Evening star., 1901-03-05
HANDSOME TOILETS.
Elaborate Gowns Worn by Mrs. VIC
Kinley and Mrs. ROOsevelt.

MANY magnificent society affairs have
been chronicled In Washington, but noun
ing more beautiful than the inaugural pan
taken as a whole, was ever witnessed. Inc
general ensemble of the ball room was
setting that enhanced rather than de'racteu
from the brilliant gowns OF the women anu
the uniforms of the men. There was not
b.rsh line or effect in the great building,
all gold and white, except the deicate rac
ery of green vines and the clusters Oh
American beauty and meteor roses on 'he
huge columns: the strings Of electric Je"eis
that festooned the balconies were scarcey
less brilliant than the superb jewels mat
were so lavishly worn by the spenuidly
gowned women. There were many import
ed gowns and very few that were not lresh
for the event. From the balconies 'Ie
crowd below looked like flower saraeh, III
which carnations and roses snnhoWeIs,
dablias and snowdrops bioomed: Whi'e
was the favorite. 1t was pre-eminehuv
white ball.
dress. few wore high bodices, eXquisiteiy
fashioned, and yet smaller number came
in tailor-made gowns, wearing Dig nats, ,
which the floor committee promptly askeu
To he removed. The men VINO couid. not
support uniforms wore conventional even
ing clothes, content with gorgeous blooms
on the left lapel. Uniforms were plentirul'
however, and they were & never t. lonesoane. nespnse
women loves better than a uniform II mas
not been catalogued. -
The bright blue and gold Of the Tommy
Atkins'' troops Of New York, the brilliant
scarlet Of the other New York regiment,
the gold-corded and shoulder-strapped uni
forms of the veteran officers, along win the
military attaches Of the gubernatorial
guests helped immensely to relieve the
somberness of the dreary dress suit cav
alcade. The gems worn were superb. Dia-
monds were the favorites, but there were
beautiful pearls. many fine opals, runles os
yond price almost and heirloom 1eWelied-
gemmed medallions by the score.
No handsomer gown was worn at the nan
than that of Mrs. Mckinley. II was high
of neck and long Of sleeve, for Mrs. NC,
Kinley's taste is very quiet. The material
was lustrous white satin that would stand
alone. Its shining folds formed long train
flounced with two rows or exquisite rose
point which rounded up the front, meeting
in a cascade. Under this lace fell a deep
fiounce of chiffon-Iuffled satin The front OF
the skirt was eXquisitely embroidered IN
silver and crystal. with rhinestones, nhe
dewdrops, twinkling from the heart OF the
floral design. The bodice had garniture or
rose point with a broad, high collar, which
formed revers in front, opening over
vest of plated chiffon embroidered In the
same beautiful fashion as the skirt, with
silver and rhinestones. The sleeves We're
covered with embroidery of seed pearls ana
srystal and had a fall OF point lace at the
wrist The belt Of seed pearls, mar
rowing from the back to points In front.
About the collar was a diamond necklace
and the point lace Of the bodice was caught
in ripples with pearl and diamond pins In
her waved hair Mrs. Mckinley wore a tiny
white aigrette.
The wife of the Vice President Mrs.
Roosevelt wore one of the severely elegant
toilets of the evening. 1t was rich white
satin also made with a long train, and was
covered in front with fine embroidery OF
silver. the foot having ruffies OF lace bor-
dered with rose plaitings OF chiffon. over
the satin skirt fell a cloud-like drapery Of
French lace caught up with white satin
ribbons. The low corsage had ruchlng or
rare lace with silver and pearl embroidery,
and ribbon loops and knots held by pearl
buckles Mrs. Roosevelt wore a long string
of fine pearls wound several times about
her neck and falling below the waist, to
which was attached an ostrich feather fan
with pearl sticks. She wore in her waved
and pompadoured hair an ostrich feather
tip, caught to her brown locks by a pearl
and diamond crescent Of rare beauty.
Miss Alice Roosevelt. who will figure
debutante next season, was gowned i'm
robes Of soft white chiffon. over white taf-
feta lavishly trimmed with rose plated
ruffies and with white violets in corsage
and hair.
The Cabinet Circle.
Mrs. Gage. white brocaded satin, the skirt
trimmed with a deep fiounce of point lace
pailletted in gold and the bodice with garn,-
ture of lace and green flowers.
Mrs. Root, pale yellow satin. covered with
real lace; diamonds and pearls.
Continued on Tenth Page)