The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-16
ADVANCE MODELS AND
TENDENCIES IN DRESS
Bv MAY MANTON.
and roses

No where can one study advance styles
! and ponder upon indications more salts
factorily than costly seated in Metro
politan theatre OF the better class. Not
the actresses alone, but both they ana the
audience provide ample opportunity and
spread before the observer all that IS
newest, If not best. AT a recent lmpor-
.dnt occasion l was impressed afresh
it'll how completely the stage is in adj
ance, and set to thinking bit as l
| watched the efforts of one OF our best
trained stock companies. The audience
was brilliant. White and pale-tinted
gowns predominated. Transparent yokes
| and elbow sleeves meet one at every turn
| Undeniably the women were all wei
dressed and made a showing difficult to
Guido.
| The performers outshone them only in
| being bit further in advance in the cut
| OF their skirts and the arrangement OF
| their coiffeurs, Yet, in spite of the
| beauty and the splendor. there seemed
much that might be criticised and | noted
| again and again how far from grace
were many walks, how foolishly the
| women on the stage sacrificed freedom OF
| movement to advance styles, how unW1se-
| ~ many of the audience had blindly
| followed some prevailing fad, how far
! from many minds had been that oft re-
peated truth, that suitability to the in
| dividual alone makes distinction and true
| smartness. In one box sat a girl, pretty
| and attractive as need be, Gowned IN pale
! blue with stripes of white lace Her
sleeves We're in elbow length and she was
| wearing black suede gloves that met
| them. The first impression nlaue was
| that Of d figure without forearms. OF
some dcformity that called for pity and
| tender coincidence Against the back
| sround of the box the black gloves dis
| appeared from view. In some way the
| arms seemed to cease when the elbows
| were reached
| 1t was not until their owner moved
and adjusted her picture hat that quite
| realized wherein the defect lay. What no
| ton or what whm possessed her to wear
| black in place of white gloves, l do not
| know, but l can safely assert that the
| effect was curious and bizarre. Many
| white and pale-tinted cloths were worn.
| The greater number were really beautiful
and made a charming effect
| One, that I noted specially showed
graduated stitched bands on the skirt,
and a hip effect formed by tinyatucks With
| it was a blouse bodice with open front
! which revealed a full front of chiffon
md tiny vest of blue panne stitched. On
! he stage skirts were less successful.
Almost without exception they showed
| habit backs, and habit backs of an
| exaggerated sort. AS sat and
| watched those women trained to walk
with all possible grace. and noted how
ungainIy they often were, my heart mis-
gave me- While it is doubtful if any such
| extreme style will gain a hold. the habit
| back is here and must needs be treated Sc
| iousy in view of the fact. The stage
-owr.s rave absolutely no opportunity for
movement.
am glad to say that most of the
| models I have seen designed for street
wear are far less lacking in fullness, but
wen they look we'll upon the few alone
Wax figures are never guilty Of walking
or movement of any sort. Many a cos
| tume displayed upon one OF that sister
hood fails to stand the test OF human
| needs. While there are a few ultra
smart women who resemble the one who
assured her dressmaker she didn't need
to walk, she could kick along, there are
! many who are far too wise to willingly
| so outrage every law of grace and beauty
! and it is to them I whisper the hint
| study the gown upon yourself or study
| # with due regard to your own needs.
| Never let the smirk of the wax lady de-
,eive Won else will you surely fare worse
than did the charming women saw upon
! the stage.
| E If habit backs YOU must have, lot them
ne of the ripple sort an be cutie
sure the flare begins in time to allow
your knees to move .'kicking along"
may represent a way out of the difficulty
( one has never used a mirror. one glance
| into a chevaI glass would he enough to
convince the most skeptical that ex-
tremes are for the few alone.
The best methods for spring give evil
7ences of moderation. A much needed
-cform has been executed IN the skirts
l designed for morning and Shaping wear,