The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

characteristic of summer gowns So much
of it is used in many model dresses that
very little of the plain material is left in
sight. Puffings are made of silk, satin and
of cloth. the last being put on very filmy
materials. Button trimmings are stylish,
and in some simple gowns stand almost by
themselves, but more often are accom-
panied by other ornamentation. Medallions
are admissible, tho5e of embroidery count
ing as very stylish and often appearing in
the model dresses in conspicuous size and
plentiful numbers. Nothing in the outlook,
however, indicates such a run of medallion
decorations as occurred in the recent rage
for lace medallion trimming. Bertha trim
mings will be employed in all possible
veriety, and an inevitable consequence is
that the surplice bodice will be revived.
Altogether the standards of establishment
for spring dresses are suggestive of
elaborateness which for summer seems
likely to develop into very highly wrought
styles. Sample dress-ups for spring are
put in the first two of these pictures. These
gowns were sketched in brown wolfe, black
velvet and fancy braid. with Irish point
yoke, for the first; rose taffeta and dark
rose velvet, for the second; light blue taft
feta, guipure and fancy landings, for the
third and gray wolfe trimmed with hand
embroidery in a darker gray, for the last
example. Both the taffetas and the voiles
of these dresses were new weaves, mark
eddy soft and pliable for the silk, and thin
and open of texture for the wolfe.
Taffeta is on hand in many novel weaves.
but all have the softness that is compare
lively new characteristic for this silk. Silk
pongees and weaves that resemble it very
closely in all but the names are shown in
attractive array. and Chinese and Japanese
silks make their usually attractive show
ing. Crepe de chimes have had decided
reasonable expectation of them, but some
of the figured sorts are new enough to
satisfy any sensible craving for novelty,
while the standard weaves are pretty
enough to insure their having many pur-
chasers. In voiles, particularly of the thin
ner weaves, are many downright novelties,
and this fact explains the confident prophe-
cies given first many weeks ago, that
wolfe is to be one of the foremost dress
fabrics of the coming season. Recently
shown are gayly stripped sorts, with now
and then plated weave. Next in i'm
portance to these, perhaps, are the linens.
which are to be in high favor for sum-
mer dressing. There are brand new
weaves among them, too, despite the fact
that they were to the fore last summer.
Silky finish is characteristic of many of
them, others show lace stripping and still
others present surprises in opepwork de-
signs. This showing will repay attention,
for not only are the linens stylish and
pretty, but with no great care in selection
sort may be secured that surely will give
excellent return for the investment. So
much rarely can be said of fabrics that
are fashionably in the lead.
The bridal gowns of the coming Easter
and spring will not be very noticeable for
newness except in their lace trimmings,
which will be more than usually profuse.
Fashions in the bridal costume do not I'M
dergo frequent radical changes, and this
spring the available materials and embel-