The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-26

them better and to-day We have coats
sand skirts of these lovely canvas weaves
that are fascinating in the extreme. In
addition they are being used for gene
raj wraps. SO that, altogether. we are
starting out well equipped for the warm
days when they come. II only the grace
and the charm OF the gowns were extend
ed to the mats all might be well, but
were ever so many dangers abroad at one
time? Was ever women beset with so
many difficulties In the effort to obtain
fitting head covering, in the search for
Z hats. which shall Offset her charms. not,
/ SO far detract from them as to seize her
with despair? ti,.s7s ssi /.
Some critic once upon time remarked
that women bought hats for the front
view alone. that they Ignored the profile
and effei-. from the back. AS ! go about
and see the curious developments OF
spring millinery, am forcibly remind
cd of the comment. We are drifting to-
ward all things Directoire. Hats partake
+ OF that period, but, as Is common with
REVEALS, ire by no means replicas. The
close 1T at the back Is exaggerated and
the brim at the front Ia wIdened As a
result we see small-faced girls wearing
hats thar are perched upon the head, to
be held only wiser brains than mne can
tell how. with extension over the face
that may look picturesque and quaint
from the front, but give the suggestion
OF heavy oyarhangns thatch from the
side, 20 ever yet looked over collec-
ton of fashion illustrations belong ng
to the Direotoire period without smiling
over the hats? These of to-day exag.
gerate the defects and have added some
pecularties OF their own as well. a lit
~ ,trs
vidual lace will often overcome much
that is queer or out OF taste. Why Is It
that the wearers, apparently, see only
the full front view and ignore the very
curious effects to be observed by every
looker-on? Not that charming hats fail
to exist. on the contrary many lovely
and beautiful things are seen. but these
+ bizarre 5shnres are numerous and the
lack Of discretion and taste, to which /
refer, is apparent at every turn.
Among the attractive things are some
combinations OF black with color that are
quite new and that deserve every en-
dorsement, A recent gathering of club
women brought forth new gowns and
new hats by the score. Who ever heard
of club. meeting that was not sarto-
rial event? Among the hats We're none
more lovely than these to which ] refer.
One, notable for Its peculiar fitness to the,
wearer, was of tine black chip with the
fashionable low crown and wide brim.
Round the crown were lnassed black
silk rcsrs and the under-brim was a mass
OF pale blue chiffon, shirred, with some
tenler pink roses at the left SIDE AM
other showed a similar outer trimming
with the under-brim mass OF syrinsa
blossoms, and third was made with
black ribbon tied to simulate flowers
round the crown. pale pink chiffon and
apple blossoms beneath, The gowns and
the suits present were rarely beautiful
and tend to emphasize all that ] have
been writing about the abundance OF em-
broidery and all hand-work. Ii A charms
Ing girl from Florida wore costume OF
dove gray canvas yelling, the skirt OF
which was laid In wide hand -sewed tucks
at the lower edge and was banded up
each seam, with silk OF the same shade
embr, ler.d with tiny feur de lis and
French knots knowing as ! do how
expert Southern women are with the
needle, I arr inclined to suspect these
last were the young wearer's own work,
but. whether or not my sVrmise be cor
rect, they might easily have been and
the hint can be made to sor 70 other
clever girls who have more time and lels-
,,re than money. With the skirt was ali
Eton, collarless and with big nnfled
sleeves, that was trimmed with embroid-
cred bands and was worn nYer full
blouse Of cream lace. Antique or curtain
/, lace was apparent everywhere as bands,
as Insertion and as motfs.s
A beautiful gown Of ecrp wolfe was
made with q W aist that combined YOKE