The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-03
new SUMMER FABRICS
ALREADY "wAsH GOODS" ARE BE-
ING DISPLAYED BY MERCHANTS.
They Are of Great Variety and I'm.
usual Attractiveness-A' sWhite
Season" Promised.

| Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1-If one were TO
| judge from the appearance of the shops to-
| day he would surely be led to believe that
/ summer is near at hand, that his notion
that Christmas has only just passed is an
error, that he was dreaming when he
| fancied the streets mass of half-melted
/ snow and ice. BY some curious evolution
II has come about that summer fabrics are
TO be shown Immediately after the holiday
/ rush. Somehow January has come to be
month of summer buying, of sales of
dainty cotton and linen stuffs, of shirt
waists made therefrom and of all that per-
tains to the summer wardrobe. Theory
has it that dressmakers fill in the midwin-
ter lull with their making, that wise
| women have learned that the spring brings
its own pressing demand; further, that
Lent is to be planned for and that it's hours
| of quiet are ideal for home sewing. But,
| while L recognize all these statements as
possessing force, while 1 am ready to ad-
NIT their plausibility, ii still remains true
that one needs sunshine and warmth to
make organizes and embroidered muslins,
dimities and lawns attractive in any COM
| polling sense. We may buy, and doubtless
| we shall buy, but genuine enthusiasm will
| not be found until snow disappears and, in
my secret heart, doubt the wisdom of so
general a showing at so early a date.
| However, whether my theory be true or
false, the fact remains. Here. in these
| closing days of the old and opening days of
| the new year. all sorts of lovely materials
for summer wear are being shown and
certain advance styles in shirtwaists have
| appeared. While, no doubt, we shall see
| more and other styles will be added as the
| season advances, sufficient is spread be-
| fore us TO indicate what the styles are to
be, and ample opportunity for interesting
| contemplation is offered.
| Never have such beautiful weayes been
! seen. 1t would seem that to the possbili-
ties of mercerizing there literally is no end.
| In addition, silk and cotton and silk and
| linen are combined in truly fascinating
ways. To call such materials washable is
absurd abs No one thinks k, OF sending them to
cleaned by the dry process or lose their
beauty forevermore; but they are so beau
tiful and alluring that one is quite will
ing to meet the extra cost, or to take such
care Of the garment that 1t can be worn a
season through without soil. Among the
most beautiful silk and cotton grenadne
| known as poptelaise de sole. In addition,
old and familiar friends have taken new
| guises and mercerized fabrics are to be
| found by the score.
MANY BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS.
Among these last cheviots take first place
and are varied and really elegant. White,
with small geometrical figures in color, is
a favorite. In fact, the handsomest have
seen are of that sort. but there seems to
be no law as to design. Stripes and all
over designs have equal place. White takes
precedence of all colors for the handsome
hat .a1a
white will be worn and many tans with
black, with white. and with both are seen.
The cheviots are handsome in the extreme.
Lovely striped designs are woven with the
colored threads passed In and out
The mercerized finish gives a rich
ness and depth of color not pos
sible without. AS matter Of course they
yard, but they are substantial and will
withstand the laundry, coming forth un-
harmed IL ordinary care be taken. For
for shirtwaist gowns of light colors. moth
ing prettier or more attractive could be
asked. AS both figures and stripes will be
every opportunity for suiting the wearer S
needs Slender women can be made to look
less slender, stout women to look more
slim, only let US hope that each will choose
Alright and not change about as they are
so wont to do. Buying gowns for their
beauty alone is dangerous practice.
|
lose sight of their special needs and the de-
mand they create. 1t is the unwise and the
unwary who are led astray and who there
by bring about such direful results. Madras
too, is shown in new forms and with the
beautiful mercerized surface. Some of the
all-over white designs are not handsome.
in my Judgment, they suggest table
linen too nearly to be desirable. but there
are others that are lovely and that appeal
to the best taste There are colors-who
could imagine season without?-but those
4 xu-hi re
claim special notice. There are stripes as
well as scattered designs, and there are
| floral motives well as conventional ones.
White linen, of the heavier sort, known as
butchers, is to have all its former favor
with renewed interest II would seem
Waists hand-embroidered are seen In num-
bers, with every indication of an increase
and the material in color has the combined
merit of style and durability so that there
is every reason to look for general use.
MATERIALS FOR SUITS.
Suiting materials are beautiful and serv-
iceable in one. We may look for season
of smart linens and cottons made with both
jacket and shirtwaist suits. / am told. by
the way, that the more exclusive tailors
and dressmakers are frowning upon these
last. but. believe me. they will be worn
nevertheless. We women are capricious
often foolish and unwise. but once a thor
oughly satisfactory garment is found we
are not likely to let it go. Other and newer
things will come and be worn, but the sim.
! ple severe, satisfying shirtwaist suit will
not easily surrender life. The new fabrics
seem Just suited to their needs Liner
CLEANLINESS. which we knew last year, have
been marvelously improved. linen crash is
shown I'm fascinating forms and the mer-
cerized and plain ducks and vestings are
as smart as anything that could be imag
ined Natural colors are to have great
vogue but blue will be a favorite and many
darker tan shades and browns and blacks
are seen. Black, at first thought, seems
overheating in appearance for summer use
but some OF the ducks and vestings are SC
woven with figures of white or color as tc
relieve that suggestion while remaining dur
able and quiet in tone. novelty, and q
! most welcome one. is etanine and crash
woven with a border i'm colors. AS rule
the founda ton is in the natural color. the
border in dull blues and reds combined t.
give Bulgarian effect. The effect is mos