The herald., 1898-03-20

decker'-being edged with tiny rouleau
of white velvet upon which were sewn
black sequins. The neck was adorned with
a high-tabbed collar, faced with the white
velvet, and boasted a cravatte of white
and black striped glace silk. accordion
pleated and clasped with the smartest Of
buckles in jet and turquoise. 1t was quite
an ideal cape for the wear of a smart young
matron, and If the white lining and rou-
leau of velvet be objected to on the score
of economy dullish shade of heliotrope or
a steely gray. the gray with big pre-
ponderance of black in its composition
could be substituted for it, and the cape
lose little or nothing thereby. Indeed. L
am not sure, but that the gray lining, and
so forth, would not be the more dis
tnguished of the two, though 1t would not
of course possess the note of distinctive
smartness which always seems to be in
separable from black and white provided
the latter be- as the modistic slang of the
moment has it, well worn'
Special coats are not quite as much in
evidence as the capes but will always be
preferred by many. The two models we
illustrate are among the prettiest shown.
The coat which at first sight appears to be
braided owes this effect to a stitched band
of light constrasting cloth. 1t is an i'm
portant model and every detail is in the
best style. The second garment issalso a
very elegant one, the effect gained by
mingling cloth in contrasting colors. The
revers of the lighter cloth form epaulettes
and are ornamented by three rows of
stitching. The gauntlet cuffs are also of
the light cloth. Both coats have fitted
backs and small sleeves.
The hats presented this week illustrate
the new ideas. The one worn by the fair
maid in the coat with the revers and
epaulettes combined is lovely color COM
binaton of white and mauve violets and a
black aigrette. The entirely novel hat on
the other Easter girl is a black chip Mar
uuise lined with white, the crown encir-
cled with the palest of La France roses,
and large backbird. glittering with jet
spangles perched on one side. The other
hats explain themselves, while the neck
wear can be constructed by skillful fingers
from the illustration.
A kindly couturere showed me such a
lovely dancing frock to be worn by de-
butsinte of this season. Its material was
ivory silk-the real Japanese silk, which
must not be confounded with Shanghai,
or the ordinary thin makes of the same
material, 1t was not possible, however.
to see much of the original stuff, for the
entire gokn-skirt and bodice alike-was
covered with an application of true lovers
knots embroidered in the palest possible
shade of blue velvet baby ribbon. The
effect thus obtained was charming, and al
a short distance the gown looked like the
most exquisite brocade. This bodice was
pouched, and had, it's decolletage set into
band of the white silk, covered with the
velvet ribbon embroidery. The sleeves
were Georgian in shape, tight-fitting, no
even a soupcon of fulness at the should
ers. and reaching just to the bend OF the
elbow. where they were finished by deer
frills of yelowish lace. sash of palesi
pink chiffon encircled the waist. its long
ends edged with frill composed of innum'
cradle lengths of the pale velvet rlbbor
sewn together knot of pale pink velve
roses was fastened in front of the corsage
and, in place of gloves, black silk mittens
were to be worn. Now, here is dres:
which the home worker or an ordinary
dressmaker could easily accomplish. Vel
vet baby ribbon is a far from expensive
trimming, and a carefully applied trans
fer pattern and pair of clever fingers arr
all that is needed to transform a plair
ivory silk gown into one which would lool
as if it had come straight from that para
disc of dressmakers-Paris. Try it ant
see.
The Georgian sleeves of this frock are o
the fashion of tomorrow and are SAT-
model.