The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-03-12

strated during the past winter, when vel
vet was worn a great deal. Many Of the
gowns that were displayed during the
past winter were 50 ornamented that
the peculiar charm which is the most
striking characteristic of velvet, was ut
terly destroyed. Since then the mistake
has been recognized and the new Partisan
spring fashions for velvet gowns are much
palmer and simpler, without returning al
together to the severity of the style of
former days. Some of the velvet gowns
brought over from Paris are exquisitely
charming in their chaste and refined sim
plicity. 1t is to be hoped that the fashion
able women of this country will appreciate
the wisdom and taste of their sisters on
the other side of the ocean and will emu
late their good example. There has been
altogether too much ornamentation in
the prevailing styles of the winter season
and breath of simplicity is more than
desirable to purify the atmosphere of
fashion.
There are welcome signs and indications
that the tendency to overdo things in the
matter of ornamenting materials rich
enough in themselves will not be so pro-
nounced during the coming spring as dur
ing the past winter and fall seasons. The
Partisan dressmakers have begun to set a
good example and conservative dressmakers
in this country-and, fortunately, there are
still few of them left-will probably imi-
tate them and simplify the styles for spring
wear. 1t seems that the spring STYLES for
this year will be something like an ex-
aggerated repetition of the styles of 1880.
Materials will be of the soft and clinging
description, checks and dots will again be
popular, but both will be much smaller
than those worn last year
Peau de Suede is one of the best and
prettiest wash fabrics that can be used
for spring or summer wear. 1t is a salt
water chiffon, somewhat heavier than or
binary chiffon and as dampness does not
affect it it makes an ideal material for
seaside costumes. 1t can be washed and
comes out fresh and clean without show
ing any i'll effects from washing. Another
excellent wash fabric is crepe cloth, which
Is soft and clinging and can be had in
white or cream
Quite an enticing array of handsome neg
lige gowns of different descriptions are
shown in the shops just now. There |
are some of flannel. Albatross is a |
more popular material for negiges now
than ever before. 1t is used for all kinds. |
even the simplest robes and some of these |
are remarkably handsome The albatross
is OF some light shade and the gowns are
made up with deep plain border of |
French flannel, which has black dots on
white ground. Some of the accordion
pleated rObs and matinees of albatross.
trimmed with lace, which were so fashion.
able last year, are still shown in the shops.
SO are China silk garments of the same
type, which are quite effective and rich
owing to the elaborate lace trimming.
The lowered Examines, which are now
shown in the shops in such wild profusion
and bewildering variety, are among the
prettiest materials displayed this season.
Usually the ground work is white and on
this are springled pink moss-rose buds
Persian palm leaves, or quaint shields with
early English colors. Excepting for their
cllnging softness some of these CLEANLINESS
strongly suggest delicately lowered wall
paper. Frocks of that material. made up
IN the style of 1880 are surprisingly charm
ing.
The summer crop of mohars will be
quite plentiful. The solid colors seem to
have gone nearly altogether out of style
and their places have been taken by checks.
splashes, squares and dots in white, with
black blue, gray or dark red. These
mohairs will be worn great deal for sum-
mer jacket suits and for blouse suits for
shopping and travelling. Some of the mo-
hairs shown in the shops are very pretty
and effective.