown open yesterday
to the public for its critical inspection and
throughout the several floors filled with
goods the thousands of people passed and
had naught but praise for what they saw.
Millinery attracted the ladies, for Harris
orchestra was near that department and
there were profuse and elaborate decora-
tions of ferns, palms and Southern smilax.
The hats this season are of all sizes and
shapes, but the trimmings are mostly laces,
ribbons and thin materials, like illusion
and chiffon and fancy straws They are
light in weight. A Shepherdess hat is
large hat of black hair, which droops front
and back, a large plume droops back from
either side and in front is a haring bow
of white taffeta ribbon and cut steel or
nament. Under the brim at the back are
snowballs in the natural tints. A bonnet
has brim puff of shredded wheat lined
with thin jet. The crown is of pearl and
gilt, a burnt orange velvet bow ornaments
one side and holds an aigrette set in jet
wings. A violet toque has brim of flow
ers a crown of velvet and a pompon of
velvet and flowers A cluster of white
camellias holds the pompon at the
back. "A Louise hat of yellow straw is
trimmed in Mechlin frills and yellow lace
A black velvet bow and one black plume
gave particular and effective style to the
hat. Eleven shades of yellow and five of
turquoise announce the seasons colorsI On
the fourth floor were the evening gowns
of nets, appliqued in renaissance lace. Lace
pattern gowns in exquisite designs and all
colors reign supreme. A gown patterned
after a Worth gown of Paris had a yoke
of soft puffed liberty silk with bands of
turquoise velvet and duchesse lace. The
corsage was of white silk net deliberately
embroidered in beads. the leading color be-
ing turquoise and these were mingled with
gilt, pearl and crystal beads The skirt held
a deep embroidery at the hem graduated
in design toward the belt. The girdle of
blue velvet and Jewels completed an ex-
qusite party or ball gown. Point d'esprit
heavily traced with lace and thin materials
with insertions over color offered rich sug-
gestions for the lovely materials shown in
such abundance. The dark room, with cleo
trio lights, gave the exact effect which all
of the new tints and shades in silks will
have when worn in the evening. Novelties
in trimmings and jeweled belts will have
great favor in making a gown handsome
and effective and these H. p. WATSON &
Co. have in the widest variety, so that no
two gowns may be alike. A new berege
for gowns is the softest material in wool
that comes and rivals the down of butter
fly's wing. Rose petal scarfs are the latest
fancy and come in black and colors and
set off a gown in tremendous STYLE Organ
dies are simply delicious and frilled laces
are dreams" of loneliness. Spanish flounce
tailor gowns, braided costumes, silk petit
coats and underwear, and baby caps in
quaint designs that fill a mothers heart
with satisfaction and delight crowd the
rooms. Double faced golf and bicycle
dresses are the latest style adopted by the
New York clubs. The Martha Washington
black taffeta skirts are bound to be popu-
lar with their apron-shaped ruffles from
hem to belt. From huge sleeves the style
has dropped to the skirts and twenty-one
yards may be used in making the new ruff
fled gowns. Everything is silk lined and the
bewidering colors and swish of garments
entrance not only the sight but the hear
ing. The most wonderful productions of art
have not been found too beautiful or too
extravaganza to bring to this city for the
women Of this city desire them and num-
bers of rare pattern hats, tailor-made
gowns. fancy waists and wraps were or
dered yesterday The same display will be
made to-day.