The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-23

Dust Coats OF Pleasing Shapes, Sweat
ers and Sailor Hats Are Features
Of the Seasons Outft.

dings in preparation that will keep many
families in town for several weeks to come.
but that fact does not detract from the
general truth of my statement. Outgoing
trains and steamers are all crowded. Each
day sees many groups depart. But while
all this Is true, and Gotham is rapidly thin
ming out, a general air Of activity still per-
vades the town and well-dressed women
are seen fitting here and there in search
of the wherewithal to finish out the SUN
mer wardrobe, en- route to dressmakers and
modistes and in eager consultation with
dealers of many sorts. Happily or un-
happily. dress long since ceased to be a
simple matter. To be correctly gowneS to-
day means to give thought and time as
well as money and these last days of
spring are apt to be filled to overlooking
with the final details which mean so much.
/ have written in previous letters Of trav-
cling gowns and wraps. With motoring.
as common as 1t has come to be. such men,
ton is hardly complete without some COM
ment on the requirements thereof Speed
and dust, the two inevitable accompani-
ments of horseless travel, make certain
specialties essential. Beautiful, they as
suredly are not, but they make valuable
aids to comfort and even essential TO
health. No one who has ever watched an
enthusiastic motorist and noted the ugly
glasses he must wear. the strange cap. and.
withal, the strained expression of face will
ever contend that this twentieth century
carriage means either beauty or grace;
but 1t is here, and here with intent to re-
main. and can no more be ignored than the
locomotive or the steamship. With due
regard to appearances the designers are
struggling bravely with the problem The
| latest coats are smart and much to be
commended. Loose, ample, of lightweight
silk. Sicilian mohair. ponsee, gloria or
warmth. Being well cut and well made
they mean style as well as use. In general
form they do not differ from dust cloaks
of other Sorts but are bit more prac-
teal and are specially designed to afford
protection from the wind. certain to be created
whatever the temperature may be. Gray,
ecru, brown and blue are favorite colors.
with pongee in its delightful natural tone.
| They are long, they cover the gown, they
include big bishop sleeves and are usually
woman is enabled to keep her gown fresh
and free Of soil.
CAPEs ARE A FEATURE.
| Capes are a feature and are made in vari-
Gus ways. A charming one, that is grace
| full and useful in one, is made of rain-proof
cloth in the lightest weight and includes a
| shoulder cape. high collar and bell sleeves
that are SO designed as to exclude the wind
| and dust, while they can be drawn on with
| ease. Another is Of white linen and in
| cludes triple capes and band trimming of
| Bulgarian embroidery, while still a third is
| OF silk. but. and ALL they Mt closely at
the throat and are well buttoned over
| down the front. The experienced motor
| enthusiast knows better than to trust to
chance, and goes forth prepared to defy
A fnh md vet orc had IN hA
ready for the hotel dinner without change.
| Luggage must be reduced to the minimum.
While the question of weight is not the
vital one 1t is when driving, the aim IL to
reduce the space occupied and to travel as
| lightly as possible. AS consequence be-
meath the long coats are worn simple silks
| in shirtwaist style, linen gowns and the
| like that are not over elaborate for morn
| ing, yet suffice for the dinner il time presses
and change is difficult If not impossible.
| Hats and wells are more curious than at
| tractive. Worn in the uto they at least sug-
| gcst the serviceable. but exhibited in the
| shops are often grotesque. Enthusiasts
| favor visor caps with wells draped at the
| back anS over the ears, but one sees many
| hoods of soft silk and some hats with long
wells of null that effectually conceal the
features and must be intensely hot, Wheth-
| er they mean freedom from dust or do not.
| Our English cousins. who always take their
| sport seriously. wear toques to match the
| ming of the material can be buttoned up
| in quite smart fashion or loosened and
made to form curtain that means protec-
| ton for the back Of the head and neck;
| but so far, few have been seen here. The
| best yet have seen is a fiat hat of straw
with drapery and curtain of white India
SILK. The American woman may be an en-
any other sport, but seldom goes far as
| to neglect the question of appearance. She
| demands to be made attractive and dainty,
whatever her occupation. and seldom fails
| OF accomplishing her end. Auto costumes
| are comparatively new. OF necessity they
are in a constructive stage. but already
there are improvements and we may safely
| look for better things to come.
Among the summer gowns Of general use
/ know nothing newer and more deserving
OF comment than the linens. From being a
simple fabric, simply made. IL has become
a material Of much dignity and is treated
| in many ways. One sees much white or
| cream lace used on the less costly gowns.
| but the more exclusive designers prefer
! self color and dye the trimming TO match
| the gown. Favorite, models are In Princess
style with transparent yokes of lace and
/ insets of the same on the skirt They are
q trife severe and are apt TO be trying when
the figure is not good. but. for that very
reason. are much liked by those who can
wear them with success. The very fact
| that the number must be limited means a
certain distinction for the few who wear
them with success; and. as to them, they
are becoming In the extreme there is every
reason for the vogue. Suits of linen take
| a number of forms. but are smartest when
| most simple. Plain half-length fitted coats
4
the most fashionable in preference to every
other sort. Experience teaches that trim
| ming is often the resource Of lack of skill
Only the best tailors can be trusted 20 give
satisfactory results In these plain styles
while countless cheaper ones can use trim
mings galore. In consequence IL has come
| to be the aim of the leaders to keep their
| linen costumes plain, but to demand that
! tit and finish which never has been and
| never can be copied by any one OF lesser
| skill. Shirt waist gowns too are simple
| but less severe than those male with
coats. Tucks and hand-work make the
| favorite finish with linen lace used sparing-
| ly, IL at all
PRETTY SUMNER SILKS.
Simple summer silks are having great
vogue. Not the foulards and Indias alone.
but those dear stripes and checks in light
weight taffeta that are revival of the
| days when our mothers were young. The
tender gray and white mixtures, the clear
black and white and blue and white checks
are a delight and are made up in various
attractive ways. Shrtwaist models are
favortes for all occasions OF informal
dress. One of the newest. designed for the
softer silks only. is entirely accordion
plated. waist and skirt both. There Is no
trimming save a lace stock and lace cuffs.
! The full plaits are SUFFICIENT In themselves
| and are really charming In these silks tina I
| are so thin and soft that there is no sense
I of overbulk even when treated in this way
Many of them are plated quite TO the belt
| but the best to my mind, are finished with
| shallow skirt yokes that do away with full