Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-20
MEN MUST NOT READ.
OUR FASHION LETTER ABOUT THE
LATEST MODES.
BUT 1T WILL DELIGHT LADIES.
Laces aud Net Dresses Conspicuous
Among Smart TOIiettes for Summer
Wear-Lace Berthas Revived Some
Dainty Hats and Capes.
written for the Dlspatch.)

AWIIllSn IOE the OlspdlCnJ
NEW YORK, March 19.-Fortunate arr
the possessers Of lace shawls. SO Ions
unavailable, but now Fashions iatsst
within.
They are not, however. TO be worn ex.
clusively as coverings for our shoulders
but as draped overskirts, in the form OF
TUNES and aprons. Those in the Chan
lilly style of lace will be preferred,
though other makes will not be barred.
Both black and white will be used.
When used for shawl-shaped oapes the
lace is lined with thin silk. The seni-
circular shawls are the easiest 10 ar
range as capes. soArfs will also be
used as panellings and for making stoles
for the decoration Of princess gowns and
mantles.
Entire dresses OF lace and of net en-
broidered in spots or in single flowers
will be worn for smart summer and
even toilettes. Robes partly shaped out
and made up, will probably be the favor
ties. These consist OF a shaped skirt
and lengths of embroidered piece net for
the waist and sleeves and of edging for
trimming. Many Of these robes have a
shaped and embroidered piece FOR the
bodice also, making tbs getting up OF
the toilette a comparatively simple thing.
The embroidery or lace work on the
shaped skirt, Is, in nearly all cases, con-
fined to the lower half, and a festoon
runs al around the edge. HI the piece
nets, technically known as laize, there
IS n great variety Of styles and designs.
Aouis XIV. patterns seem to predomi-
nate, however, the true lovers and float
ing ribbon being much used.
Most Of The white and tinted lace, or
laize. is of the guipure order, and will
be used for blouse bodices and fronts in
ivory, cream, hcelle, and ecru.
The Easter season will see the lace
bertha revived. They are already being
sold. gathered, and seved in a narrow
ribbon. ready for sewing to the top Of low
bodices.
Flounces. e~dgings, and insertions are
shown in an immense variety, Brus-
sells. Chantlly, Valenciennes, Venetian.
Genoa, and Flanders points, Bruges.
duchess, Irish crochet. and the Renais-
sance, and LuSeuil braid laces. The
creamy tints, 1t must be remembered,
are preferred both in handmade and imi-
fation lace.
SPRING COATS AND CAPES.
Capes seem 70 be the favorites this
year, and these range from the collar
cites, such as the model published two
weeks ago, 10 the long cape, which falls
well over the hips. The flaring collar
Is used on both. Innings are conspicu-
Gus in color; for instance, black cheviot
capes have lining OF checked black and
yellow. white and heliotrope. black and
red; but the most popular is black and
white.
Blush red, reddish brown, and deep
green cloth capes are very handsome and
so smart looking hat they are suitable
with any toilette. While on the subject
OF capes j must not forget 10 mention
that the three decker" so fashionable
"A few years ago, has again come to the
front. and bids fair 10 be one OF the
most fashionable modes for spring wear.
In fawn or French gray It is very smart,
especially If the latter color be braided
in black and silver. Another equally chic
cape OF this cut, which 1 recently saw.
was fashioned OF dark-blue box cloth. In |
an extremely light make. and braided
with white silk military braid in vary
ing widths. Black and White also COM
bine e~xcellently. and make for smart
ness. A pretty cape shown 10 me the
other day was OF black satin, lined with
white-glace silk, each Of the three
capes-for this. also, was a three
decker"-being edged with a 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 boosted a crayatte
OF white and black striped glace
silk. accordion-pleated, and clasped
with the smartest OF buckles, in jet
and turquoise. II was quite an ideal
cape for the wear Of a smart young
matron, and # the white lining and
rouleau of velvet be objected TO on me
score Of economy, q duflish shade OF
heliotrOpe, or a steely gray; the gray,
with n big preponderance Of black in
its composition. could be substituted for
It, and the cape lose little or nothing
thereby. Indeed, / am not sure but thar
the gray lining and 50 forth would not
be the more distinguished OF the two.
though II would not. Of course. possess
the note Of distinctive smartness. which
always seems 20 be inseparable from
black and white, provided the latter be.
as the modistic slang OF the msment has
81. well worn"
Separate coats are not quite as much an
evidence as the cases. but will always ba
preferred by many. The two models We
illustrate are among the prettiest shown
The coat, which, at first sight appears IN
De braided, owes this effect 10 stitched
band or q Hight contrasting cloth. II Is
an important model and every detail 10
I'm the best style. The second carmen, Is
also a very elegant one, the effect gained
by mingiing cloth in contrasting colors
Tie revers or the lighter cloth form epau
Iettes and are ornamented by three rows
OF stitching. The gauntlet cuffs are also