The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-16

so common that they are no longer In
the first favor of fashionable women.
Pearls and emeraldS. rarer and mort
expensive, are now preferred A fact
not known by many women who pride
themselves upon their collection of dia-
mondS. is that the commercial value of
these gems is fictitious and not founded
upon the common law of supply and de-
Tnand- Since the discovery of the Bra
lillian diamond fields it has been learned
that the supply of these Jewels is prac-
ucaHy i~nexnaustible. and if the mine
operators did not keep back the out
put the market would be flooded with
the gems to the extent of decreasing the
profits of the business IS per cent OF
course the fact that almond were
plentiful and cheap would not detracr
from their beauty, but would they be as
Deautlfulsto the eyes of the average wo-
man? AssuredIy not For that matter.
the ordinary observer can not tell the
difference between a genuine diamond
a good imitation, but no woman
wants to wear paste jewels After all.
real beauty is not greatly considered by
women in their personal Il
is a question of the mode, and a fashion
whether lovely or Lideous. becoming or
the reverse, Will be adeoted pity
by the average woman If it has won the
approval of her social superiors.
All the authorities on women,s dress
agree that it is the little things which
count and that in any costume the APP
pdISfllit lIlti31 uSId1fS 90 10 make OF
mar the general effect But in spite of
these fashion p-reachmen.s uliy half
TIE women you see miss being well
dressed for lack Of attention to detail
1t is a much more common mistake than
you might suppose considering how
trifing a saving is involved, for women
to .skimp" on materials. So many
gowns are spoiled for the lack of anotn-
er yard or SO. There was a pretty
foulard on the avenue the other day,
charming as to color, admirably con-
ceived and well made except for one lit
tie defect that spoiled an otherwise per-
feet creation: the skirt was a suspicion
toe narrow about the bottom and
ing tire generous ffaring expanse about
tie feet lacked the most important de-
tail OF the seasons gowns You often
see ruffies which are almost pitiably
"skinlp." and sometimes a skirt just
misses style for lack of another ruff1e
CT a few-inches additional width to the
fiounce The difference in expense is Sc
slight and the difference in the appear
ance sc great that it is hard to under
stand the wearer's motive. Another
fault to be found with the appearance
of many otherwise wen dressed women
is in the cut of their understands. In
gowns of silk or wool which have the
separate. silk lining this defect is not
noticeable but with summer frocks
which are made W without a founda-
ton the p~etticoats worn beneath them
are of the utmost Importance. An old
fashioned short skirt, full about the
hips nd narrow about the bottom can
not fail to spoil the effect of a thin
gown, no matter how well made. This
matter of the foundation-le dessous
as the French say-should not be ne
elected. The petticoat should be shaped
like the skirt and fitted and hung with
equal care.
Wallpaper men, furniture dealers and
all interior decorators say that there is
to be revival of the Dutch and Flemish
influence in the arts devoted to house
hold decoration this fall. The simplicity
and strength of Dutch furnishings are
| their most salient quality and after the
affectation and frivolity of the Louis
styles the solid, sober dignity of the
Dutch style will be most refreshing.
The popular Mission and Arts and
Crafts furniture of the m is a di-
| rect Dutch revival and Flemish pottery
and tapestry have been fashionable for
some time.
An entire covering of natural flower
is the latest idea in table decorations
for l~uncheons. a bare highly polished
table thickly strewn with daffodils-
making a veritable cloth of gold
was used at a luncheon given in New
port recently and the notion was
| promptly accepted as the most engaging
idea introduced in table decorations in
years. A novelty for a summer tea is a
covering of fern caves.
The dropping hat is designed to go
with the low couture and the fancy for
wearing roses in the hair is another
| picturesque fad of the moment in keep
ing. All hats are droopy now and the
long ostrich plume which has been seen
so much all summer will be absolutely
/ essential this winter. The Robin Hood
feather is to be %poDular- Miss Jeanne
Langtry, daughter of the actress, Lily
Langtry, who was recently married in
London, wore a Robin Hood plume,
white, on a white hat, and her photo
graphs in this headgear are so
picturesque that they have done much
to spread the fashion. The Robin Food
plume is worn exactly like that of the
| famous bandit hero in the opera, pulled
down over the hat brim and dropping
to the ear.