Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31
[E1l|lDsEAsoN's
FANClES
IN WOMA'N's
WEAR


N EAR DOROTHY-My week spent {
! with you was pure delight. 1t tor
Ittified me for the tedious undertake
ing to which many of my daily hours
must be consigned. To do my duty by
friendly readers 1 stop in town for the
next fortnight to winnow the wheat
from the chaff of fashion that one and
all may be la mode. Would not my
magnanimity be overwhelming if one
could forget the jingling. coin associate,
which lashes me into the fashion
writer's parade?
Fresh from the workrooms of Berlin,
Vienna, London and, last but not least,
capricious Paris stalk untenanted
gowns equally fit for grande dame, or
the newer aristocrat, Miss America.
My enthusiasm grows a. trifle less as
sertive on paper, but within the four
walls of Felice. Ruby or Philomenes
establishments uncurb my ecstasy 10
use adjectives of the superlatiVe degree.
Likewise I worshiped extravaganza IN
the dimly lit empire room where
fingered lovingly over laces and satins,
soft woods gorgeously embroidered, fig
l1red chantilly laces and comet ribbon
rosettes the while Toasted mine eyes
enough to eat with spoon.
1 The new skirt preserves the habit
lback and close fitting sides, but adds
beauty and grace by much more flow
ing contour. For example, 1T Will meas
ire AZ inches about the hips and five
Wards around the bottom, gradually
hcquiring this conspicuous wealth OF
cloth. No disposition toward decreas-
ing the length of trailing skirts Is yet
visible. For carriage, street and indoor
twear, we are to be heavily harnessed
or daintily shackled, as occasion de-
imands. with sweeping breadths which
Require the manipulation of master
hand. This is for autumn.
Now for the real sartorial sensation!
In the not far distant springtime Dol
ny Warden draperies and painters VIII
'tigreet you in the thoroughfares. Take
this kindly hint and do not exhaust
your allowance until you've met frock
{ built on this principle.
~ There Is to be a revival of the pompa-
Idour period, the first intimation of
(which we get by way of Paris through
Tan exquisite frock of pompaflour silk,
sfringe trimmed. Blurred blossoms,
lpink, green and yellow on a white back
ground, are sufficiently decorative to
need no outward assistance, yet an inch
wide fringe borders the deep, oblong
tabs of which the fiounce is composed
and decorates the bodice, developing
two new features-elbow sleeves over
lingerie under ones and the basque
skirt.
And what of the new figure? 1t is be-
Eond the obesely inclined.
An echo of the erstwhile poster craze
il heard in the persistent cry for long,
lat foc a G
absolutely no hips. In producing this
straight effect it is necessary to sac
rifice the small waist, adding in size
from one to two inches. On the Other
hand, a fine. lengthy line is obtained
from shoulder to belt, and another incl
sand half is gained which, from thu
tartists standpoint, is a distinctive tri
Eumph. Shades of Beardsley, but thu
Possibility of this impossible era dawn
ing so early fills my soul with anythin,
Ebut gladness! If you share my feeling
Eon the subject, Dorothy. just come t
town for a day or so and lend yoursel
to conversion by the disciples of thi
ldmpressionistic craze.
The habit back petticoat is regarde
as first aid in producing the ney
figure. They are buyable in silk o
/ washable materials, and, while a lttl
more expensive. because of the care re
quired in their construction, fully war
rant the expenditure.
Trimmings are climbing upward o
skirts, usually stopping at the placke
which the smartest dressmakers con
zeal under jabot of lace or group c
velvet roses.
The Partisan powers will see to
that the bathrooms of autumn are file
not less with beautiful gowns tina
beautiful women. A trick has bee
turned which promises to revolutioniz
color schemes 1t is principally utilize
for party frocks or to subdue trimming
which are thought to be too aggressiv
Necessarily only diaphanous materia
will submit to the treatment. The be-
example of the innovation was illu
trated by white crepe de chine trim
med in butter colored chantilly lac
mounted over coral pink peau de sol
Alone, the contrasts were too strikiI
for harmony's sake, but when pir
tulle was applied to the back of II
crepe and the lace overlaid thickne
each of pink and white tulle, the e
quisite delicacy and warmth impart
was delightful revelation.
Jeweled straps or gold and silv
chains are more favored than flow
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