The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-09
artisan Ideas For the Early Spring Costumes

WM ARTS. Jan 24.-Just before Lent
all of the gay set left in Paris
for the sunny climes have
claimed the majority r take
upon themselves a perfect fever
Of gayety. The idea seems to be a
short life, but merry one. Enough
pleasure is crowded into a few short
weeks to last the ordinary mortal at
least a whole season And even the
penitential forty days are now robbed
of their dismaluess and gloom. The
fheater we have with us always and
the subdued little dinner. with its violet
ooloring, in perfect harmony with the
season Of fasting. is not tabooed. When
looked at merely from the secular side.
Lent comes in the guise of life saving
station. for the giving up of ball or a
cotillon is quite as necessary to the
physical self as the remuneration of
some pet extravaganza or tiny sin is to
the moral nature.
1t is a beautiful season in which to
ponder the sayings of the preacher that
all is vanity and indorse his sentiments
in practical manner by planning more
of the same sweets in the form of a
stunning spring collection of gowns and
chapeaus. The only difficulty seems to
be the possibility of conceiving any
new thing after the prodigaIty of the
past winter What on earth has been
left undoue 10 enhance my lady's beau
ty or charm7 But we take courag e
from precedent. and as the couturier
has always risen superior to existing
conditions he Will he our friend to the
very last He predicts all kinds of va
riations of the old schemes. even the
revival of several which we have long
considered TOO recently old to be resus-
citated. II only goes to show that
there is nothing new except what Is
forgotten
The winter fashions will pale as
moonlight before sunlight before the
summer modes Tt is almost too soon
10 make exact statements as to what
VIII and what will not be worn. The
success OF the costumes made for Ri
viera wear decides that question i'm a
most authoritative manner. We know
positively that foulards. veiIings. or
candies and the thin materials of last
summer are to be made up into the
most stunning gowns Imaginable In
the future we must avoid violet thai
color so dear to our hearts. and in its
place wear pinkish mauve and pastel
parme Nedette blue. which is a very
trying shade for the average woman. is
one of the new colors promised. I
think brown warm looking tone for
summer. but the champagne brown.
which bids fair TO be a favorite. looks
more like weak coffee and is cool
enough in appearance to be comfort
aole A combination of blue and yellow
IS one Of the novelties in color effects
anu VIII probably take the place Of the
popular blue and green. No doubt the
colonial in dress viii make its advent
Win the Introduction Of the combina-
ton mentioned. at least in America
Where these shades were so noblv worn
by the heroes of 1875. We have reveled
IN the Continental hat; now for 9. copv
OF the coat
Speaking Of coats reminds me Of the
new Kitchener jacket Lord Kitchener
If he ever happens to become aware Of
the fact viii hardly he overioyed to
learn that he is the godfather OF a
stunning woman's coat. 1t is really
very funny that this acknowledged wo-
man hater should have thrust upor
him this distinctiveiy feminine gar
ment The feature of the coat is its