The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-30
written for The Post

(Written for The Post)
Paris, April 16.--The work rooms OF tn
modisles look like snow-drifts, Grea
banks of white materials lie piled upol
the tables and the floors are strewn witt
embroideries, laces and white garniturel
of various kinds
The prediction that It would be a whit
summer has been verified, but in differ
ent way from what was intended. The
white goods, instead Of being tho simple
mulls and lawns are OF more expensive
stuffs and the prospects are that the
| cleaner as well as the modiste will rear
rich harvest.
| One of the beautiful materials is the
| inquired white crepon which is so delicate
as to look like figured gros grain silk.
II has a heavy corded surface scattered
ever which is big fowery design in pure
white silk. Made up this has a curious
raised effect which Is very pleasing. The
flowers and figures come in all colors and
are exquisite in their new peachblow hues
and In the blues and yellows
II is impossible to predict, at the pres
ent moment, the fashionable summer col
or, but 1t looks as II rose were to be as
popular as green was year ago, or pur-
pie the season before. But this is only
a guess. Certain II is that the heavy
crude colors, navy blue, brown, cardinal
and bright green will give place to deli
cate tones that suggest rather than de-
clare.
The crepe de chimes come under the
head of wash goods. as they can bear wa
ter without losing shape and consistency.
The wool varieties have a wiry, wavy
look which makes them something of
novelty They are cool, and, being slight
~ stiff, keep their shape we'll. There is
almost suggestion of cheese cloth in
these wool crepe de chimes. Though the
expense is much greater, francs being
very reasonable.
The silk crepe de chine Is familiar, but
this year 1t comes IN very durabse- Sash
grade, and If made up with wash ribbon,
such as white taffeta, or wash colors, can
be Iaundered many times
1t must De said that the aim Is more FOR
beauty than durability, and one shud-
ders at the extravagant fancies which are
in the shop windows.
There is a decided taste for stripes
These come in every material. Striped
ginghams are very pretty made into shirt
waists and skirts The waist is quite tight
fitting and the skirt Is also snug.
The snGrtest shirt waists are now very
c,ose fitting and are made to order The
modlsles show them with the sleeves fit
ted and the neck completed. but with the
under arm seams left open ready for the
hnal fitting. By this method there Ia
little delay in purchasing.
French women find, as do their Amer-
can sisters that one-half the beauty of the
shirt waist is its availability. There is
no waiting for the comple zen of thu dress
one can see, purchase, put on and wear!
The tight fitting shirt waist which Is
80 snug that 1t must be fitted is kept in
stock in all sizes, cut and basted, ready
to be tried on. 1t can then be sewed and
finished in few hours and the trimming,
which is kept ready made, can also be
put on speedily.
There is great fancy for tucks and this
helps the ready made waist. All these
waists are tucked IN some way usually
down the front, though they show some
extremely pretty shirt waists of striped
goods that have the tucks put on in yoke
form, coming to point in front.
Modistes are making determined et-
fort to revive the mll costume. The sepa-
rate waist and skirt, they declare, is inele-
giant. Nevertheless there are still thou
sands OF these sold every day.
There is a fancy now for making tne
hat to match the shirt waist The ohir,
waists may he OF striped cotton goods
with hat trimmed with the same stripe.
Or the waist may be Of wool goods with
a hat with soft crown of the same ma
terial.
Dotted goods are small this year The
very large dots Of a year ago have been
succeeded by very small dots. The dot
ted mulls are made up over silk goods,
making them very elegant SILK slips
are made by the half dozen and purchased
In lots to be worn under thin summer
dresses.
The silk slips ere of delicate colors.
rose leaf pink, pale slate blue. cream Of
orchid blue heliotrope ana ripe straw
berry These worn under the same thin
gown with ribbons to match, give a won
derful result. French women are en-
ceedingly deft at thus managing materials
ana can do more with three silk slips and
one null gown than many an English
woman can do with three times the NUN
Der OF entire costumes.