Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-01
kkEADS are as contagious as mea-
ID sles, sighed Dorothy who stroll

MEADs are as CONTAGIOUS as mea-
- sles," sighed Dorothy, who stroll
ed inthe other afternoon for cup
of chocolate and an almond bar. No
booner does one originate than the idea
Is copied, recopied, etc., and a fad is the
result and an epidemic imminent"
Apropos of these disconsolate remarks,
that sister of mine made me familiar
with several of the latest fads of fash
ION folk which to me were tremendously
Interesting. Her especial grievance con-
Eerned a party frock which had come
pver for wear at the first Assembly, and
with which she intended to win and
hold the fort for the smartest and most
original gown of the season. 1t was her
pwn notion to have mousseline frock
powered all over with violets set about
two inches apart. Madame, to whom she
Entrusted the building of this confec-
lion, numbered other Americans among
her customers and suggested flower
trimmed ball gowns for two of them;
Immediately we have an artificial flow
kr fad extending over tremendous area.
they are applied to scarfs, sashes, .di-
kphanous dresses and stocks for theater
@ear, along with innumerable evening
Gowns beautified by roses, forgetmenots,
enowdrops and narcissus blooms.
f Dorothy's dress is a dream. Under
The mousseline, which is ivory white,
There ssviolet tulle which gives faint
purplish flush we'll according with the
y flowers. On the bodice both green and
violet tulle appear, with a great rope
Of the dainty blossoms fastened to the
left side, hanging free from the waist
line to the edge of her skirt. Triple
bands of violets simulate sleeves and
ehe wears a bracelet of them on her
tight wrist, from which is suspended
finy empire fan composed entirely of
Fiolets. This is in lieu of the conven-
Honal bouquet. The ensemble is very
Fetching and in it may be observed
Several suggestions which might be
utilized by some Of us who do not in
bulge in great extravagances. For in
Stance, the floral bracelet might accom-
pany floral stock and a simple gown
made more pretentious by the addition
of a mousseline sash fringed with flow
ers, while the fan garniture is easily
accomplished and may be used with i'm
punity on many occasions. One Of white
satin covered in pink roses would be
6ainty, and one with border of large
white, yellow or black chrysanthemums
sewed quite on the edge of a fan with
substantial sticks simply gorgeous.
The flower craze has extended to
stock, and lengths of velvet ribbon sub
United to this treatment are prevail
Il ing fancy. can see the simple white
4 muslin frock cot the June days wonder
fully transformed by wearing silken
{ sash with ends covered in flowers.
Women are wearing nets again-not
on the street nor yet indoors where
they may be seen: instead of braiding
the tresses at night the hair is softly
coiled and a heavy meshed net holds it
in place. This is but an indication Of
the hold hygiene has taken upon the
feminine contingent and that it's in
huence is no longer confined to the
nursery management. Air, proper ven
tilation and protection from snarls are
afforded by the net, and the we'll
groomed woman will not be slow to
adopt its use Some mothers, realizing
the benefits to be derived by net wear
ing, are putting them on their little
ones heads as well.
Dorothy tells me in this connection
that nightcaps, too, are having a
vogue some preferring them to the net.
AS compromise she has knitted her
self one of coarse white silk run a rib
bon through and framed her face in a
frill of wash lace. You can't imagine
more picturesque affair, and, as she
wears low necked nightdresses, with
short puff sleeves. the altogether is as
delicious a bit of femininity as ever
came my way.
Among the old fashions revived none
is more pleasing than that of serving
luncheon on the polished table tops
with the use Of mats. Mahogany is, of
course, the most beautiful for the pur-
pose. Much rivalry exists among the
fair sex in the making of mats. EN-
broidered ones are possible to almost
THE COUNTESS cAsTELLAN1