The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-30

~ EFORE spring styles are fairly
~ launched the shops annually are
Hooded with novelties designed "a
1 rehabilitate much used gowns Never
before i'm the history OF dressmaking
has greater latitude been allowed i'm
Y this respect than al the present mo-
I ment, when bolcros. hchus and handker-
I chief draperics serve the twofold pur-
pose Of paying tribute az fashion S
shrine and masking the defects Of the
/ erstwhile beauteous bodice.
/ The real novelty Of the season is the
| handkerchief drapery a square OF silk
not exceeding 26 inches. fIinged around
| the edge and woven in many designs.
may be converted into a pretty aud
| simple device which entirely transforms
an old bodice. Some of the kerchiefs
arr-Striped. while others are patterned
IN all over floral designs There is just
material enough in each square and
none TO waste. each Of the four points
perfectlng the unique decorative ar
rangement. which is sufficiently simple
90 be copied by the most inexperienced
amateur dressmaker.
Take the silk square and 1T il TO the
bodice at back, letting one point reach
the waist line; fold back the opposite
corner 10 form "a sort Of rolling collar
and cut armholes 10 correspond with
those of the bodice. thereby bringing
the two ends over the bust. Clip the
two corners from these and put. epaulet
fashion. over the shoulders This ef-
fcctively carries ont the vandyke
scheme OF a handkerchief bolero. Per-
sian Grape handkerchiefs are used for
similar decorative purposes, forming
fichus brought low on the shoulders and
knotted on the left one.
In Paris the black satin tie Is worn
with many OF the very smartest frocks
or coats out OF doors and. though. as
a rule. black close 90 the throat Is a dar-
ing choice. il is a relief 10 see some
thing less universally selected than a
closely tucked velve' o. satin vest and
collar and the inevitable row OF pearls
that accompanies such a garniture
Feather boas appear 20 have flown
away, and the throat is much less muf-
lied than Il was, owing 70 the desire Of
every smart woman L. display "A grace
fully dropping outline of shoulder For
the same excellent purpose hugely high
storm collars are far less dominant
thHn they We're Neatly overturned
ones are mounted on the newest coats.
and in the matter OF cravats 10 accom-
pany them besides the black kind. any
amount OF ingenuity is possible. The
prettiest, perhaps. are made OF softly
tinted pearl gray Or damask rose crepe
de chine and worn as Miss Vanbrugh's
photo declares she wears her blue scarf
in 'rhe Gay LORD Quex' but with lor-
ger ends. fringed, OF course and knot
ted at one side OF the waist like a mil
itary sash.
There are surprises every day for
those who are willing To be astounded
and like trying something fresh. and
the skirt is always assailod. Still DO
not think 1t probable that the house
maid pattern will flourish much. though
to so many people winter makes no diff
ference i'm their choice OF fabrics. and
they will order the thinnest ones for
HrrefnOon house gowns, even should
snow be falling II Will, however. be
the accepted novelty for the general
public next summer and Is lovely for
but IL is the possession Of the
exclusive during winter and spring.
Panne velours. the fine cashmeres and |