The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-08
FASHIONS SANNUAL PARADE
The Easter Promenade Along Con-
necticut Avenue.
beautiful Gowns Displayed on the
Thoroughfnre Cosmopolitan
Crowd - Social Leaders Touched
Elbows With Those Less Fortunate

| Dame Fashion in all her regal splen-
dor and glory of spring attire held high
| carnival upon the principal public thor
| oughfares of Washington yesterday after
| neon. Debutantes in their becoming
| gowns, some accompanied by the ever
| wHtchful chaperone. others attended by
male escorts in their sleek silk hats and
| long Prince Alberts. mature matrons in
| their new but more modest garb, and the
other unclassified daughters of Eve, to
| the number of thousands, passed in grand
review along Connecticut Avenue to ad-
mire and be admired.
No regiment of uniformed soldiery with
| officers in gold braid and lace ever trod
the streets of the Capital with prouder
step than Gid that army of feminine pc
destIians which marched between the
hours of and ) o'clock from Dupont Cir
Gle to Farragut Square and return along
that fashionable residence thoroughfare.
1t was society's annual Easter prone
made, and the spectacle was one pleas
ing to look upon.
Women accustomed to riding in vic
torias. and who disdain to mingle with
! the motley throng upon the sidewalks,
yesterday tripped gayly along the smooth
pavements, and brushed elbows with their
less handsomely gowned sisters. 1t was
cosmopolitan crowd, which represented
all classes and conditions, society's fav-
critics and fashions models, department
clerks and shop girls, all dressed in their
Sunday best. so that few could distin-
gush between the stations iE life which
the happy promenaders occupied.
1t was not exactly an ideal day for the
gentle zephyrs of spring had grown into
hlac etc nf ind nd fa Mt
to make walking somewhat laborious.
Hat pins performed useful, as well as or
namental service, and saved many new
Easter bonnet from parting company with
its fair wearer, and following the career
OF kite. Yet otherwise the atmosphere
was balmy and pleasant Old Sol unveil-
ed his smiling face and look down pleas
anuy upon the passing pageant. The
warm beams OF the sun tempered the
chilling wind and afforded comfort to
those who had come out without wraps
in order to better display their fine raj
ment
What Fifth Avenue is TO New York on
a Sunday afternoon, Connecticut Avenue
was to Washington yesterday. 1t was
grand parade where fashion displayed all
the artifice and style of the dressmaker
and milliner.
w TN Inc song OF many DiTOS CnlTplIlB
overhead, the rustic of silken skirts. and
the busy chatter of conversation, prob
ably the texts of morning sermons and
the lesson of the day were in most in
stances forgotten, but these are only
minor formalities of Easter, while the
greater observance of the day is found
in the changes wrought by the fashion
plates. What custom has established for
years was strictly obeyed yesterday.
If envy broodod in any breast she was
kept closely concealed for there was not
a maiden or q matron in all that throng
which sauntered leisurely up and down
the broad highway in the glittering sun
shine but thought that her own indi-
vidual bonnet YVES the most becoming and
her own pretty gown the most stunning
and best fitting of any in all that bril-
liant array of ffnery. Street costume,
unlike ballroom garb. is not to be de-
scribed, save to say that displayed yes
terday was all beautiful and superb.
Up and down the street the pedestrians
moved for three hours, studying de-
signs in millinery, cleaning hints and sug-
gestions for new draperies. with their
handsomely gowned sisters for models.
Finally the shadows began to grow long
er from the west. gradually the ranks of
the promenaders began to thin, society
sought shelter from the evening dew,
which does not harmonize well with
dainty laces and fluffy feathers. the seats
in the public parks and squares became
vacant. and the grand spectacular Easter
pageant on Connecticut Avenue was at an
end.