The age-herald., 1900-03-27
As Seen in Birminoham Shops.

summer-lilke fabrics in the pastel shades have been displayed on the counters and maid and matron are already fashiondng pretty frocls, still the display in the chops on yesterday seemed more attractive than usual to the modisCn woman. The shops that had their formal spring opening were thronged with women. and Madame a la Mode was in the height of her glory. The fashions are written of usually in advance Of the season here, but Birmingham mer- chants show their importatons so early in the season that the southern woman real lzes the advantage of purchasing her thin gowns while she is stln wearing her fur boa. The summer fabrics are so attractive, however, that a woman could not be sat isfied yesterday without going into ex- travaganees in the way of numloerless sum- mer gowns
 The pastel shades that mark the summer febrics will make the Easter gatherings assume cloud-llke effect, for the tints l are those of faded blues and pinks and l yellows.
 A popular fabric Is the berege-that is,
 really, the old-fashioned lowered stuff worn l by our grandmothers. A particularly artis-
 tic pattern showed white background over
 which pink chrysanthemums were scat | tered. design of wild roses and pink pop 1 pies was ito be made up for young blonde
 matron, who is having it lined with the l Victoria lawn that is almost soft as the | silk lining and not as expensive. An old rose | silk o-epon was especially designed, and was to be trimmed with black lace and vel vet The ever popular shallies shown in Ithe prevailing tints. while the gingham comes already tucked to be made up into the prettiest of morning frocks design showing a check of green heliatrope and black had tiny black tucks. It was to be trimmed with lace. For more dressy toil- are shown in the pastel shades. The madras comes in exquisite shades with wide stripes in white satin.
 The panne velvet which is to be fashion ble summer fabric, comes with both the
 silk and cotton finish. The hemsttched taffetas are all the rage, and will be made up into dressy waists to be worn with the black skirts of appliqued net or of taffeta. Poplins are to be worn a great deal. They show the couded effects and are trimmed with fringe. A late fabric is the French knots that are like dotted Swiss, except that 1t is in crepe materlal. The crepe de chimes and crinkled silks are to be much worn for afternoon wear. The gowns will continue to be trimmed with lace. Cluny | and Gupure will be combined as duchess | and applique are used on the same gown. l A French material known as the Jacquart | and showing a beautiful design in pastel l blue is to be made up with a touch of pink l velvet.
 The peau de soie for evening wear has a rival this season in fabric known as soleil, that shows softer finish. The rib- bon and lace waists are all the go for hand some evening wear, and there are number of beautiful imported waists in the pastel shades that will be worn with the black skirts. The fashion writers predict white season. but a woman's wardrobe is selected with an eye as to its appropriateness. If her summer is to be spent where her | white gowns can retain their immaculate | ness for two or three occasions, at least l she will be repaid for her extravagancies 1 In white gowns. But no woman's wardrobe l can be complete this summer without sev- l eral of the faintly colored dimities and l other soft fabrics with their tucks and faces. The summer procession of maids | and matrons is to be smartly gowned, how l ever for the woman with even a moderate l purse will find no excuse for not making herself unusually modish The hats are really what women cal dreams. The iR- portations show the Russian turbans, which have been worn by tine extremely modlsh woman during the winter. The brlms are rolled heavily and the trimmings run to fruit
 Russian turban that was particularly | becoming to a golden haired woman had l black mouseline brim, finely tucked, and l around the crown clustered dark polk ber- 1 ries. The black hats are so richly trimmed | with jet and sprangles that they cannot be
 called quiet this season, and are among the
 handsomest creations shown. Virot tur-
 ban was made of black spangled net, about | the crown of which was draped e black
 lace scarf A black feather boa dropped a l little over the brim. The turbans are fre-
 ouently made of applqued lace, and they
 are distinctly smart. The combination of | straw and plaited milne Is very fashion
 able. A hat of these materials showed a
 blending of lilac and grey, with the knotted | scarf caught with jewels A urban of | pastel blue had cluster of yellow roses
 tucked under the brim, and a touch of black
 velvet gave it a decided French air. The
 all over lace turbans are quite the most
 exquisite things shown. The colors in
 straws, tucked taffeta, show the pastel
 shades that harmonize with the gowns,
 and the modest woman in her pastel gown
 and turban will be we'll satisfied with her
 appearance reflected not alone from her
 mirror, but from the eyes of her friends.
 She is going to be @ charming figure when
 Madame La Modiste sends her forth.
 To read of some descriptions of summer
 gowns that will be worn by smart New
 York women Is the same thing as chatting
 with Madame la Modiste; and now that
 thin fabrics are being made up, the follow
 ing description of gowns that are being
 made for New York beauty may assist
 her prototype in Birmingham in the mode | of her summer gown.
 This beauty is one of the shining lights of
 Newport society, and her wardrobe will be
 one of the most beautiful at the great wa- | -,ooo C1Ia hoe rr1,111tna and Ia wT1a