The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1901-05-11
FASHION LETTER.
Lady AOdish in Town Topics.

commanus nef own price must be an in
telligent artist who turns out MASTER
pieces. She must be able to make the
most Of all figures; to modify the stout
into graceful lines. and I'll out the an
gles Of the too slender. 1t is not, as in
years gone by, the dressmaker who can
do the most delicate needlework, but
the one who can remake the figure and
artistically conceal natures oversights,
that is sought by the leaders among
we'll gowned women.
Everything depends upon the figure.
just as building does upon it's founda-
ton. and this brings me to subject
that has provoked wide comment during
the last few weeks. All women are
discussing it-some seriously, some de-
risively. 1t is corset filed with com.
pressed air. Whether or not it is prac-
tical remains to be seen. Meanwhile, it
has surely caused a sensation. At first
glance this corset lie simply the usual
long. wasted and never over-pretty
article with which all are familiar, but
on the inside is lining of fine silk rub
Der. Toward the front is an air valve
and cap, go that when the corset lie to be
worn it may be pumped up to the de-
sired proportions. OF course the scheme
seems ridiculous. but is no more 80 than
many other innovations for the embel-
lishment Of women which have been
adopted.
Some eccentric innovations are &C.
cepsed readily by the Modish, and the
crowd follows, while others come grad.
ually, apparently against bitter odds.
The loose-hanging coat, now a feature
Of every woman's outfit, was adopted
at once, possibly because tho men had
already stamped the Raglan with their
approval. This is in strange contrast
with the brave but futile attempt of
some really exclusive houses to popular.
ize the full topped skirt. No doubt it
will succeed in time, but women hate to
give up a becoming mode for one with
so many possible drawbacks, and no one
will deny that the smooth hip effect,
which has held it's own so long, is OK.
ceedingly pretty and vastly becoming
to almost all figures. Now that these
long "April showers" are over We see
the bloesoming forth Of the fashionables
in neck ruffs. Never have these airy
nothings been so greatly in demand.
The handsomest come from one mil.
liner, and are in many instances quite
expensive. The real stunning rufus are
far too costly to ever become common,
and, as they are 30 widely different from
the copied limitations. the very exclusive
have cause for rejoicing.
The most effective are made of fllmy
tulle. and as this is 80 very light it takes
yards and yards to produce the desired
result. A fifty dollar one was made of
alternating black and white tulle
doubled to give it body, and edged with
black velvet ribbon to make it stand out
and we'll away from the head. 1t was
short-one could not expect long enc
at that price-just to encircle the neck.
and was finished at the ends with thick
black velvet ribbons three to three and
q half inches in width, knotted at inter-
walls, and falling to the knees. There
was 80 much Of this ribbon that the ruff
was absolutely heavy, while the tulle
was 80 abundant about the neck as to
be very comfortable, even uncomfort-
ably, warm. Until the cold winds are
over these ruffs will be worn everywhere.
Even in mid summer light colored ones