The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22

played in such quantity that they plainly
are intended as the material for gowns, not
merely as trimming. This impression is cor
roborated by study of model dresses. in
which are velvets OF the brightest possible
shade. They are handsome get-ups, made
plainly. for the most part, but with trim
ming placed wherever the goods comes next
the wearer's neck, face or arms. And this
trimming serves quite as much to relieve
the skin from too close contact with the
vivid shadings, as Ii does TO ornament the
gown. This point is one that should have
very careful consideration by purchasers.
Few compilations can stand contact with
these brilliant colorings, and none can stand
them all So the intending buyer should
either choose surely one that is safe, or else
have well in mind some general scheme for
fencing herself off from it, The latter pro-
cess can be attained with entire success.
combining stylishness, beauty and an out
lay quite in harmony with the cost of the
fine velvet that may be in the gown itself.
But with the solid color weaves consid-
cred. the story is but begun. Figured vel
vets are several chapters. Those of the sim
pier figuring are noticeable for the same COL
orings shown in the solid goods. The fancy
sorts. which now very numerous, are
especially striking for the manner In which
they mate the bright hues. Puppies, yell
lows, blues and bright greens are seen, one
upon another, and In figures Of impressive
size Thus dotted velvets show dots that
one would naturally speak of as discs did
not salesfolk classify them in the former
way. Striped sorts are remarkable for
what seems at first to he reckless use of
yellow with contrasting bright shades. but
which, after a deal OF such mating has
been seen, passes for adroit treatment.
Even at that it requires courage to con-
slider a gown of such fabrics, and with the
trimming that will be needed as relief to
this vivid figuring, the gay velvet costumes
of the winter will be more costly than ever.
On evening gowns and wraps the use of
lace Is to be lavish Its employment is not
characterized by the set design and stiff
ness that often marked last winters appli-
cations, especially those that were in the
medallion way. Almost all of it has a look
Of softness, and while the treatment of a
year ago was handsome, the newer ar
rangements seem even more beautiful. New
fashions that plainly are an improvement
on the old take hold quickly, and this
change is being effected according to this
rule. Valenciennes is much favored, but the
available list is long. 1t takes in mechlin,
chantilly, point de Paris, milanese, fiIet,
point d'esprit, lierre, Paraguay, Mexican
and bruges. with many more less well
known, but with beauty to recommend
them. Elaborate dressers are not content
with the use of such laces in simple fash
ions, but must trim them TO the end that
the whole result appear more complex. The
designs OF the lace are outlined with rusch-
ings. This trick has an Endorsement whose
cordiality amounts almost to faddish in
terest. Lace embellshed with fringe is in
high standing. too, some of the fringe being
woven in with the mesh Of the lace. And
these and other like tricks are INDUCED
even In gowns already almost smothered in
lace.
Bodices seem not to bear more of such
establishment than they have of late, but
skirts are decked out with increased liber-
ality. Lace insertions appear on skirts be-
tween plaits and tucks, and bands are be-
slowed with a free hand Both bands
and insertions are wide, some of them
strikingly so. Ruffies for the foot of the
skirt account for much OF the expenditure
for laces, though such may be arranged