Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-01-12
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER.

NEW YORK, Jan, Sit really
seems strange to see people bundled
up in furs shopping for summer gowns
in the middle oil January, but that is
just exactly what Gotham's fashiona-
bles are doing just now.
Winter fabrics that have not been
relegated to back shelves are being
tucked away as rapidly as possible to
make room for the gorgeous array of
muslins, silks, lawns and linens that
are TO be worn next spring and sum
mer
1t goes without saying that these
new materials are daintier and more
effective than ever Such exquisite
colorings Such exquisite designs!
Words really cannot describe them.
Many of the diaphanous fabrics are
selt-trimmed. That is the surface is
covered with groups OF fine tuckings
and plaitings wrouhgt so artistically
that little other decoration is required.
Now is really the time to get eXclu-
siye materials and patterns for later
in the season they will be unobtain-
able. 1t is really necessary for one
TO make these preparations in advance
Tor several reasons. For one thing
iressmakers are hard to secure wnen
summer comes, besides it is the smart
thing to get away 10 the country as
the weather warrants it. Then as the
Lenten season follows Immediately
upon the gaieties of winter. one has
better opportunity of dividing the
hat al
visits to the modistes.
Shirt waists are usually the gar
ments claiming first attention
This year they promise to be more
impressive and distingue than ever.
There will be a greater variety of
rabrics and a wider latitude allowed
in the matter of designs.
However simple a pattern may be
II will be essential to preserve the
feminine elements. Masculine effects
viii be avoided more than ever and
/ ly three designs accepted which be
eak daintiness and grace
A novel shirt waist fabric is flower
.d cretonue. This is as heavy as
French pique with a generous inter
mngling of linen. The flowers are
liminutive and extremely soft in eff
iect. A picturesques dsign has ap-'
piled plaits back and front, the plaits
leins stitched on either edge but not
lown Nat upon the goods The full
less at the front hangs perfectly
round instead of the long effect usu-
lilly observed. Narrow pipings of
plain white cretonne lends chic to the
the high standing collar has turn
over of the same material.
distinguishing feature of the new
est turn-overs is that they have all
increased in depth. In place of the
equation narrow straight or scallop-
al band. there are two elongated
points extending the full width of the
collar and turned away at the ends
to execute all sorts of fanciful effects
Another shirt waist quite as novel
as the cretonne design is in an uncer-
ain shade of green with just enough
4 white east to suggest a linen
hook bindings. This is made quite
plain. but smartly ornamented with
lands of wash embroidery Stimulating
Oriental effects arranged neatly at the
h,bat and Wristbands.
There is every reason to believe
hat this new linen will be extremely
popular for spring and summer wear.
1t comes also in brown. blue. red and
biscuit color. 1t leads itself to almost
every variety of trimming models or
namented with pearl buttons and ap-
plique of black velvet and lace be-
ng equally pretty,
For warmer days there are two
varieties of orEandy and one is apt
to select both in compromise of not
being able to choose one and leave
The other One has the imprint of a
lace medallion, with the soft effect II
Iisse and clinging properties of SILK
he other is crisp. fresk and perky
suggesting dimity. but infinitely fine'.
\ fancy bodice developed in the lat
ter Las a yoke of tucked white nous
seline de sole which extends only
leruss the front and as deep as tn
bust-line. Finishing the yoke is t
band of cream-white Russian insertion
softened by an under layer OF Fl s
wash nets The insertion conutu 5
the outline up to ana over Inc s."hl-
ders. though at the back 1t extends
only along the shoulder seam. This
allows an unbroken effect for the he II.
stItched-tucked orgsndy Falhul
from the yoke over the opening OF th-
bodice is a cascade of white lace cum
trastiug beautifully with the Russ ~
insertions. on either side Of iAe
cascade falling in natural effect lie
lunches of grapes in heavy thread
lace while the opening, though invi-i
BILE, gains contrast by means Of Whte
silk buttons. from which era eil
black and white silk tassels d,",p
The idea of softening the heavy
laces used upon delicate fabrics viii
a foundation piece of net is artistic
and enhances considerably the be..u'y
OF the effect.