The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-23

Christmas Holidays Give opportun-
ity For Showing Of Wardrobe.

ity For Showing Of Wardrobe
For one thing at least the American
society of woman may give thanks. She
is less hampered than her sisters across
the water. English and German women
do themselves an injustice in their
gOwning by never striving after the at
tractive ideal French women cheaper
themselves by their artiiciality. Wen.
nese women overload themselves with
trimmings and ornaments. The fash
iOnable women of America, having no
traditions to fellow, look for the best
each bazaar has TO offer and combine
the most attractive specialties of other
nations. With her each costume must
be a finished picture, and her person
atty must give it atmosphere If she is
an artist in clothes, she will emphasize
her best features. To ideaIize the real
woman is the highest perfection in
dressing.
Comparatively few women appreciate
the secret of artistic gowning. but the
standard is getting always higher. IN
deed. not a few American women de-
serve credit for displaying their very
best points, in knowing what really suits
them
Mrs. John Jacob Aston. for example.
knows that her patrician, cameo-iISe
beauty Will bear a gown of plain white
satin that would make another woman
look hideous, and she always wears it
whenever possible
Mrs. Oliver Hartman knows that
black best suits her gorgeous oriental
style. and she is seldom seen in any
thing else
The little Countess Castellane has
been transformed by mOdistes from an
almost plain girl into a very smart and
extremely well gowned woman.
Mrs. Clarence Mackay has learned
that a certain eccentricity is her charm,
and she accentuates that quality in
everything she wears. Exaggeration is
her forte, and yet she keeps within the
boundary line of fitness.
The duchess OF Aiarlborough.s wistful
face and 1.-THE figure look best in simple,
quaint clothes. and one gets the i'm
preston that her things suit her per-
fectly
Mrs Curzon. who was Mary Letter.
wears a regal style of gowns and garni-
ture that make her look the thoroughly
queenly type of woman that she is.
Occasionally there are women who
ought to know better, yet who are gro
tesque in their dressing. They dress
like market women, not. like the aristo-
Gratis they really are. Usually one such
woman is to be found in every social
clique Their peculiarities in dress. how
ever. do not seem to affect their pOpu-
larity
The Christmas holidays give a better
opportunity for showing off ones ward
robe to advantage than almost any 9th
er time, for it marks the very height OF
the season. following, in New York thu
horse show, the opera and the largest
events of the society year when the
display is so brilliant that only those
gowns that have character count
The trappings for gaslight wear are q
simple problem as compared with tbs
difficult question Of simple daytime
gowns. The regulation garb of people
who live on the GOLF links or in tbs
saddle is easily disposed of But for the
person who goes about town the ques-
ton of raiment is not so nonchalantly
dismissed. Appare1 for many different
occasions has to be consideration ordi-
nary visiting. daytime entertainments
shopping, walking, driving. football
games, Christmas outings and family
parties, church festivals and all the
events that come with the season. anG