Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-07-02
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER
BY ESTELLE CLAIREMONT

Of bathing suits. 1t is not SO very
long ago that bathing suits were prin-
cipally made of two materials, flannel
and serge, either in blue or white and
trimmed with parallel bands Of cotton
braid as their only ornament.
The primitive simplicity of the bath
the fashionable sea shore girl no longer
speaks of her bathing suit but of her
sea shore outfit, which usually includes
half a dozen or more of the most CO.
quettish and captivating creations Of
the dressmaker's art. intended to serve
for several distinct purposes. The out
At usually includes two or three suits
for actual bathing and swimming, as
many more for sun baths and as many
more FOR lounging and display.
In years gone by the object of the
bathing suits seemed to be, to dis
guise as much as possible the graceful
curves of the feminine figure, even un-
der the most dihicult conditions, that
means, even after the fair swimmer or
bather emerged from the water. That
was the critical test. Now it is diff
ferent. Nowadays bathing suits no
longer attempt to disguise the forms
of the body. but rather seek to disclose
them as far as is compatible with mod
esty. The bathing suit of the present
! day Is SO constructed that 1t is not
| only becoming before. but also after
| use To accomplish that result, 1t has
! become necessary to make the cos
tunes far more elaborate that they
used to be and it Is an actual fact that
some Of the bathing costumes seen q
! fashionable seaside resorts represent a
small fortune.
| Silky mohair sicilienne seems to be
the most favorite material for bath
| ing suits this summer. It resembles
silk and wears much better. particu-
larly in salt water. Another fashion
able material is so ielaine, which comes
in a great variety of handsome colors
Among the latest materials used fol
bathing suits are taffeta and kind Of
waterproof silk gloria.
For trimming silk braids. embroider.
les. and even laces are used in many
charming ways. OF course. there ar,
other braids and various kinds Of rib
bons used for trimming. but none Of
them are as effective as embroideries
and laces. Some Of the bathing suit
are almost as deliberately trimmed al
dress skirts and the costumes actual,
make the impression of abbreviated
promenade costumes
!, The latest wrinkle and one which will
/. be OF interest to a great many timit
women. who have hitherto foregone tn
} pleasure of sea bathing because the,
; were afraid that their skill tn swim
ming was not sufficiently great to max
the undertaking safe. Some cleve
person has invented neat little con
trivance. which can be attached to al
y most any kind of bathing suit. IL in
conspicuous and at the same time Al
effective life preserver. 1t consists O
; rubber bag arrangement. which. com
}. pletely hidden in the puffy shoulde
part of the sleeves, can be inflated b.
means of thin rubber hose and l
buoyant enough to keep the head Of tn
wearer above water under the most un
favorable conditions.
: To satisfy the craze for fancy arti
cles made from handkerchiefs, som
y ingenious manufactures has put on tn
market handkerchiefs in various sixel
especially adapted to the purpose de
!. sired. A square az large as the oil
: fashioned bandana Is printed in swes
: peas In pink or lavender shades. Thre
Of these squares are divided into quar-
{ tiers. Four points of one Handkerchief
are turned in. and the position of tn
{ square II reversed. the Joining bein
effected by q coarse lace beadin
3 through which ribbon Is run. pink Il
the sweet peas. lavender for the Law
a ender blossoms. The corners OF tn
: other two handkerchief are tina
o Joined to form q fiounce. which hans
Z around the pillow In deep points II
4 hack Of th< pillow - Of lawn to mate
d the prevailing tone IN the fiowera 10,
ii Among the new things offered In n
q shops are linen ribbons. soft and shee