The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
JANUARY Shop WINDOWS
They are BillOwy With Spring
Silks and MuslinS.
THE MID-SEAS0N GOWN
AIaddin-Like Renovations That
Change Old Dresses Into Ncw-in
Inspiration That Takes the Form
of n Velvet st-Chiidren
Clothed Like Young Polar bears.

New York, Jan. 2l.-While the air is full
OF snow and sleet and sharp toothed wind,
the shop windows are gay with the prom
Use of spring. There is sort Of shuddery
delight in viewing these lovely, fine-iibred
fabrics, the Tzarines, Dauphines and the
delicate Boucher muslins with their attend
ant ribbons and laces. These three types
of goods with the dimities and the fig
ured English nainsools, are sure 10 lead
all other woven substances in our May
and June estimation. The Dauphine and
Tzarine muslins are dotted Swiss. with
delicate vines and flowers weaving in and
out among the dots. one Of the modes TO
be observed in the makeup OF these is
that of trimming their skirts ind bodices
with frills of plain white Swiss edged with
lace, and among the spring trimmings are
large cards wound with yards and yards OF
fine Carou flouncing of varying widths and
buttonholed in deep scallops along the
edge. This can have but one significance,
and the drossmakers don't deny the pre-
sage of a spring full of scalloped ornamen-
Iation.
The Boucher muslins, or, rather, lawns,
are both new and pretty. They all have
sky blue, silvery, cow-slip-yellow or YER
dant and rosy backgrounds, on which
punches. wreaths and garlands OF wild
flowers are stamped. Another term for
them is Sheperdess muslins, and by far
the sweetest, smartest summer gown you
can now buy is a black Boucher muslin
sprigged over with the most wildly tinted
blossoms of the field. 4 black muslin
picked out in dandelions and apple bios
SONS, and TO be worn with black tulle
hat, all over with the same flowers, is the
sort of costume that will glorify the sum-
mer OF 1899.
There is a season, however, that must be
bridged betwixt January and June, and in
the long, cold months yet before us some
fashions will arise and have day. For
example. progress in the popularity OF
fringes ought TO be reported. A cloth gown
that has been well worn during the au-
tumn can now almost pass as completely
new toilet if il is garnished little with
long fringe. Double curtain-like falls OF
il down the front of a skirt and a kerchief
effect over the shoulders is considered a
happy way of applying il, and the milliners
now furnish up an old hat by running a
line of narrow fringe all around the edge
OF the brim. Another form that fringing
takes is that OF a long embroidered crepe
neckscarf with richly fringed ends and
some Of the most exquisite silk petticoats
show eighteen-inch flounces OF fringe fall
ing over scalloped under ruffle.
There was once day when fashion set
u
en- goods. such as nuns yelling, kybeT
cloth and cashmere. That fashion passed
out too suddenly to reappear and now one
can possess no more valuable dress than
light rose, blue, green or white wool
dress to wear indoors in the afternoon,
and in the evening to the theatre, etc
The names Kyber, etc, have not been re-
tanned, and the fabrics themselves are a
little different, but there is just as much
cause for rejoicing among those who can
wear these goods with grace and profit.
For instance, among the clothes that Miss
Fair has selected for trosseau gowns is a
charming French blue cashmere sprinkled
over with black silk dots OF a variety OF
sizes. Black velvet will be used in the
makeup of the costume, along with the
inevitable tiny fiat gilt buttons that are
80 fashionable and so ornamental.
Whether the idea has French approba-
tion or no We cannot say, but our we'll
dressed women are finding great comfort
in the fashion of wearing with their cloth
skirts rather elaborate waists of velvet.
This is a novelty that should appeal to
thrifty women, for such toilet is persona
grata on all occasions, even for the thea
tire, and is not hugely expensive. a nice
black, ruby-red, dahlia-purple. or sap
phire-blue waist made up with slashed hip
tabs or rounded rear tail, elaborated
with jet and frightened with a cream net
neckscarf Will give distinction 10 the
plainest skirt, and is designed to go with g
skirt of any color.
A dull red velvet body accords with a
dark grey, tan brown or green skirt and
no matter II the skirt is unfashionably
plain and not irreproachable in. cut, it il
overlooked for the sake of its velvet com
panion. Numbers of women wear in tbs
coolest weather no wrap with their fin,
IFT
underwear, and by means of a bit OF necl
fur give the public the impression tina
the velvet waist is in reality a very gor,
geous short coat.
AS time goes on it is apparent that al
the influence Of thought and money Il
brought 10 bear on the dress waist an,
the skirt is left 10 take its beauty from
elegance Of hang and fold. Its draper,
falls chiefly from the abundance OF tn,
waist tails. scarfs jabot ends and what no
that now depend from hip line and shouI.
der.
Young ladies in the evening show theil
great skill in dancing In skirts tha
sweep well cut on the floor In front apt
that are close-fitting and almost unadorn.
ed, save at the foot where they flare aDt
show thick ruche of tulle, or chiffon. Of
lace. Meantime the waists are resplend
ent with lace berthe, embroidered vests Z
whole Series or revers and perhaps wing.
like tails that fall nearly TO the knee be.
hind
Pretty new midwinter suits In black will
turn back from the waist front \ serie
OF revers in green and white, overlapping
or a rich violet-colored cloth displays re
vers faced with mandarin yellow velvet
This play OF tabs and lappets is observe,
In evening dresses. 10 which the sensibI
and always becoming lace berthe has com
back.
II a rich berthe is not TO be had the
something equally pretty is one of sill
muslin or chiffon. cut In deep scallops an,
edged with small violet blossoms. purpI
or pink hyacinth BELLS or delicate gree
smilaX leaves. Another noticeable poin
IN the evening gown is the artful metho
employed 10 show OFF TO advantage n mai
OF nat, dimpled shoulder blades or 10 con
ceal pair of faulty ones. The majority o
ohbcing and dinner gowns are apt TO b
very much more decollete in the rear thal
In front and the approved plan seems I
De the heart-shaped opening, or a lon
and very narrow v.
Children have rarely worn as much fu
as now appears to be essential to thei
comfortable clothing. The smart an
seryiceable coat for a boy under fourtee
Is made of clear navy blue melton wit
revers rolling collar and cuffs of Persia
lamb or astrakhan, or fine racoon skin
With such comfortable wrap, and III
coat drops nearly TO the wearer's heel
and is stoutly frogged over the breast.
cap, not q hat. is worn. a cap OF melto
to match the coat and with its wide turn
ed-up headband of fur 1t is not unlike
Russian cossack's headgear. Cloves wit
dosskin palms. but fur backs and cuff
are considered necessary adjunct Of tn
becoming outdoor wear