The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-25

men who fail TO realize how far care in
this direction helps In being well dressed
Sitting in skirt Injuries the shape: lolling
IS reckless folly. One costume cared for
In this particular will give better service
than three heedlessly worn. So far econ
omy Is served by the possession of suit
able indoor GOWNS. In addition lace and
all the deliciously frivolous belongings Of
feminity can only be used at their best
upon the lighter stuffs. and no woman
ever yet failed to become additionally
charming when soft lace and the like be-
came the background. Those French
cousins of ours have always borne this
last fact in mind. To be fascinating is
their aim, and they know better than 10
ignore such valuable aids. Not one of
them all would be without her afternoon
gowns. her tea gowns, and her bewitching
negliges; sooner would she reduce street
costumes to one and renounce various
other luxuries dear to her heart.
This season the afternoon gowns are
lovely in the extreme. Their beauty alone
would be sufficient cause for being. were
no question of service involved Materials
include almost innumerable wool and silk
stuffs, but preference can fairly be said
TO be given the soft clinging sort and 10
crepe effects. The handsomest and most
costly are made from crepe de chine, but
the same material in wool and albatross
are faSorites. while cashmere. nuns
cloth. foulard, and henrietta are all In
equal vogue. Colors know, or should
know. no law but the one of suitability
to the wearer. while pastel shades are
much liked. and all Hodes as well as Rus
sian green's and blues have the favor of
Dame Fashion. Odd waists are as varied
as individual taste, and go to Increase the
variety. but TO be In the height of STYLE.
must harmonize with the skirt. Sharp
contrasts have had their day. 60 much
Of the costume element as is involved in
harmonizing color or touching Is. or
should be. found One OF the most SER
vieeable of the simple gowns Is all cream
camefs hair. IL is charming I'm texture.
drapes TO perfection, and when soiled. can
be cleansed with ease. Astute women or
der the material made with a skirt tucked
at the seams. and a bolero worn over chif
fon or the like. In addition they have
odd waists OF white panne. taffeta. and
mousscline, and so make several changes
with little outlay. When the pure white
is used. some bit of cream lace Is intro
duced TO bring it into harmony with skirt
cream and white being a favorlte. and
rarely beautiful combination. In these
too. bits Of gold are used with singuIarlv
good effect. As / have said again and
again II is not used In masses on the hes,
gowns but as stock and belt 1t makes
charming contrast 10 the white gowns
and is exceedingly chic. Panne. with both
plain and printed designs. is much liked
for the odd waists. and is always hand.
some. As a rule. the design of the blouse
is simple. An exceedingly attractive mod
ei recently completed. is made with the
jaunty bolero OF the material trimmed
only with narrow applique Of Russian
lace. and the simplest peasant waist of
mousseline beneath. Another includes a
Blouse or the panne. with the tiniest bo
lero or the lace. and Il otherwise quite
untrlmmed. SILK waists are often in peas
ant style. made or the tucked material
and chiffon mousseline and liberty silk asa
used in ACCORDION plaits. with boleros =,
lace, Russian point de Venise. or irish
crochet.
Darker gowns show infinite variety
Only one fixed law can fairly be said Ia
exist and that call for trains However
much we may realize the hygienic value
OF short skirts upon the street, we must
have graceful long ones for INDOOR wear
Shopping, business, and whatnot are pro-
sale occupations al best. and call for pFo-
sale dress. Indoor costumes mean the op-
pOrtunlty for grace and personal charm.
Inasmuch as there never yeI lived the
woman TO whom a train failed 10 lead
dignity and grace, 1t is an essential ele-
ment. Skirts may be plain or tucked
iOunced, frilled. or untrimmed They
may be circular. In three cores. FIVE, seven
or nine. but 10 be up 10 date they must
be long. 4 really fascinating gown re-
Gently completed Is OF Henrietta in char
tfeuse green. The skirt is cut In I've