Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-05-14
NEW YORK FASHION LETTER
BY ESTELLE CLAIREMONT

NEW YORK, May 14.-With the
approach of the summer season the
question concerning the colors that
Will be the most fashionable. becomes
more burning and important. The
manufacturers of textiles are fully
aware of the fact that novelties are
always in demand and they never let
an opportunity escape them to spring
some new and, if possible, extraordin-
AIRY shades and colors upon the market
Many of those new shades enjoyed a
transitory glory for part of a season
or. at the best one whole season and
then disappeared from the surface
never to return. 1t is peculiar thing
about new colors. Some become popu-
lar in single week and hold their
popularity well for several seasons,
while others. perhaps more beautiful,
and at first equally popular, do not
last the season. 1t would be an inter-
esting task to study that problem and
determine the reasons which make one
color popular, but not another. The
investigation would probably lead the
student Of the problem deep into the
mysteries of science. Every season has
its novelty colors and shades. but only
ultra fashionable women really worry
about the latest novelties in couleurs
de mode. The others, and they are in
the overwhelming majority, may select
one or the other of the new fashion
colors. If they suit them. but IL not
they content themselves with wearing
some of the old colors. just then at the
height of their popularity.
The test for the coming season has
been made in Paris and in the opinion
of the experts it has resulted in the
fashionable last year. There are but
three important new shades. lavender
blue, Parsifal blue and capuchin red.
All three are worn to limited extent
by some Of the ultra fashionable women
of Paris but they have aroused but
little enthusiasm and 1t is not expected
that they will become more popular
here than they are on the other side Of
the ocean. These new shades have
several drawbacks. which no sensible
women of fashion can afford to over
look. In the first place these shades do
not become every women and a woman
might as well be out Of fashion than
wear a fashionable color that does not
suit her style of beauty. Another OBJ
lection. at least in the eyes OF the more
conservative women is, that these
shades are too conspicuous and attract
more attention than is desirable. A
third objection is that these new shades
are 50 ''difficile," that they do not go
we'll with other colors. II a women.
therefore. wishes to wear a gown OF one
OF these new shades, she will be COM
PEELED. to wear not on only hat but
a parasol and, perhaps gloves. OF the
same color. The consistent carrying
out of a uniform color scheme is al
ways an awkward thing and connected
with great expense. OF course, there
are few women. who do not have to
consider the point Of cost, but most
women. even among the members of
fashionable society. do consider that
point more or less.
Speaking OF the capricious notions
of fashion a writer in La Nouvelle
| Mode calls attention to an interesting
novelty. Fashions latest freak" says
! that writer, "Is to use the course gui-
pure laces. hitherto reserved for furni-
ture decoration. for the purpose OF
making the most fascinating blouses
imaginable. Last year this coarse
| filet was seen as trimming. now
mounted on mousseline de soie it fash.
ions an entire bodice, sometimes joint
ed or eked out with a tiny fronconne
OF mousselne to hide the seams. These
blouses are worn over very tight fitting
bodices of white taffetas. The filet
though coarse full bouffants of nous
seline with narrow. fiat tucks COINS
round them. 1t is a useful blouse tc
/ take when travelling, being substantial
uncrushable and very cool, especially
when worn over decollete corsage
The belt should be the same depth al
around and cut quite on the bias anG
should be plated into the buckle II
front"
| PictureSqueneSS seems to be the key
note of the new fashions, particular!
in hats and coats. There are more
/ peculiar ana original SHAPES OI tldlS u
be seen in the shops at present thar
ever before but they all have one fea
ture in common: they are invariabl!
picturesque and for that reason, un
usually attractive. The picturesque
ness Of the hats does not altogethe
depend upon oddity of shape, as i
seemed to be the rule during the pas
few seasons. The shapes are mostl.
graceful and the materials used for tn
foundation as we'll as for the trim
mings and the combinations of color
add to a great extent to the beaut
and charm Of the general effect.
The new straws, or at least many o
them, show delicate tints and combina
tons OF tints, unusual and yet harmon
izing. Strange to say even colors here
tofore considered incompatibles, ar
used together with remarkably pleas
ing effect. There are quite numbe
OF new shades Of green among theY