Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-18
DARIs. Jan. 27.-January is not
good time for the fashion ,vritor

nARIS. Jan. 27.-January is not a
4 good time for the fashion writer.
There is SO little new that is au-
thoritative that it makes the task of
presenting something that Is at once
novel and reliable almost an impossible
task. In looking over the field in search
of an inspiration one cannot but be i'm
pressed by the allegiance of society to
paseei coiors; they are still with us and
snow no signs of abatement in popu-
larlty Inc soft, neutral shades are a
reiier after the glaring colors that pre-
ceucd them. Scarlets, jcrimsons and
pihkish nauVe cloth gowns brighten tho
duil winter days. Trimmed with fur
ehese garments are very chic and be-
coming to most faces, as pastel Is more
suDoued than the original shade. As
.rakhan, Persian lamb and broadtail
Trim these pastel garments-that s the
more expensive ones, while stitchinrs
and cordings serve to beautify the sim
pier ones.
PalliettcS arc now seldom seen; in
deed, one of the authorities told me the
olher day that their vogue wasl alto
gether done. The net robes covered
with paillettes are now being relegated
TO the followers not to the leaders. of
fashion However, steel embroidery is
still seen on blouses In the leading
shops. The blouses have slightly
pouched fronts and are trimmed with
httie line embroideries of the steel.
FrlnEcs and fur trimmings are soon
everywhere. painted fringe being n re-
cent novel development in the line OF
trimming. Painted bands of cloth are
also used for dress decoration.
Brocaded fabrics, 1T is predicted. will
De much In demand little later. Chine
or pompadour brocades are both excel
rent materials to have made into even
ing gowns, for their continued popu-
larity may be confidently predicted.
Ihese, made up with satin, lace and q
touch OF fur are very fashionable for
wear at any evening function.
evening gowns of-the- full-dress-
sort that can be easily transformed
into high nccked garments by the ad
dltion or collarettes and plastrons OF
lace, or chiffon and silk. are the econ
om1es of the hour. They have sleeves
OF lace and are cut With square. omen
necks, into which the chiffon or lace
niliigs can he slipped. As the average
woman cannot discard her gowns after
II lew wearnss, this opportunity to
transform dress into apparently sew
crai different costumes is much appre-
ciuteu. for Instance, one may be worn
once quite dccollete; then 1t appears
suppiied with q plated or shlrred chif-
fon plastron and collar. Next it comes
out with mass OF lace in front sun
plying collar ana bodice front, or It
may be furnished with n simple plas-
iron OF lace or velvet over which Is
laid gulpurc lace in one, straight. I'M
broken piece.
a gown that was admirably designed
10 serve the purposes OF change, yet
was sufficiently handsome TO challenge
uohiifation In any of It's transforma-
tons, was Of pink carnation silk trim
med with bands of maroon velvet.
The broad flat collar WAS of gulpurc
lace, around which ran II narrow band
OF the velvet heading. u plated ilouncc
of white chiffon. The bolero was Dor
dercd with velvet and lace, ana the long
sleeves. reaching we'll over the hands.