The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-21
FOR FEMININE READERS
WOMEN WHO FOLLOW THE FASH
IONS ARE STUDYING NEW STYLES.
Tact One of the Most Desirable of So
ciaI POssessions-WOrk for
Clubs-various Suggestions.

The present phase of fashion as it ap-
pears in the shops is as incongruous as
d feverish dream. a sort of whirlwind of
winter furs and diaphanous things for sum-
mer combined, but all the more attractive
for the strlking contrast ii affords, says
a writer in the New York Sun. 1t is like
a promise of spring in midwinter to see
the dainty lawns, embroidered Swiss ging-
hams and colored piques spread out for
inspection, and women are on the outlook
for everything and anything new in the
way of fashions for summer dress. How
ever much a woman may protest against
her sexs reputed love of new clothes. it is
all there If she is true woman, and 1t
really does not matter so much whether the
clothes are for present use or for six
months hence, so long as she can only buy
new things and get ahead of herself in the
accumulation of summer outfit.
Something pretty for waists, and entire
dresses, If you can afford the extravaganza,
is an all-over exquisitely embroidered
batiste in the pale biscuit tints. 1t comes
in charming lace-like patterns, in double
width, with beautiful insertions to match.
Other novelties in batiste are the robe
dresses of white embroidered with pale
colors in bowknot pattern with scalloped
ruffies for finish. Colored batistes are en-
| broidered with white in the same pattern.
The special fad Of the moment is the
| taffeta and China silk squares for separate
| waists. They come in Persian designs in
| an indescribable variety of colors, but
/ some of the most effective are in mixtures
| Of gray, black and white on different
colored plain grounds. which show in
border around the edge frnged fully one
| inch wide In taffeta the squares are large,
two being required for waist, and are
| used in combination with plain taffeta in
| black, white or a color to match the
| ground. This is used for a plated vest.
| from which the fringed corners turn back
| in soft revers, and sometimes for sleeves
| with a cap of the figured silk at the top.
| In the China silk squares three are re-
| quired for a bodice, and they are not
fringed. The pastel tints in the taffeta
| squares are exquisitely soft, while the
China silks show brighter coloring.
Something very charming among the new
| materials is the figured crepe de chine all
in one color. Large flowers overlapping
one another in conventional disorder have
| the appearance of being pressed into the
surface, giving very pretty effect without
| the help OF any variation in c0loring. This
| stuff costs 81 a yard, but it is double width
and very durable, so it is not SO costly as
| 1t seems.
Some of the details of dress which will
| characterize the coming fashions are the
| continued use OK plaits and tucks in every
| conceivable form, and the cape effect
around the shoulders, which will material
| ize in various ways. The prettiest form OF
| the cape effect is deep collar of heavy
| lace falling just bit over the points of the
| shoulders TO give the broad look which the
| new close-ftting sleeve does not supply.
| A little cape or deep collar, made of a
| series of shaped folds of cloth, each edged
lea
| ing, or very narrow fringe which matches
| the cloth in color, is another edition of
| this idea which may be anticipated for the
| new spring gowns. These cape collars and
the short boleroS are evidently manifesto
| tions of fashion to which we can pin our
| faith, as there are no violent revolutions
| in sight within the limits of what is re-
| fined, elegant and stylish. Conspicuous
| and bizarre things are never in good taste
! no matter what the modes may be, and this
| is one of the few periods in dress when
| fashions can be adapted to the individual
| ity OF the wearer without sacrificing any
| style or FORGETTING any desirable feature.
| All the latest models in dressy gowns are
| very much trimmed on me bodice with in
| tricate embroideries of gold and silver
/ thread, silk and chenille and various an
| There is just as much fine tucking with the
| open, work hemstitching between the groups
| as ever, and no doubt this sort Of uecora-
/ ton will be carried over into the summer
| campaign of dress. Extremely simple
gowns are not under consideration just at
| present, even though some gowns have the
| appearance of being comparatively plain.
| Interminable rows of stitching decorate the
| skirts and fancy vests, yokes and revers
| are the leading features of the bodice, while
/ the more dressy gowns absorb every kind
| of decoration in the list. Laces, jeweled
| trimmings, hand embroidery, bands of fur
| and the daintiest plaitings of chiffon make
| up the decoration of the fashionable cloth
| gown. Six seven tucks or folds around
| the hips, beginning five or six inches below
| the waist line. are seen on some OF the
| new skirt models. while others show the
| lengthwise box plaits laid underneath so
that the edges meet on the outside where
| they are either stitched down within ten
| or twelve inches of the hem or caught
| down with silk cord laced across. Side
| plaits all around turning toward the back
| from either side of the front are another
variation of the plated skirt, and the plaits
| are confined by rows of stitching in seal
| Hoped lines running around arranged in
groups with wide spaces between, three be-
| ing sufficient.