The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-06
Paris ArbitcrS of Fashion Decree White SUMMER
But Provide Cfarmnsy Dainty COncetS For Good Dresser
PariS

~ ARIs, May There is no doubt
that the present day pictur-
esqueness of dress viii inspire
the painters of our own time TO
achievements rivaling those of the old
masters OF portraitura. The woman Of
today can sit to the artist in gown OF
old world beauty which has been de-
signed for actual everyday wear and In
grace and charm of costume be quite
the equal of the ladies' whom Romney.
Reynolds and Gainsborough delighted
to paint. / am sure could these old
masters speak to us now they would
acknowledge the immense help they
gained. from the graceful fichus and
quantity wonderful gowns and hats of
their subjects OF course it has always
been possible to assume the old cos
TUNES for occasions, but now they are
ours by right of inheritance and the di-
vine right of the modiste's adaptations.
The girls and young men Of posterity
viii not find their grandmothers look
ing precisely alike. for the stately in
sipidity they we're wont to assume with
the ancient gown viii give place to the
twentieth century up to date smartness
with an old world costume. And how
much more valuable as history will be
canvas of this kindi The other afternoon,
looking into the tea room at the Elysee
palace. I saw a group OF daintily at
tired matrons, any one of whom would
be a fitting representative for a paint
er's palette.
Paris just now seems to be meet
ing ground for a day or so at a time Of
the social forces. At the fashionable
tea rooms everybody meets everybody
else who is either going north, south or
in some attractive direction. I looked
from one group to the other and
thought what a business these social
leaders make Of pleasure.
There is surely no real enjoyment OF
change in stepping from one point of
the map to another and taking with
you the same environment, the same
faces sitting opposite you at table
and the same subject of conversa-
ton discussed in the same words. Still
the merry party of matrons in the tea
rooms seemed to find this sort of thing
very satisfactory. They were talking
in a light and airy fashion about ev-
erything interesting in the world and
gradually came down to that subject
upon which all women talk to one an
3ther with most fervor-clOthes.
That 1t is to be a white summer was
very evident from the number Of gowns
evolved from that emblem of purity
with which each woman had supplied
her wardrobe. One member of the par
~ at the time was wearing the smart
est white cloth frock inserted with a
band of cluny lace incrusted upon lawn
relieved with motifs of cream braiding
The front of the skirt. made with a mar
row tablier, fastened at about half
yard from the feet with three large
opal and gold buttons on each side
The bodice had a pointed cape of cloth
edged and inserted with the cluny lace
and lawn opening over a lawn chemi-
sette9 of braideaEbat tiste attached with
buttons of opal and gold like those on
the skirt The sleeves were small at
the shoulders and wide below. the elbow
also being inserted with a wide band of
cluny.
White tub gowns for the summer are
not the simple things they seem. A this
years frock of linen or crash goes
away up in the dollar mark. Indeed.
net and silk dresses are in many in
stances much cheaper. These linens
are fitting exponents Of that simplicity
which is the trend of the present luxu-