Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-02-23
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER..

NEW YORK. Feb. 2l.-In Lent the
well-dressed girl plans the frocks and
frills which stimulates the young
mans fancy to thoughts of love" in
the spring time.
The first real heralds of spring this
year are the wash gowns-in name
only-which promise to create fu-
rore unequalled in the history of
dress. The new fabrics, which are
heavy enough to require no lining.
yet sufficiently pliable to adapt them
selves to the predominating lines of
slenderness and grace. have taken to
themselves entirely novel compilations
and airs. Not only are solid colors
seen, but mixtures are prominent and
there are new Scottish effects dotted
and stripes with the cold hues to
lend variety to the regulation designs.
There is an atmosphere of distinct
novelty about summer frocks Every
thing is designed to suggest comfort
and surcease from worry lest they
crumple or soil-even though they do.
grass linen through which pale
blue is gracefully mingled has insert
ed seams, the insertions being of
strips of coarse lace. The design of
the lace is of squares, in the center
of which is a circular ornament which
has been worked over in black silk.
There are long green sleeves and un-
dersleeves of white lace.
s The collar is of the stock variety.
carrie out in worked lace.
Either of two very pretty hats may
complete this costume. The former
is of dead-white. unfinished rice
straw and trimmed with roses, vio-
lets and leaves. The latter is rough
shiny tuscan. adorned with green
velvet bows and cream lace over pale
blue chiffon rosettes.
The new muslins and mercerized
fabrics are cool and restful and for
this reason are much in demand The
main idea of the summer woman of
fashion is to look summery, but not
vivacious, for vivacity is a mistake
no matter how charming she may be.
A dainty frock designed for one of
the fortunate few who can shift their
quarters south to avoid the blistering
winds of March is a mass of cine lin
gerie tucks in cream muslin with lace
insertions, and a deep flounce at the
foot of the skirt of white mousselipH
on which are appliques of pink f1ow6
graceful sweet peas and green
leaves.
Another muslin robe Is of cream
white and black embroidery The
combination is very Frenchy and
fetching and the embroidery is thick
and soft, like the old-fashioned kind
that adorned the gowns of our moth
ers years ago. d.
Fashion Is turning to quaint and
picturesque things. There were
sashes last year. They are here again
this season with fringes and hand
paintings for the early frocks of lin
en-. Some are daintily designed of
Chine ribbon and silk fringe sewn on.
"a novelty Is to carry the ribbon
around the waist twice and knit it
low at one side or directly in front.
White satin is taking the place of
taffeta as foundation material for
point d'esprit, especially black. =
particularly stunning gown in these
fabrics has the bodice cut low In the
neck and rather square. All the way
around the neck strips of black vel.
vet are caught here and there to finish
1t: from this the strips of velvet are
stitched down over the satin, covered
with black point desprit half way
about an inch apart, then from the
waist line the velvet Is stitched down
between the strips of velvet from the
top and coming up just as far as the
other came down
The sleeves are OF point d'esprit
caught in full at the arm, while a
black velvet sash encircles the waist
The bodice idea is faithfully car.
ried out on the skirt, the velvet being
stitched down over the white satin
with point desprit over 1t abou,
twelve inches over the hips. This
fits the hips like glove. From this
IT Is met by another series of rows OF
black velvet about twelve or four.
teen inches deep and then again an.
other series of rows of black velvel
which slope outward and flare over
the feet with long sweeping train
in the back. The ensemble of the
skirt is that of three deep flounces
The gown DESCRIBED will bear out
the statement tb2t kmplicity is far
from the modiste's }Htentions. and II
greater elaborationSof any detail OF
dress is possible. 1t may be looked