Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
STUNNING FROCKS
What Fashionable Modistes
Are Showing.
OTHER FOL-DE-ROLS
LACE GOWNS AND BoDICEs FOR
RESTAURANT DINNERS.
New and Fetching Combinations in
Wool and Other Thin
Fabrics.
OTHER FOL- Rolls
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

NEW YORK, January 20, 1903.
Never was the power of dress felt more
than now, and never was dress in all its
details more perfect. At home or abroad
the clever woman of the hour is she who
makes obeisance to the Goddess Fashion,
and they who turn their backs upon the
lady may be likenej to the virgins who al
lowed their lamps to go out. The old say
ing that beauty unadorned is adorned the
most is now read only In the copy books.
The world knows better as indeed. 1t has
always known except in sentimental maxim.
Consider the costume of the women who
dine nightly at the many smart restaurants
about town, and see to what heights of ele-
gance fashion doth aspire. The old sobrie-
ties IN color and material, the grave re-
straint In the matter of tewelry. which once
marked the diner out, are conspicuous by
their absence At the more pretentious
places a riot of ball room finery Is seen,
white lace frocks blooming on the snowiest
nights, gems twinkling in lavish profusion
from every bosom.
There seems to be only one restriction.
and that is that the bare neck cannot be
shown IN public dining rooms, though
many compromises for the decolete waist
are made with lace Jokes and guimpes,
whose fragile meshes are anything but con-
cealing. The stockless bodice, something
cut out only trife below the collar line
may be admitted, though the wearing Of
hat with them is one of the requirements
OF good taste. 1t is only the woman who
has apartments in the hosiery who may
go without a hat at the public table but
even she is most frequently seen with head
covering.
In Tinted Cloth.
White and tinted cloth, with insets of
rich lace and bands of fur, compose many
N these beautiful gowns, whose models are
often of surprising simplicity.
A lace bodice, with black velvet, net
or silk skirt. Is also frequent combination
and one which affords endless possibilities
Tor variety, as il is always easier to achieve
D waist than an entire costume Some Of
the lace bodies seen at the best restaurants
are as modest In material as they are
charming in effect, plain and figured nets
OF inexpensive sorts being combined to pro-
duce elegant results. The plain net is fold
ed in narrow bases, which are fagotted to-
Bether to form stocks, cuffs and ornamen-
tai yoke bands. The rest of the bodice,
which frequently closes at the back with
tiny net-covered buttons will be of the
figured lace, and bias Of colored velvet
Fastening with gem-Set buckle, will girdle
~ at the waist.
One stunning odd bodice lately seen at
fashionable restaurant was of white gros-
grain silk and Irish lace, this four inches
wide and showing one smooth and one
scalloped edge. 1t was put on with yoke
and Jacket effect, with the tucked silk cut
away underneath to show layers of chif-
fon.
are built upon chiffon foundations. silk sur
faces being considered too hard for proper
relief.
With this fine waist which may be copied