Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-21

ARIS, March 7.-It seems to me
 ~ we are taking time by the fore- lock in the matter of fashions
 here in Paris earlier this sea- son than ever before. ~ There is per feet fever of anxiety abroad as to what to wear and buy in the feminine world, not only for the present, but for months to come. Sufficient unto the day, to my mind would be a more comfortable watchword for the stay at homes, as l hardly anticipate that an entire selling out of materials in the French shops will come to pass in the next few weeks. The woman who waits will have a chance not only of purchasing just what she wants in materials, but the styles themselves will be more assured later.
 For the southbound traveller it is an other proposition, as summery crea- tions for sunny climes" are an abso- lute necessity, Nand one the couturieres meet each year.
 Lent has been depressing us for sev- eral weeks, and my lady, having recov- cred from physical ennui, is now ready for the fray once more, and as the so- cial world is at stapdstill her energy is venting itself thinking about her millinery instead of her sins.
 To be sure, the theater is always a life saving station in the penitential season, and the divine Sarah" has giv- en us another pleasure in her portrayal of Racine's heroine in "Andromaque." Still that was a mere oasis in the des- ert. Plays may come and plays may go, but fashions go on forever, and the present spring styles are even more al- turing than those of former years. our minds will be given good exercise In sartorial gymnastics, jumping from one century to another in the details of single gown. As regards spring cos tunes, in spite of the fact that one sees a number of white and colored flecked tweeds and cloths the popularity of serges and fine face cloths by no means abates. So far the little sack plaited boleros and stole fronted coats share the honors with the pouched bodices and coats, which latter show no signs of extinction.
 In lightweight spring coats quite the gmartest are undoubtedly those which fit either tight or semitight to the fig ure in three-quarter length having cape collars elaborately trimmed with lace and velvet applique. Some of the tweed jackets have a collar and inner vest of plain cloth in 8 contrasting col or and are braided in scroll designs. I
 
 tive copper and oxidized buttons with porcelain centers which decorate most of these jackets. The plaited boleros, falling just to the waist line, are very jaunty and becoming and are finished with innumerable stitchings and strap pings of the material which goes into their makeup, and this is very apt to be some of the canvases or voiles so much in vogue.
 Although the voile is such a beauti- ful material for gowns, it hardly lends itself satisfactorily to the coat, being too thin to stand the necessary press ing.
 Among the many smart black and white costumes one sees there are a number of vivid red and blue cloth frocks which are very chic. These strong, definite shades are quite as pop ular for the moment as the pale colors we have been promised for the later spring months. They are worn with various stoles and are almost uniformly trimmed with braid, tassels or fringe.
 It is inevitable that fashion should