The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-28
BY HARRIET HAWLEY.

Spring sounds the knell of the long
skirt coat" So say the modistes and
tailors, and fashion seems quite ready
to obey their dictates. The smart
short jackets and etons, which come
into their own again, accord well with
the season of budding leaf. For the
eton's fly front give alluring glimpses
of gauzy blouse beneath-sure prophet
Of what summer has in store.
Then, too, the short jacket has
capabilities in the matter of dainti-
ness that the long coat never dreamt
of. If milady is petite, the eton adds
to her peculiar charm; while the girl
with the Gibson figure finds in it an
antidote to masculine tendencies in cut
and texture, toward which the long
coat was slowly but surely leading
her.
The woman with a limited bank ac-
count is rejoicing in the possibility of
cutting down her skirt coat into the
most approved of short jackets. The
tailors are having quite a bit of such
work to do. 1t is safer to entrust 1t
to them than to incur the bungling of
fingers not skilled in the art For the
eton has a way about ia most de-
cided way. Indeed, it maks the
climax of fitted perfection; that is,
when it has abjured the evils of a
wrinkled back with decided lift" in
the center, or of fronts which refuse
to mould to the lines of the figure
unless pinned or sewed into place.
Trimmings Galore.
The very plainest of the spring
etons are fanciful little creations.
There is such a bewildering display
of galloons and braids, of lace and pas
sementeries from which to choose,
that the feminine mind cannot resist
some form or another of trimming.
The dainty French wrist ruffies and
puffed undersleeves add much to the
appearance of most of the spring
jackets. These are OF lace which runs
the gamut from economy to lavishness
expense, of net and of all varieties of
white wash materials, lace encrusted
or plain. Some of the prettiest Of the
underpuffs are of white mousseline
de sole, with wrist ruffies edged with
narrow valenciennes lace.
It may be objected that these do not
stand laundering with any degree of
success. But the adroit Partisan has
managed to circumvent this defect.
She has several sets of these dainty
undersleeves, which are easily taken
basted into position. While one set
is being worn, the others are coming
or going on a pilgrimage to the clean
ers They come out Of the hands of
the dry cleaner with all of their
primeval freshness, and their owner
has the reputation Of being an i'm
maculate dresser.
Smooth Finished Cloths.
AS a reaction from the long haired
zibellnes and camels hair effects
which have been worn during the win
ter, a great many Of the spring suits
are fashioned in smooth, finished
cloths. Ladies' cloth, wooden canvas,
tweeds, and the lightweight cheviots
are all correct for spring wear. It is
prophesied that this will be a great
season for the voiles, but they are nat
urgily more Ia favor for the more eiab-
crate dresses than for the FIRST tailored
suits.
The spring skirts show an abundance
Of panel effects. Hip yokes are FREE
quently seen. though they are more
often simulated BY the use Of breids
than real Trains are not IN favor Tor
anything except house az evening wear,