The Washington weekly post., 1899-06-06

Sleeves are becoming an objective point
IN the costume. This is probably due 10
the extreme tightness Of the skirts, and
;he desire TO increase the width OF the
shoulders as a Counter-balance. Plain
sleeves are becoming only 10 a perfectly
formed woman and hence the efforts OF
ine mOd!s,es 10 Introduce them have fall
cd. Our Illustrations this week show eighs
sleeves, drawn by our artist from eight
imported gowns. The first sleeve com
menCing al the top left hand Of the sketch
Is that OF an apricot CClored satin gown.
II l. cut in a point upon an epaulette OF
gathered mOusseline de sole, The bottom
IS cut out in points upon q pulling OF
mOugseline There is a vine Of embroid
cry at the top. and at the hand. The
second sleeve is that Of plain cashmere
gown, and is made elegant and becoming
BY tuchs. The third sleeves is that Of 4
Y OOl Challie it IS cut in two pleats on
each side under a rCsette; the top is open
upon a pleaung of mousseline de sole,
with small rIches. The fourth sleeve is
that Of a silk pCpln gown. with guipure
insertion, and ruches Of mOusseline. The
fourth sleeve belongs 10 a tailor made
gown. and the fifth is that OF mauve
wool, cut .uJO several parts and fastened
thai Of "a gray pOpinette gown, the edges
finished with ruches Of mousseline de
sole The last sleeve. Of black satin. has
the upper part covered by gUipure, which
Is framed by loops Of ribbon.
/ have written thus fully OF sleeves be
cause III The near future they will form
a SUN more important part Of the gown
than the DO even row.
3Iisfis Tight Skir's
We have Just alluded to the tight skirts.
There is something almost shocking about
the swathiag lines which now so uneqUiv-
Ccally reveal the entire figure OF a fash
ioraple woman. ! have already told you
that she has divested herself of every
| possible mo-scl of inside Grapery. which
! il is given her 10 discard. and wears her
| frocks neat" to quote a big man-mi-
! liner. over combinations or long woven
vests which reach 10 the knee where they
are ioined by lace or silk fiounces.
OF course. this new skirt, titted as il is,
without a single wrinkle over the back,
when trailing foot or two In length over
I green lawn or velvet-pile carpet, is all
| very well: but how about the half-at-
| tempted. half-acCOmplish version of the
/ country dTcSSmdkeT, who Just misses the
! right curves and grows creases in the
/ wrong places? Then indeed the drastic
! denouemeHt is obvious. The new dresses
! in her hands become deeds of disaster
! instead of things of beauty. and there Is
much snashing Of teeth over disappointed
ambitions Women who are compelled by
| the eXigencies of pocket money, or want
/ of il. 10 90 thus far afield for their fash
| ions should they DENY themselves the de-
| light of being in the very latest cry; but
! do they? The answer is obviOus-they do
/ rot.
| 4 noteworthy feature of the moment
| is the eruption of bows all over ones
| frOck. They are dabbed up and down the
skirt, they finish off waistband and fichu,
/ they break forth on the shoulder. So far
l SO good, but a bow, except it appears TO
fasten or finish off anything. is out Of
J place: il should always have a raisOn
detre. Catching uD fichu on the bodice,
or ending off the ceinture. or at the
/ throat. it is a welcome addition, but, at
/ Ia chcd TO the hack Of a Princess robe, or
meandering about a skirt, it is meaning
/ less. A cunning and effective French touch
/ is given to evening dresses in the form of
u large chou and ends of black tulle on
I the left side of the cOrsage, fastened with
a knot and chains of turquoises or Gia-
mOnds. This on a light gown is a daring
finish.