Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-25
DICTATES OF FASHION.
Fancifu1 odds and Ends That Eater Into tke Pretty Dress Compo-
 sifi0ns of the Season.

The pouched blouse it is said is on the decline abroad and crossed fichu blouses are much more fashionable. The pouch gave the straight-front out line, which is no longer needed with the new corsets, says a fashion au- thority.
 Lace is used as much as ever, and old lace handkerchiefs are. cut in two, each point being used for the short sleeves. Long sleeves, made very full and transparent, and much-befrilled elbow sleeves are worn with quite low bodices.
 Of skirts there is little to be said. They are gradually spreading at the feet and swathing us more tightly round the hips, save the gathered or plaited ''housemaids' skirts; long tunics ending in festoons falling over plaited hounces, and founce skirts, are all we have to record.
 Toques are still of the bolero order, mostly i1 white or colored tulle, with band of lace straw, paillette lace and tinsel insertion, mixed with chenille embroidery; long paradise plumes fall at the side, dropping on the hair; vel vet fruit, dropping blossoms and buds are also used.
 A new cut of bodice gives the droop- ing shoulder effect which is to be all the fashion this summer. Seams are being cut right up to the shoulder. Ex- cept that the seamsare less curved, the bodices are almost identical with those in the early eos. The seams of the new bodice Things are almost straight from waist to shoulder, the bodice being slightly pointed in front.
 Delaines will be much used this sea- son, and we shall have quite revival of broche grenadines and barege. Cloth seems to grow lovelier every season. The newest cloths are very fine and thin-they have g satin surface and drape most gracefully. Their coloring is of the best-pale primrose, stone color, biscuit, dusty gray, cinnamon, Marie Louise blue and almond green are some of the newest shades.
 Opera mantles are very long, with the enormous Jewish sleeves. Motor ing skirts are ankle short and made in box plaits. The newest motoring coats are cut in rows of mitered cloth and moleskin sacks are certainly the dain- tieat of the fur variety. Some of the sacks have deep pelerines. The hats and veils are less grotesque, some be- ing quite pretty. Full tulle cravats are worn with low bodice.
 Bodices of black or dark coIored ma terials are very simply made, but they all show an inner vest or waistcoat of some lovely eastern embroidery. The Turkish squares have lovely barbaric embroideries which can be transferred to ecru silk or satin or laid on thick silk Russian net. A butterfly bodice matches the butterfly sleeves for even ing wear. For half-mourning cream cloth embroidered with jet is quite the smartest thing
 Many of the bodices have swathed belts with very high buckles of art nouyeau, ending in long scarf ends at the back. Sashes are very much worn, and many of the low bodices are very much trimmed with flowers. Deep lace collars and "mitten'' gauntlets of lace, black or write, beautify some of the bodices which may require renovating. Wide, stiff bands, narrowing toward the waist, are Louis Seize bodice dec oration for low bodice.