The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-05
THE GAY EVENING GOWNS
COLOR EFFECTS IN THESE FROCKs
ARE UNUSUALLY BEAUTIFUL.
Velvet One OF the Popular Materials
and Br0cade Is Again Coming
Into Favor.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-The evening gowns
of the season are marvelously lovely in
color and in texture and so varied as to
mean very nearly all things for all women.
1t is a period Of soft and clinging stuffs,
Of even velvets so woven as to be soft and
pliable In the extreme, but we have all
grades Of weight and thicknesses, neverthe-
less, and are offered choice between plain
material and brocade. between the filmiest
chiffon and velvet, with all the intermedi-
ate grades added to the list 1 think I
have had occasion to state in previous let
tiers that the biggest sartorial gain of
the past decade lies in the improvement in
dyes, but, whether already said or not,
the statement comes so urgently, in view of
these marvellous fabrics of after-dinner
wear, that 1 feel it must be recorded with
out delay. To consider the list of rainbow
colors is to make only a beginning. The
color card Of to-day means no clear de-
markations between blue and purple or
blue and green. makes no distinct dividing
line between red and pink. but shows
shades and gradations innumerable, varia-
tons that mean exquisite tints to which Ii
is impossible to affix any one color name
AS a result evening costumes make feast
for the color-loving eye and afford ample
opportunity for each wearer to look her
best
Black and white are two favorites always
to be found, but as the season advances
their adherents appear to increase in num-
Der and some beautiful creations are seen
both In each alone and in the two COM
bined. Jet is a conspicuous favorite and
bids fair to be a craze. Some OF the hand
soonest gowns in black and In black over
white are so trimmed and every indica-
ton points to extended favor. One of the
handsomest gowns for a matron that the
early season has brought forth appeared
at the opera the other night and serves
admirably well to illustrate my point. The
material is the new black crepe chiffon, that
combines the charms Of both materials, and
the foundation white taffeta yelled with
white chiffon. The outer skirt of black is
cut in nine cores, much fiared and much
trained Round the lower edge is a cir
is a mass of tucks and above this is jet
applique, wide and handsome, in grape
designs, but light in weight, while over
Sesian of which is outlined with Jet The he
bodice, while decollete, deserves special
mention because of it's moderation. this
being a season Of unusual extremes. The
form is the simple one that is slightly
bloused over the belt and the neck is cut
to form a point at the front, its edges
rounding up well over the shoulders and
it is applique of jet like that on the skirt
and the elbow sleeves are slashed and
similarly edged. then fall over full. bout
FAINT frills of white lace that extend mid
way between the elbows and the arms.
The entire effect is a most charming one.
The black over the white gives the COM
bination without crude contrast and the
jet is briDian. and scintillating In the ex-
WHITE STILL POPULAR.
White retains all it's favor and is much
seen in the new satins, as well as in the
many more filmy materials not the brides
alone, but all women making use Of its
beauty. Those dressmakers who are real
artists and recognize the beauty Of line and
| fold make the material up on simple lines,
but many, many founces of lace are seen
and not few are festooned and caught
with chiffon flowers. All the more pliable
materials are made full. Liberty satin is
having great vogue. crepes of all sorts are
| liked and the entire range Of chiffons, laces
| and nets is called into requistion. When
the figure Is sien nd sn,rrin r al, hnd tueKs
| ing effects gained thereby. AS lovely a
| chiffon gown as any l have seen is all
white and a mass OF TINS nne hand work
| is that of a princesse, the deep girdle and
| hip yoke being shirred and meeting to
| form one continuous piece. Below the yoke
| the skirt is accordion plated and is tucked
/ i'm three horizontal groups. The bodice Is
| full with a fiat bertha of point lace. below
| which are two finely plated frills that fall
quite to the girdle and over the arms hall
| way to the elbows, and below these frills
| are flowing sleeves of lace that fall away
1 TO reveal the arms at each movement. The
/ lace sleeves are graceful and are much seer
| in all the thinner sorts. both in this loose
| flowing style and more snugly fitted. Yokes
| berthas whatever makes the finish of the
| neck must extend over the arms TO give
| the necessary length and droop, and be.
meath those the sleeves OF lace are at