The Washington times., 1904-02-14
New york, February 1s. 1904.

new loIkt II eOTudIN 4o. ASVt-
n OF always does the world
M at large feel justified in char
acterizing the fair sex as sen
sible in its selection of fashions: but.
at least. we must admit that women
choose what is becoming At present.
however. We may be generous In our
praise. for we have the approval OF past
decades TO bear US out. In brief, there
is a decided and very charming return
TO the styles that were in vogue eighty
years ago. The fact has. OF course,
been remarked in the reappearance of
fun skirts and sloping shoulders, but
even In trifies. the dainty little acces-
sories Of the toilette. do we notice the
influence OF styles OF long ago.
One OF the prettiest OF these re-es-
tablished fashions is that Of wearing
ruching in the neck OF gowns. 1t is
the genuine frilly variety, as well as
the fat folds OF crepe lisse which used
TO be bought by the piece and kept
on hand so that fresh ruching could
be put in the neck Of gown whenever
the old became soiled. In those DAYS
there was very little else to wear TO
afford variety in this department of
the wardrobe, so a box OF ruchinE was
good and comparatively lasting invest
ment. Nowadays milady buys a little
Of each Of several kinds, for there is
no telling how soon the fad will have
seen its best days
Ruching counters in department stores
are daily thronged with women eager
10 purchase lengths OF this becoming
neckwear. More white than color is
CnNd -
lavender and pink crepe lisse are spe-
cially liked for dresses or blouses of a
shade TO match. This style of ruching
is more appropriate for finishing the
top OF collars than for blouses that are
cut down TO the base of the throat
The latter fashion demands something
With slight fuilness 10 break the long
line from chin to shoulder, SO the fe-
minnie mind was quick to appreciate
the value OF tiny plaitings. puffIngs
and rulings OF fine mousseline ana
chiffon.
Nearly all separate silk stocks are
embellished with this frilling; in fact.
the neck of every frock except the
strictly tailor-made ones, is ruched
Even those who are in mourning have
accepted the mode and find a long
felt want supplied IN the plain pieces
OF white or all-black maline or creDe
lisse.
SO far. feminine fancy has not de-
randed ornamental ruchinE. but so
popular ) the idea OF bead and seouin
trimming that we may vet see these
bright little effects on the revived neck
wear. There are few women who can
not recall the pearl-adorned rulings Of
nearly two decades ago, which finally
grew so elaborate and ornate that the
becoming little plain. soft edgine wal
crowded quite out of the race. Let us
hope that such viii not be fits fate this
time.
At Sherry's the other day noticed a
remarkably pretty blonde woman gown
ed in lavendar cloth walking suit
When she removed the stunning little
jacket. which was trimmed with an
ermine stole, there was revealed a
blouse OF maize-colored crepe de chine
laid in vertical accordion plaits and
ornamented with narrow bands OF lace
applique that resembied knots the size
OF dime. In the neck of her blouse
and IN the cuffs was a ruching of chif-
ION that exactly matched the shade Of
the pale purple cloth. and she wore a
hat or lavendar French beaver on which
color The effect OF the whole costume
was smart IN the extreme. and NOT
withstanding the announcement Of the
dressmakers that violet shades have
seen their best days. women who nnd It
becoming are going to choose Il for
spring and summer gowns.
Nearly every woman at thfs rendcz-
yous Of the fashionable set who made
any Dretense OF being well gowned wore
ruehing at her neck. usually in white,
but occasionally. as in the case Of the
one just described saw blue. pink, and.
champagne.
Sunday luncheon at Sherry's Is be-
coming something OF a feature now
adays. and the company IS as varied I'm
appearance as IL Is IN tastes. You see
gay young men breakfasting about
o'clock; a few well-dressee. quiet women
mnching modestly alone: then there is
the ubiquitous chorus girl in her finest
frock and with a lavish friend. and The
-;sual stranger who thinks IL the thing
10 see Sherrys. 50 that he win be abie
to tell all about the sweHs when he
soes home.
New Things in Gloves.
For some time yet both men and
women viii continue 20 wear aneora
gloves, which make the hands loos
twice their size and Resemble enlarged
Kittens paws more than anything elsa
Vne can think Of. These hand COVERINGS
are excellent and comfortable for even.
ing when mum is supernuous. and
very often they are seen in tae daytime
on New lork's most fashionable Vouns
women. Such gloves c0st $3.50 a pair
and they are 80 decidedly different from
the chesper knitted affairs that there