The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-03

ARTS. Feb. 2S.-In Paris these
days everybody seems gay and
upon pleasure bent; at least
that is the atmosphere of the
queen of cities" Dull care and
mortality worry and the trials incl
dental te-life, Of course, do have their
being in gay Paree; but like the Chi
nese, the Parisienne laughs and sings
to scare the demon of evil away, for
this little sprite is certainly nowhere in
sight.
There is a sensation of spring every
where. in the shops, the streets, which
are bright with flowers sold by the
vendors at almost every step. and in
the faces of the people you meet. There
is always something invigorating about
Paris. and it is particularly the case at
this time of the year
The Bots de Boulogne is especially
bright in the afternoon with a fashion
able throng of smartly attired men and
women-French officers riding in their
gay uniforms and imposing nurses in
wonderful caps attending their beauti-
fully costumed little charges The Rue
de la Paix is another attractive spot.
with its sparkling jewelry shops and
atelfers of fashion, which madame finds
exceedingly fascinating just now.
tentfon a triie sooner than usual to the
spring modes, and the couturieres are
hurrying on their workpeople, While
most of US are pleasantly dreaming
during these Lenten days Of our spring
and summer wardrobe and longing for
an hour at the dressmalSer
The colors most in evidence for the
coming seasons frocks are purple and
blue. rich wine tone a grayish blue
and nasturtium red not forgetting the
all popular white and creams. Very
pliable thin cloths are to be used en-
tirely. as this soft texture is absolutely
necessary to the hang of the Killed and
gathered skirts and flowing. loose coats
which are the vagaries of fashion at
present.
All kinds of canvas with plain
grounds and shot effects of color over
the surface are made up in coat and
skirt gowns. Silk flannel is another
new fabric made of a mixture of silk
and wool in delicate tones. This mate
rial is capital for shirt waists tea
gowns and indoor toilets. Panette is a
new cloth having a silk face and woolly
back. A dress of this wool in plum col
or trimmed with fine old lace can hard
ly be improved upon. No one is able to
lay down hard and fast rules as to the
cut of skirts. for they are made in all
sorts of ways-elaborately trimmed
with stitching and braid, straps and
tassels or left perfectly plain. But
there are two points concerning the
skirt which we may be certain about.
and that is that they are shorter and
fuller.
The new short skirt is kept fairly
plain around the hips and is beautifully
fitted. falling in graceful plaits and
kits of the same length all the way
round. This new short skirt is worthy
of note. and let me warn the unwary
from attempting to cut one of these af-
fairs themselves, as it requires genius
to manipulate them properly. a long
skirt being far and away easier Of con-
struction.
These skirts are so well cut that, de-
spite the amount of drapery used. any
suggestion of clumsiness is done away
with.
In spite of the shorter length of our
spring skirts, the wise woman viii not
give up her long. trailing draperies for