The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18
4 SPRINGTIDB TROUSSEAD
Some Bewitching Gowns Collected
for an April Bride.
Artistic Possibilities in Fashions
Produced for the Opening Season
snooth-Faccd Cashmcres Fnvoritc
Fabrics-A Lnce Frork the Foun-
dation OF summer Wardrobe.

NEW YORK. March 17.-"Are you
contemplating the artistic possibilities OF a
crazy quilt or has that over indulgent hus-
band of yours been increasing your already
Ebsurdly large dress allowance" inquired
his Van Knckerbocker suspiciously. and
tomewhat enviously as the hostess rose to
receive her with lapful OF ticketed sam
pies.
You are quite on the wrong track re-
piled the mistress of the tea tray. never
theless l am reyelling in bit of great good
luck My niece. my favoritc niece, VINO
lives in the country and trusts implicitly
10 my taste is about TO get married and
as the highest compliment she could pay
me is that Of eaving the selection of her
trousseau in my hands. / am already deep
iu the intricacies of evolving a series of
smart and not over expensive costumes for
her wearing in and after the honeymoon
season.
a white satin marriage dress of course, "
began Mrs. Van Knickerbocker interested
OIL the moment.
We'll. may be-" admitted the hostess.
but I've not got round to that yet;
Everything in a trousseau should properly
be considered before the wedding gown, for
the best inspiration should come last and
as this wedding is to take place in April
otter Easter. I've got an abundance of
leisure in which TO work up the wardrobe
N detail. At this very moment the whole
energies of my mind are bent on elucidat-
ing the problem of three simple but none
he less timely house costumes
thoughts, so to speak, that will serve for
luncheons, and yet they must be applicable
10 outdoor purposes when the occasions
arise, for my niece is not going to wed 4
millionaire.
My first thought has been for a pref
~ mastic tinted cashmere. You know of
course, how mach the smooth faced cash
mere will be worn. and if l am able to
read anything in the shadow that is cast
by coming events. / won't stray very far
from the path of fashionable rectitude by
ordering the skirt draped at one side
and by using embroidery for my decora-
ton. I've taken very close stock of
some of the newest ideas and l find that
pretty application of needlework means
everything.
The skirt of my first masterpiece has
a generous train, and the goods. draped
up one hip slightly. is slit open from
hem to knee and falls back to expose
closely kilt pleated petticoat of the |
sweetest pasted blue crepe de chine. All |
about the edges of the cashmere draperies /
runs a wreath design done in heavy blue /
and cream and mastic silk threads that |
are quite like fine cords and that give |
the result of rich embroidery without the |
expensive labor necessary. The waist of |
this | need hardly tell you is cut in the |
form OF a bolero. at least the jacket fronts /
are, and the whole thing opens upon the |
bust to show front of mastic silk heav-
lily stitched and worked in blue and cream
10 match the design on the skirt
Yes. that is a pretty notion, admit
ted Mrs. Van Knickerbocker, hanging over
her friends shoulder while the outlines |
of The proposed costume were rapidly and
bkillfuily sketched out. Very much used.
however. is a big decorative bow pinned |
on the left lapel OF the jacket. front and |
1t should be bow of blue panne or en-
broidered blue liberty satin or one of the
blue taifeta with mastic tinted chiffon |
drawn over it. You simply have no idea |
what passion bows are going TO be-
come Pretty soon We will wear them
tackled here. there. and everywhere to
our iong-suffering persons. so I advise
you to put one into this design
On II goes. announced the hostess !
and now that you like my first interpre- |
tation OF what smart spring frock should |
be, let me explain my second achievement. |
Ii is a walking dress made of that lovely !
new and inexpensive smooth surfaced |
goods called visiting cloth.
THE skirt OF greyish tapestry green is
laid in three tucks at either side. They
have now strange, new, and entirely at
'ractVe way of tucking skirts that throws |
a panel into the front width a broad box
pleat into the rear. and then there are
side tucks that do not rise so high as the
hips. 1t lends a charming diversity to |
The skirt without rendering it a bit clum-
sy, though / confess | hung fire a long
time between this idea and that of a /
skirt slit up for varying distances from
the ground and then piped with white |
along the cut edges. stitched firmly again |
TO the founda ton and finished at the top |
OF every piped opening by big silk arrow
heads. Well, in the end the peats won |
the day and then I searched brain and |
conscience for an idea applicable to the |
waist and / found it at last on tho back
of a very pretty woman lunching on one |
of the smart hotel restaurants the other |
day.
As adjusted TO my nieces needs this |
smart little body and coat will take the
torm of green close fitting waist of soft. |
thick taIfeta having a collar and big jabot |
of cream lace encrcling the throat and
falling full over the bust to meet that
point where four large inIaid buttons
fasten the waist snugly. Upon this goes |
a captivating little jacket OF cloth to match |
The skirt made with its frunts sliced out |
generously under the arm curved down to |
long points in the centre and carved out |
IN round arch behind. This with its ]
slightly cup shaped collar and its sleeves |
gathered in just a trife on the shoulder |
p'eases one immensely"
Il don't see anything to criticse about |
IT," declared the visitor wandering away |
10 the fire, and it very refreshing on |
this freezing day 10 think of spring things |
I've just been making round of calls. and
all the women on my beat found receiving
in white muslin gowns. That has been |
70 her a fad this winter: the sheerest
ghtcst Swiss and the most cobwebby lace
IS used, and in drawing room, heated to
- degrees and adorned with flowers. the
raiment has the most bewitching
effect particularly il the day is unusually
cold and nasty outside"
Well. what bothers me" answered the
hostess puckering Up her fine white brow,
lis the future Of fringe.
on. II is going TO lie worn mere or
Jess, soothcd Mrs. Van Kniekerbocker
Thy only this morning | saw one of
The sweetest studies in grey and lilac |
for lenten wear and II vcu knoy
4 good thing when you hear of 1t yol'ut
adopt the model 1 am going TO tell YOU
iboGt u TO your nieces needs The gown
refer To was OF the most dove-lile grey
ladies' cloth in spring weight; the skirt
lropped upon a petticoat of lilac silk that
,hoSed 70 advantage through q deepi
LOUNGE OF grey fringe set on in large Icons -
below section Of lattice work made of
'riss-eross bands OF grey bebe velvet III -"
a N EI.ata Mt al 4,