The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11
Commencement Frocks.
Graduation Gowns.
BY MAY MANToN.

Following the brides Of april come
the sweet girl graduates OF May and
early June. and, wherever any number
of school or college students are ga tn
cred together. the all absorbing topic OF
appropriate gowns is sure to be dis.
cussed. Tho very air teens with en-
thusasm and You will hear more fire.
uuent illusions to mill. organdy. tucks,
frills, etc. than to Euclid or TO Homer,
in spite Of advanced theories and the
exams" that must yet be undergone.
The parting essay. the validictory adj
dress, the salutatioE are all themes OF
moment and Importance. but everyone
Of them takes an added interest when 1t
is to be delivered in dainty gown OF
fiIray white, when the first long skirt is
to be donned and the hair is to be tucked
up. Not the graduates alone, but all
the school is filled with eager interest
and pursues the theme OF dress for white
makes the accepted costume for all the
students and those who make the foil,
so to speak. for their elders who are TO
bid goodbye to- school days, are scarcely
less eager as to what the commencement
frock shall be than are the slightly more
serious girls to whom the occasion brings
a deeper significance
Many things are allowed; many ma
terials are used; a generous range or
choice is possible, but, in spite of all
this freedom, the law Of simplicity must
be obeyed. Handsome silks and costly
laecs will come later. when marriage
bells peal forth; for the present NULL
muslin, lawn, organdy and the like are
under discussion with fine, dainty fand-
work; but little lace and that OF the
simplest obtainable sort. The luxury
that lies hidden beneath may, with pro-
priety, exist. Silk taffeta foundations
yelled with tllinncst cotton are allowed,
but no girl of good taste wears the ma
terials as an outer garment The final
school or college occasion must bear the
stamp of girsh simplicity, must be cele-
brated in sirlish costumes that lack all
evidence Of mature years. mature tastes
Of mature assoCia ton.
Soft null, mousseline. fine Persian
lawn and the like are the favorite ma
terials. but Liberty gauze, Habata1 ana
similar simple silks are allowed. Tucks,
shirrings, hand sewing, lace stitches
make the preferred finish, but simple
laces are used and often with excellent
effect. Style and cut follow the prevail
ing mode but long sleeves are held in
better taste than those Of elbow length
and all bodices must be high. AS pretty
a gown as I have seen, is Of silk null
and is simply shrred. the sole trimming
being found in fine hand-run tucks at
collar and cuffs Of lace. The skirt is
shirred at the upper portion to form a hip
yoke The blouse which closes at the
back is shrred to give L yoke effect and
the sleeves are shrred midway between
the shoulders and the elbows and again
between the elbows and the wrists. Both
the shirred yoke and the sleeves are IN
lined. and at the waist, is to DC worn q
simple sash of louisine ribbon bowed at
tho back The soft, lovely material is
exquisite in texture and takes most fas-
chatting folds, the touches of lace found
in the collar and cliffs provide Just the
contrast needed, and the general effect
is one Of simple elesarca. As II matter
Of course. the foundation is of tancta
md it is yelled WITH on inter-skirt OF
the null to produce the desired soft CT
iast, but these details are not disccrnible
and. tie lovely girii,;nncss OF the gown
renal. 6.
A charming froclz to be worn by an IN