The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-14

terials which every woman cannot af-
ford to have.
If the variety in robe dresses already
imported can insure a future for these
specialties they will flourish as they
never have nOuriShed before, but they
always seem to be an uncertain guam
tity somehow, even though they are
lovely to look upon. This, however, IS
probably due to the fact that they are
so marked in style that it is only the
woman with a long purse who can af-
ford to buy them. They are more var
led and beautiful then ever this season,
as many different fabrics have Ventured
into this field. One of the latest novel
ties is a robe of satin-faced cloth hand
painted in a conventional design of
flowers and leaves in the ecru tints. One
thread of heavy white embroidery silk
is couched around the edges of the de-
sign and bits of applique lace are added
a finish for the centre of the flowers.
The effect on pale pink and blue cloth
is very attractive indeed. Something
new in the lace robes is a. fine black
ehantilly lace applique with bands OF
black taffeta silk finished with a very
fine silk cord on the edge. These ex-
tend in the long lines an inch wide to a
little below the knee, coiling in q rOu1d
loop for a finish and below this is a
series of tWO-inch frills of plain black
net edged with a ruche of narrow black
gauze ribbon. This costume is shown
in the illustration with another in white
point d'esprit with scalloped bands Of
white taffeta and a fiounce of lace be-
low.
Something very similar in design
comes in fine lace applique in the cotton
point desprit net. Little plaitings of
net finish it around the hem but the
applique design covers the entire skirt
Robe dress of num- yelling with appli-
cations of lace for decoration are
charming and then there are the new
mousselines silk and cotton mixtures,
with various shaped designs of en-
broidery besides a great variety of fine
cotton batiste robes spotted all over
with varied designs in embroidery.
Striped materials and trimmings
which give the effect of a stripe, are in
great favor, stripes showing up again
among the new ribbons which have
1engthWise stripes of white with
hem-stitched finish on one or both sides.
It is impossible to give and adequate
description of the dainty novelties
which are gradually unfolding their
beauties in the ribbon department. Here
the softest pastel colors are brought out
and the fine thin quality suggests the
most effective SasheS and rosetteS for
thin summer gowns. With such rib
boY1s in sight it is safe to predict that
sashes and how to wear them will be
one Of the problems in dress for the
season about to begin. Soft long saSheS
which fan gracefully at side or direct
" at the back are almost equally be
figures as the long lines add quite a lit
tie to the apparent height, and then if
they are properly and appropriately ap-
piled they have picturesque effect
which is always acceptable for summer
gowns. Fringed ends, or rather ends
finished with fringe. knotted into the
sash itself are a great Improvement
on any other finish, as the weight of
the silk holds the sash down in place.The
softest satin sash ribbons are figured
with flowers, and shadowy butterflies in
the prettiest colors on pale gray and iV
DRY white satin and many of the deli
cate shades as well.
That lace in generous proportions will
be a continued feature of dress goes
without saying, as it still has some part
in almost every costume that is made.
All the tendencies show that it will pre-
vail to a greater extent than ever dur
ing the summer Everything which has
a lace effect whether it is made of cloth,
panne or silk cut out IL guipure de-