The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-08-24

1t is a most curious fact to notice and
worthy even of a psychological study
in modern life that the middle-aged,
elderly, or old woman has ceased to ex-
list as far as fashions are concerned.
One no longer sees, as in our younger
days, bonnets and staid gowns for
elderly women. The modiste in Paris
who had the courage to display an old
woman's bonnet or old looking hats
would be sure of her affair, and the
dressmaker who devoted his models to
staid gowns would go rapidly into bank
ruptcy.
There is no longer such a thing in
this great world as age. Every one is
young in appearance-that is to say,
dn apparel-and If one Is not one might
as well retire, from a social standpoint.
Grandmothers with grown grandchil-
dren appear in muslins and youthful
hats, while grandfathers give one a
giddy sensation in smart white hannels,
negligee shirts, and other youthful raj
ment which would have scandihzed
people to have seen them wear hardly
ten years ago.
Exceeding fluff1ness is the prevailing
characteristic of the girl of the hour.
Her frilled hat, her frilled parasol, her
frilled muslin gown, and her neck ruff
fle, which is most befrilled of all, COM
bine to create the impression of a hui
man chrysanthemum.
For the present when the sun shines,
all the world OF fashion is wearing
muslin. The up-to-date woman begins
the day in a muslin dressing sacque OF
lace and muslin. Later on she proceeds
to change this for a muslin blouse and
linen skirt, a costume which IN Its
turn is laid aside for a more elaborate
foi1o ~ fri1 a CpJtr
med muslin, while the day Is brought
TO a close in a fluffy muslin tea gown
and a silk muslin dinner dress which is
fullest of all.
We wear muslin hats and skirts as
we'll as blouses, while the latest thing
in wraps is soft muslin coat after the
manner of the taffetas coats which
have been so popular all the spring and
early summer. have just seen most
dainty one of delicate biscuit shade,
which carries broad application OF
Luxieul lace up either side, has deep
collar nearly all lace, and is edged With
lace put on slightly full.
Some of the most successful gowns
of the season are of mauve muslin
They carry the half-mourndng note
which IS the royal decree of the hour.
and although the shades and grada-
tions are many it is MT given to every
one to find the happy tone. Mauve,
am beginning to think is monopoly OF
the neutral-tinted woman who Is neither
brunei nor blonde. And plain mauve
muslin without any disturbing influ-
ence by way of pattering has. Wnen
well made, an air of distinction which
IS all it's own. I met a charming one
at Henley last Sunday, the skirt
whereof bore a quantity of little frou-
frou frills, these gradually working up
from the merest nothing on either side
Of the front to a considerable depth IN
the back. while the front panel. or
breadth, was insect with alternate lines
Of black and white lace. There was the
usual blouse, deliberately inset with
lace. and a broad sash of chine RIB
bon with an edge of black on both sides
was worn around the waist. the ends
after crossing at the back and passing
Through two small fancy buckles, 1al-
inc to the hem of the dress.
It is easy to tell from any toiiet
r-,ather its wearer understands mascu-
,na taste in dress or not. Men do not
Nv much attention to the details OF
81. hit tn nav great attention to the
lines of a toilet as a whole and to Its col
srin.s. It's general effectiveness IS the