The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-16
VARIETY AND ELEGANCE
IN DISPLAY OF GOWNS
Local Firm Exhibits Creations, In
expensive but Artistic, Designed
in Spring Mode.
MANY WOMEN VIEW THEM

New frocks, suits dainty waists and trim
jackets, all OF the most recent spring modes,
are on view in the Besten-Langen store
Contrary to the usual rule. there will be no
formal Spring opening" but announce
ments of the arrival of the new styles have
been sent out and the garments are dis
played to callers.
The gowns are exceptionally pretty and
their unusually voluminous effects in sleeve
and skirt make them more than ordinarily
striking One of the handsomest of the
gowns is displayed in the window fancy
etamine of warm tan shade. The skirt,
which has a box plat, back and front, has
a fiounce laid in side plaits.
The blouse jacket has a decoration of
Bulgarian embroidery and fancy buttons
and the very large sleeves are similarly
trimmed frock of reseda green wolfe
shows blouse edged with a band of dark
green broadcloth effectively embroidered in
colors, and set with tiny embroidered but
tons of orange.
The skirt is plated and the folds laid
about the hips are piped with black.
quaint little 1880 gown is fashioned from
fancy wolfe of raspberry pink, the big
sleeves are gathered into the dropping
shoulders and finished with a deep fall OF
white lace The skirt has a straight deep
f1ounce set on with a little heading. In
black frocks number of handsome models
in crepe de chine are shown and costumes
of white voile are also shown in exception
ally pretty styles.
FANCY COATS ARE SHOWN.
The ready to-wear garments of later days
are acqAring all the distinction that for
merly beAnged only to the made-to-order
IL
versely. One of the frocks of fine white
wolfe is made with insertions and yoke of
handsome lace tucked and elaborated by
French knots and lined with taffeta.
In fancy coats the handsomest is one of
white moleskin with bands of Persian en-
broidery in green, silver and gold at the
neck and wrists. The front is ornamented
by huge buttons of the same Persian design.
A short, very full coat of champagne
pOngee is shirred on cords about the neck
and shoulders. and a collar of very heavy
lace With bands of the modsh reseda green
velvet furnish the decoration. Another coat
of pongee is cream white in color, lined
with heavy cream satin. 1t is also shirred,
and the decoration is a band of pale blue
velvet and rosettes of the silk. each CEN
tered with a blue velvet button. A pongee
coat of three-quarter length is richly APP
piqued with heavy lace, and reseda green
velvet and silk cords make it effective.
Tailor gowns OF all kinds are shown. the
most notable feature of the smarter ones
being their decided tendency toward the
blouse effect in the back as well as in the
front. The favored materials et5mine.
wolfe, cheviot, mOhair and the mixed cloths
used foi mems suitings. In the separate
skirts for dress black wolfe is the
most popular fabric The tan jackets.
which have been so popular for a year. are
still the prominent features in the spring
jacket showing, but the corset model has
been replaced by short jacket Of looser
but still trim fit and fewer seams
VARIETY IN SEPARATE WAISTS.
OF the separate waists of all kinds there
is practically no end. The separate bodice,
after a brief season of retirement, has re-
asserted itself, and IL is shown in the dis
play in all varieties. One of the pretty dress
models is of soft pompadour silk in change
able grays. greens and pinks made with
straps of rich lace for the front and
shoulders and intricately tucked pieces set
in between. White chiffon and net models
are shown in all possible Celebrations of
insertions. tuckings, shirrings. and trim
mings of medallions and laces.
The white china silk waist which is TO be
so much worn is shown in great variety,
one Of the newest and prettiest of its mani
festatons being the drawnwork waist, of
which the entire front shows elaborate de-
signs in the effective drawnwork. The
white linen waists also show some charm
ing effects in drawnwork designs, while
other waists have handsome embroidered
designs in the Mount Mellick effects. Some
OF the prettiest of the waists show a COM
bination OF drawnwork and embroidery
with small drawnwork medallions set in the
intervals of the embroidery. Waists of
Irish linen fashioned with plain tucks
smart though simple
The silk shirtwaist frocks show practi-
cally the same effects as those of last
year-close- fitting skirts with the fulIness
released about the foot and trim blouses.
Small checks and polka dots still used
for their fashioning though this year sees
the plain color taffetas fully as smart as
the small figures. One OF the prettiest of
the plain-color suits in the showing is OF
golden brown taffeta with stitched bands
for its decoration. A trim frock of blue and
white foulard In tiny polka dots has
stitched bands OF plain blue and dash of
scarlet on the collar makes the gown
smart.