The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-04

1t is nothing less than treason to the
holiday spirit that the stores begin
showing their summer shirt waistings,
even before the first of January, and
while we should still be enjoying the at
tendant festivity. but such is the case.
With the Christmas buying out of the
way the women are ready to turn their
attention to other things, the most inn
portant one being new supply OF
shirtwaists.
In these days of steam heated houses
and heavy. coats it is considered the
swell thing to wear summer waists the
year round. Most of them are made of
piQue, madras and cheviot but many
of the more transparent materials ara
also used, and are exquisitely pretty
with their dainty stocks of contrasting
colors.
Even the wool and silk waists are
nearly all made without Innings this
season to give the full puffy effect
which Is noticeable about the summer
waists. Silk shirtwaists are worn less
this season than ever before. but after
all there is really nothing so comforta-
BILE a silk shirtwaist as ones wraps
slip on and off so easily.
French fiannels and pretty challies
are among the most popular winter
waist materials. and white is the pre-
vailing color.
The development of the shirtwaist is
toward beauty and style and it is said
that the summer waist are to be more
adorable than ever, especially the very
thin ones with their fine tuckings,
applique and embroidery.
Green the Color.
Green in all shades is likely to be the
most fashionable color for the next two
or three months. 1t is combined with
most colors, but principally with white,
black, gray, and brown. A broad
trimmed hat of white felt, worn off the
face, has the brim caught back to the
crown in front by a twisted band of
bright ivy green ribbon, says the Mil
linery Leader Review. One end of this
hon fl7a &c
attached a bunch of pale green mistle-
toe, so as to rest on the brim in front
and opposite to it behind a bunch of
green and white variegated holly with
red berries. Underneath the brim, in
front, the ribbon is drawn I'D into q
large pouf, which is placed on a folded
band of the same.
Another hat, also turned up in front
is made of a soft shape in iron gray
home-spun, entirely stitched over in
rows about half an inch distant from
each other The crown is rather wide
with fiat top, and the hat rests on a
band of gray velvet The trimming con-
sfsts solely of two long and very wide
scimitar-shaped couteaux dyed a bril-
liant parrot green. These are fastened
to the right side of the brim on its edge
so that one curves round over the brirn
toward the left, while the other, follow
Ing the same direction, curves round
underneath over the band.
Use for Old Ribbons.
out of date. Young women have no
time in these busy days to sew carpet
rags and they would not use rag car
pets if they had them.
Long Island family in which there
are several young women turned the
rag carpet idea to account recently in
novel and satisfactory way. Where
there are young women there are likely
to be ribbons in abundance. But the
life of a ribbon is short, and, unless it
be of the lingerie variety, its usefulness
as an article of dress is over when it
has once made acquaintance with soap
and water. These girls, however, saved
their soiled ribbons and when a big pile
has accumulated all were carefully
washed, says the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
They were not ironed, but were stretch
ed tightly round a smooth board and
dried. When all were clean and dry
and smooth the ribbons were cut into
narrow strips of uniform width Some
silk pieces not likely to fray much in
the handling went in with the ribbons.
When all were cut there was a sewing
bee and the ribbons were Joined togeth-
err in exactly the same way as our
grandmothers sewed carpet rags The
sewed strips were wound into pound
balls and enough of them We're made
to provide for seven yards of material
yard wide when it was woven. The
balls went to the weavers and came
back in the shape of two lengths of
yards long.
The result was a pair of odd and
beautiful portieres that suggested ORR
entail drapery- The colors were wen
blended. and as the curtains are likely
to wear a lifetime the inventive young
women are likely to be well paid for
their labor.
The Passing of Orange Blossoms.
Reports of the fashionable weddings
IN England in the last few months seem
TO show that orange blossoms, once an
essential part of the bridal toilet every
where in the British Isles, are declining
in favor with English brides.
One distinguished maiden went to the
altar In St. Georges. London, wearing
wreath of myrtle. another with white
heather and myrtle. several with lilies
of the valley and one or two with the
tiny Marechal Mel roses.
The principal objection raised to or
ange blossoms is that as natural flowers
their perfume is oppressive and brides
dislike the artificial substitutes Bur
love OF ehange and wish to bring 3
little originality into wedding attire
probably has more than anything else