The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-10

it hasa deep f1ounce set full on the lower
part, while, to insure the needful elabor-
alton about the HEM, three very narrow
frills are added to the flounce, finely
shirred. and set very close to each other.
These frills aid greatly in producing the
outward flare of the skirt about the feet
which still appears IN all fashionable
gowns.
sOur club is planning some Jolly func-
tions to be held in mid-air with only the
sky and stars for a canopy, said an
enthusiastic young hostess recently; and
she proceeded to tell the plans in con-
temptation for these unique gatherings.
It is asserted that roof parties are the
very latest diversion which the girl who
stays in town is enjoying. They are the
very ~jolliest functions imaginable, and the
best part of them is that one can go in
any sort of an outing suit without feeling
unconventional. Even the jewellers in the
big apartment houses are able to give
these high-in-the-air festivals, and they
have become very popular from the fact
that they are so informal and delightfully."-
novel.
If your roof is. spacious and walled in
by a high parapet, so much the better;
for, of course. one can always imagine
danger if there be only a narrow coping
about the edge. But most Of the roofs
nowadays seem built especially for par
ties, and some of the effects produced by
ambitious hostesses are fairy-like.
You must pick out a night when the
clerk Of the weather will be polite enough
to give you. moon and stars and soft
1.-%n1 - uu.0r -,1,, a - a4ror tha
surface of the roof with rugs or else
stretch a mating over the tin You can
fmprovise touches upon boxes covered
with rugs or bring up a couple of cots and
pile your cushions upon them.
Palms n plants placed about always
add to the effect. and if you wish the place
to look like a little bit of fairyland hang
Chinese lanterns on strings stretched
about the edge. and when they are lit they
will look remarkably pretty. If your roof
is provided with lodges between your
own roof and your n~eighbors' the bricks
can be spread with napkins, and your
refreshments arranged thereon
Almost any sort CT menu is permissible.
but salads, sandwiches. olives, Ice cream
and liquid refreshments of all kinds are
always in order.
Roof parties can be so elaborate that
they will cost quite as much as a more
p%retentsous function, but they are more
enjoyable when they are simply gotten up.
I attended one last week in a swell part
of town, and the aid Of the caterer and
the decorator had been utilized in such
a manner as to produce the effect of a
gorgeous al fresco reception. A gayly
striped awning was stretched across the
part of the roof where the edibles were
spread upon a table loaded with flowers.
A carpet was spread for a lance at one
side, with only the STAIRS for a canopy.
About the entire roof and reaching far
up In a pyramid of light there were lam
terms lit by electric lamps fastened within.
There was a pleasant breeze blowing, and
these many swaying colored lights pro-
duced a beautiful effect. Rich rugs car
! peted the root surface. and flags were
draped about the high coping.
This party was given on the roof of a
large hotel and was such a success that
a number of similar ones have been ar
ranged for. AS a pleasant feature of
town life in summer time there is no
doubt that roof parties will take the lead.
While drawing and dining rooms are ne
cessarily warm during July and August
nights, the roof, which can be made to
combine both, is always swept by cool
breezes, and with the stars or moon over
head is an ideal entertaining place.
In many houses of course it is difficult
to obtain free access to the roof, and in
rented houses the renter will not want
to nave the expense of arranging doors
or windows for this convenience, and
landlords of course would deem it unwise
to incur such expense without the prob
ability of harm rather than good result
ing, because of probable damage to the
roof. In many cases, however, there is
an ideal roof awaiting the would-be
hostess with only the cutting down of a
window necessary to form it into a charm
ing party ground. When there is a mod
! erately fat roof over the second story
back buildings, and a window from the
back hall of the third story leading d.
rectly to it, the expense would be very
light in cutting down the window to the
floor of the hall and hanging a glass pam
elled door in its place; then with rugs or
strips of mating arranged on the fiat
roof the moonlight party may be made
a success in the most unassuming little
home.
So
The new bathing suits, says the DRY
Goods Economist. 2 are a decided innova-
ton. for instead of the badly fitted and
~ill-hanglng skirts, and the shapeaess un-
manageable waists for former years, we
now rave a well-cut costume, which am
swers all purposes of usefulness and mod
esty, and is comfortable as we'll.
The most approved material is brillian-
tine in dark colors, with flannel as a close
second. OF course, for those who care
TO have the most comfort and case when
in the water there is nothing like black
satin duchesse. Nothing has such a de-
gree of elegance when dry. and nothing
sheds the water so well, and gives an
appearance of being dry, but as the ma
terial is expensive and does not wear too
well It has never become quite popular.
Many experiments have been tried
toward introducing novelties in bathing
suits in the matters Of color and style, but
they have invariably failed. Black and
dark blue continue TO be in the lead, al
though gray, combined with white, will
be much used this season.
h new skirts fit closely toward the
hips. like the approved street skirts, and
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