River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-11-10
Notes or Winter Fashions

of the leading costumieres is an example
of the evening dress prevalent during
the reign of Louis XVI. brought I'D to
date. 1t is in a thick make of yieux
rose taffeta and beautifully arranged
point d'Alencon, shaped in deep point,
and losing itself in the pointed bodice,
finished with two enormous choux of
velvet of bright rose shade, with quaint
paste ornaments in the center. The
heavy folds of the skirt derive most of
their fulness from the hips. the front
width being outlined with velvet. and
having few rosettes thereon. This is
very full round the feet and is also
trained. The sleeves are of a rather
picturesque order, and from the elbow
are long strands of shaded rose-pink
chiffon giving the necessary touch of
softness which produces such graceful
results in the picture gowns of the pres
ent day.
I recently noted lovely picture din
ner frock with an underskirt of old lace
which, sby the way, affords a rather good
opportunity Of making use of wedding
veil. This particular model had a
Directoire coat, cut away in the front,
with long tails behind, of heavy white
and gold brocade, with an inner waist
coat of shaded green chiffon velours,
folded and intermingled with an inner
chemisette Of Brussels lace This had
elbow sleeves also of lace, and lace was
appliqued on the green velvet collar,
forming a becoming finish to the
decolletage
For evening wear there is a revival
of the polonaise and the old princess
frock of a later period. If well carried
out, they can be very beautiful, but they
are difficult of manipulation, and do not
commend themselves to the general pub
lie And dare I suggest they offer no
opportunity of using up remnants or
long-kept relics as many of the other
modes do?
The prevailing methods of using
trimmings, and especially for edgings,
show a decided tendency towards the
revival of the Louis XVI, the Empress
Josephine and the early Victorian
modes. A purple velvet princess frock
trimmed with ermine edging and tucker
of old lace sounds very sumptuous, and
this style of gown must be costly. Some
of the autumn models are, of course,
too exaggerated, but this is always so
at the beginning of any season. Ere
long we shall settle down, and we shall
probably find that in the world of fash
ionable couturieres, period dressing
has come to stay. There have not been
wanting indications of this all through
the past season, and the idea doubtless
originated two or three years ago, dur
ing a craze for fancy dress balls and
dinners. And, after all, we should well
come any mode that tendssto tighten
and brighten English dressing. And,
above all, do we welcome in a dull Lon
don winter the richness and fulness of
coloring of which real artists never tire,
and exquisite fabrics and trimmings are
in themselves a pleasure to look upon.
I suppose the ideal fabric for the
evening is velours- mousseline, which
takes lovely lights and shades. I am
told that leading American is having
a beautiful frock in the new bronze
green shade, so beloved by Parisians,
with a tucked berthe of deep copper"
colored Mechlin lace, and trimmed with
big embroidered velvet buttons down
the front of the skirt and bodice. There
is a tremendous demand for every va
riety Of fancy button.
ELLEN OSMONDE.