The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
FASHIONS FROM FRANCE
A Correspondent Chats knowingly
of Spring Styles.

The Courts No Longer Create Modes
Simplicity StiII Triumphs-Wbite
Lace Pctticoats - American Shoes
Abroad IL The Newest Sunsbadcs.
PARIS, April 2O-You ask me, my dear,
to give you a thousand and one details
about the budding of the spring fashions.
j shall be very pleased to satisfy your
curiosity quite natural in coquette in
the midst of country life, and far from
the whirl and movement of Paris.
/ must first tell you, however, that the
shocking weather that we have had has
never once left us during February and
March, and has prevented me from adj
miring the sensational creations anywhere
but at the dressmakers which is not al
ways sufficient to enable one to predict
with any certainty the fashions of the
morrow.
II Is pleasant to think that the great
dressmakers cannot altogether impose
fashions on their clients at their good
pleasure. Certainly, they inspire and Gre
ate the models; but how varied they fire.
quently are. differing I'm kind and in style;
the result is that a bold innovation does
not become the fashion until it has been
adopted by some leader of society.
Formerly the Court set the fashions and
everyone bowed to its sway; now it is
enough to hear the remark, My dear,
short sleeves are to be worn, for Nine.
X wears them or to be told by ones
dressmaker that Princess I has Sc
lected a certain color or certain shape
of directory coat, one feels instinctively
inclined in the same direction, as the
name of the princess appears to be
unto of CT | oily these
tails, dear. to explain how it is one must
await the first society functions in Paris,
such as the Concours Hippique, the salon,
and the races before the new fashions are
certainties, until they are ratified by the
leaders of Partisan society.
You must know. however, that we are
to have the lightest and most ethereal
tissues to admire, in soft and subdued
shades, printed veilings. muslins, tamise'
crepons, cambrics and lawns very elab-
crate in details. with small shifting pleats
and incrustations. These will be the main
features of light dresses.
Then there is to be an evolution oil
tailor mades; that is to say, this feml-
nine style is to be more elaborately
trimmed and TO be made of materials
not hitherto used for this purpose; lou
lards, canvases, tamise, and taffetas be
ing used in the makeup of the class OF
tailor-made, rendering them quite new
and becoming.
Dresses in preparation are long and full
round the bottom. and appear as though
the wearer was rolled in an antique drap-
cry, so soft and flexible are the materials
used for this style.
Another thing that will render this sea-
sons fashions extremely pleasing is that,
in spite of the enveloping fuliness of the
skirt, the purity of the line and simplicity
of aspect are maintained, especially in
regard to the bust and hips. If this sim
plicity appears exaggerated, the richness
and refinement of the details continue
Elaborate braids, rare guipureS, 1ncrusta-
lions, and artistic Notwithstanding
has been regarded as too costly to enrich
ladies toilets, and the righteousness has
extended to underlinen, corsets, petit
coats. etc
In regard to these, must tell you that
white petticoats are made to an enormous
extent this season. Some lovely ones are
incrusted with butterflies of lace, rows of
hounces overlapping and cut in indenta-
tons filled with frilled lace founces.
These petticoats, to be in the fashion,
must be extremely fluffy round the bot
tom.
Others, more useful. are made of a wide
linen founce, incrusted with lace and
made up on a ground of bright-colored
taretas-pink, blue, mauve or straw color,
which should be selected to match color |
of the skirt.
TO wear with foulard dresses. many |
petticoats are made of the same material, |
with wide accordion pleats and edged with |
ruches OF muslin TO match; this gives a |
more stylish aspect to the dress, for the |
skirts are so long tnat they nearly always |
have 10 be held up: the richness of the pet |
ticoat, therefore, should never be neglect |
ed. and 1t ought to be always in character |
with that of the dress.
As soon as the fine days set in there |
will be display of colored shoes, which |
have been worn continually on the azure |
coats. Drab and yellow shoes. with |
stockings to match, Will be the most |
worn. Remember, my dear that white |
shoes make the feet look extremely large, |
and should be chosen with the greatest |
judgment.
The fashion of American shoes. SO long, |
thin, and becoming. with high uppers and |
soft, fine soies. has quite taken root in |
the same time quite substantial enough, |
for the soles are made of compressed |
leather. |
Do you want to know all about sun |
shades, which are so original and attract |
I've and are sure of great success? Those |
used today are in the art nouveau" |
style, with handles that are veritable |
maple, rosewood, or mahogany. orna- |
mented with symbolic figures or heraIdic
designs, OF inlaid with pearls. lapis lazuli, |
The bright-colored silk. striking a gay |
note is painted with designs in fresco, |
In Keeping with the style of the "bibelot.' /
for these sunshades are real 'bibelots |
dart"
Before bidding you goodbye. dearest. |
with promise to enter into further de- |
tails when the Concours Hippique enables /
me to do SO. let me answer your question /
on the subject of ornamenting dinner ia |
bles. Certainly, dining tables, even for |
family dinners, are very much trimmed; |
It is a delicate attention to your friends |
to provide feast for the eyes as well as 1
for the taste. Garlands of flowers run |
ming along the cloth, around crystal and |
plate, make lovely trimming for these /
small dinners
Your pretty groups of Dresden china /
would be perfect placed here and there |
In the midst Of flowers At the present |
moment the conventional basket of /
fruit is replaced by small baskets of /
Strawberries. one in front of each guest, |
with the handle decked with narrow rib /
bons of mixed pompadour colors. 1t is a |
novelty and brightens up the table.
Pearls From the sultan.
Miss Marie Sweet. of Denver. daughter /
Of Ma inr Owen i Sweet GnNernnr Of the L