Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23

of tulle falling over the shoulders gave the
idea that the hair was carelessly arranged
beneath, although it was in reality COM
fortaby coiffured.
A mernaidS gown of green was made
with bodice of mother of pearl. sequins
that had quite the appearance of the scales
to which the traditional mermaiden is en-
titled. The short loose sleeves were trim
med with seaweed, while a girdle of the
seaweed was hung loosely about the waist.
A scarf of gauze was draped over the hips
and similar scarf floated about the Shout
ders.
Denizens of the Deep.
The fancy dress party at which the above
costumes We're worn was altogether novel
iii its way. 1t was given by Partisan wo-
man of fashion recently. The apartments
We're decorated to represent an ocean scene
and the guests were all attired in costumes
to help carry out the idea. There were
present naiads, Lorelei, sirens, water witch
es, sylphs, Undines, mikes. nymphs dry
ads, mermen and mermaidens, Neptune
Amphitrite, tritons. Thetis, Nereus and Do
ris, Nereids, Oceanus and Thetys, Proteus
IeuCothea and Palaemon. Egeria and Cy-
rene. and many other NEUROLOGICAL and
fanciful characters relating to water or the
ocean and represented in costumes near
ly appropriate as the demands of modern
costuming would permit. The decorations
were marine plants, shells and bowls of
gold FISH and great clusters of coral.
These. with many other clever devices.
We're utilized to give piquanCy 10 the scene.
In the dining hall a fountain cast up fiut-
tering jets from the center of a crystal
bowl tha- rose from an embankment of
green on the supper table. Artificial swans
in nlinia ture sailed over the surface of the
water. and gold fish and silver fish swan
about the water and through the fairylike
arches. Electric lights were arranged I'M
derneath the bowls to make the water al
most luminous. The menu consisted largely
of such vands would carry out the idea.
of he q a
success, and / understand that several
other costume balls on the same lines are
being talked of in other circles,
Soft SILK Innings.
Glace silks are said to have seen their
cay as Innings; softer quality has taken
their place. Brocades are Now much used,
and SO, sometimes, are satins, a shade
lighter or darker than the gown being pre-
ferred. The satin is used to make the lower
part of the skirt, with the cloth falling
over it overskirt fashion.
Stitching Is seen on every fabric from
chiffon to velvet. this not alone on gowns
and wraps, but upon millinery. The most
intricate designs are worked out at times,
showing truly artistic eye and skill In
originating and working out the pattern.
TUNES and skirts are sometimes nearly
covered with stitchIngs put on in white
silk or silk of a shade lighter Or darker
than the material of the dress. Sometimes
trimmings.
The hand-painted gown. too is much af-
fected by the rich and fashionable. At
Auteuil not very long ago the Comtesse
de Castellane was much admired in a
gown of gray zibeline. the corsage trimmed
with pieces of cloth cut out in Ieaf-shaped
patterns and painted green and mauve. The
bottom of the skirt boosted a similar dec
Grafton. over the gown was worn a hand
some cloak of chnchilla with long stole
like ends of maUve velvet. The chapeau
was of many velvet and chinchilla and
suited admirably the brunette style of the
chic little American comtesse.
MOdish New Capcs.
Very smart are the new capes, which
fit well to the shoulders. Those long coats
of satiny cloth are now so cut as to ap-
parently lergtben and give slenderness to
the figure. The three-quarter box coats are
much worn for driving. but their popularity
has never been very assured here. They
are stitched a good deal and adorned with
broad revers aud cuffs that fall well over