Evening star., 1900-02-24
Hints Given in Spring Gowns and
Hats.
SKIRTS WELL FITTED TO THE FIGURE
Beautiful Dresses Worn at Recent
Gatherings.
BOTH PRINCESS AND EMPIRE

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
PARIS, February 10, 1900.
Although i: may seem a trifle early to
talk about spring garments, they are al
ready discussed in the shops. The midsea-
son garments made for the Riviera always
contain hints of what may be expected in
spring gowns and millinery, so that one has
q pretty good idea of what will be favored
for later wear. The shape of the skirt is
not likely to change very much during the
coming season. There has been a good deal
Of talk about gathered skirts, but, for my
part. never had much faith in their pop
ularity. and refrained from exploiting them
until some of the best shops should
riously take them up. Now my conserva-
ttsm shows itself to have been fully just
fed. for the smartest gowns of the leading
houses are of the plated, not of the gath
cred. order. The skirts appear to be fitted
to the figure more gracefully than ever,
and. to tell the truth. nothing that we have
been wearing for long time has been SO
singuiarly graceful this shaped garment.
French women wear the statuesque drap-
cries more discreetly than any other nation.
for they have learned the art of shaping
the figure under the skirt to the best ad-
vantage. wearing light silk and lawn petit
coats smoothed down closely to the upper
part of the body. but with bell-Shaped ruff
fies below to support the skirt in that out
flower morning glory blossom, which 1t
should most nearly resemble. Outdoors a
short. shaped flannel skirt may be worn un-
derneath. silk and wool equestrian tights
being donned for walking or other open
air exercise In the house the fashionable
French woman keeps her house heated to
temperature that permits her to wear
with comfort the lighter lingerie that more
readily adapts itself to the demands of
grace and fashion. No matter how care
fully draped. wooden skirts cannot be given
the curve that fashion demands unless
combined with some firmer fabric such as
silk For this reason many women have for
outdoor wear sets of petticoats of silk
satin moreen, lined with soft flannel
There is. no doubt that flannel for under
wear is trife ancient, but its comfort is
undenlable. Therefore. any enterprisng in
VentOr who can devise a material combin-
ing the Hghtness and plability of silk with
the warmth of flannel will not only win
feminine gratitude, but fortune as well.
Mauves and Grays.
Soft grays and mauves seem to be very
popular for some of the early season toilets
made for Riviera wear. The princess and
even the empire gown, cut with long flow
Ing lines adapted To street wear. are present
tendencies of fashion The empire gown
can scarcely be a very popular one for out
door wear. however. as its many tlraperfes
in a high wind would reduce even the most
d1gnitied Of wearerS to the appearance of
an animated whirlfgig. Long lace tunics
falling from underneath bOleros are much
admired indoor empire effects.
Speaking Of lace reminds me that every
one Is quite charmed with the new idea of
lining lace with chiffon. White chiffon is
the color most often adapted with white or
cream lace. and black chiffon with black
lace However, there have been some ex-
tremely novel and effective experiments
made with white lace over black chiffon
and vice versa Cream chiffon pale pink
delicate orange and lemon also shades