The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25
Quaint Fads
and Fashions

So many OF the modes OF other days
are being brought again to light, after
sleep of more than Rip Van Wrinkle
duration, that comparison on the part
OF ones elderly relatives is simply
bound to cnsue.
The sheercst of materials In cotton
and in wool are the very latest things
IN Partisan fashions. The thinnest bat
tiste Is simply loaded down with encrus-
tntions of lace and elaborated With
hand cmbroiderles of bold and striking
character until one loses sight OF the
fact that the original material Itself Is
anything but costly.
The blouse Is still regnant In the lin
gerie fpocls Of French origin and inspi-
ration: and for the slender figure the
bagginess is still conspicuous, only 1t has
moved up several inches. There is now
closely fitting ceinture. often Of coselet
outline. and over this the blousing IS
effected, and. needless to say. With graft
tying results whore a willowy build ana
n gracefully erect carriage are present
10 carry ii off we'll. Those with the
slightest tendency to round shoulders,
however. should avoid this simple little
style as they would the plague, for 1t
Is botind 10 be hideousy unhccoming to
amy but Just the right figure,
A Symphony Of Color.
The old-fashioned mousscllne dc lainc,
that shared honors only with book mus
fins in the estimation of the novelists
OF generation or two ago. are again
to the front, and far more charming IN
both weave and color than they could
nossibly have been in their former pre-
sentations. The new ones just intro
duced--it is n question whether one can
obtain them yet on this side OF the At
lantic-are really rather chiffons de lame,
so cauzy is their texture; and yet there
K Is a wearing quality to this late revival
Of m old-tinc mode thaty WI p.oso
gratifying in the extreme to those WIZ
must demand signal service of each ana
every gown in the wardrobe.
Tainare a literal translation would nc
+ .,n,n,y wooden teXtile---is another or
the late arrivals: and this is ut It's most
fascinating appearance IN the smal
checks that show not hint OF waning
faor Indeed, SO much to the contrary,
the mills abroad are overtaxcd TO pro-
duce new ideas and coloring in these real
ly smart fabrics. The material itself,
however, is to sheer and so soft that 1t
must be manipulated in goodly quantity,
and the trimming scheme arranged with
a very lavish hand Once this Is accom-
i plished. however, the result is all that
the most fastidious could demand.
The Summer Silks.
Tn the summer silks. and they be many
and variously bewitching, the woman who
is fashion wise. and who orders her
gowns so that they shall not be dcmodce
or passe after q single seasons wear. is
ordering not less than twenty yards
for the costume. If her couturere be
clever one, perhaps. she will be lucky
enough to have ono OF those fascinating
little pelerines, rictornes, or whatever
she chooses to call them, out Of this
quantity as we'll; but unfortunately, this
does not occur very often
4 Here. too these indcflntte little checks
reign triumphant; but they arc made
with small and faint hairlines rather than
solid blocks of plain or shaded coloring;
and over this there are little bouquets
of flowers in faded tones, little sprays.
and oddly shaped conventional designs In
blurred prntings scattered at random all
over the checked surface. They are so
well spaced out, however. that they do
not produce any impression OF crowding;
" c.is1 they arc rest full to the eye rather
than otherwise.
Those same little pelerInes and vic
toIines are among tho very latest of the
summer effects. In Paris whence they
orig mated, like so many others OF our
atL active fashions. the weather has been |
SO bad for many weeks that opportuni-
ties for the summer wear have been sadly |
lacking. Many n toilette that would have
been a revelation to all behoders in the |
matter Of material. of cut, Of style, of |
trimmings. has been compelled to remain
shut up in the wardrobe; and It's proud
possessor compelled to defer the
Triumphant appearance in it until the clerk
OF the weather comes around to q moro |
reasonable and incidentally a moro sea-
sona1oe mood.
Hand Work is Necessary.
Broad over the shoulders, and taperInr
TO most becoming point at tho waist
line both back and 'front.' the sleeve or |
arm portion either filled In with a full |
cape effect or elae' left loose and bare:
these are the lines. that distinguish the
they are to be fashioned of the material
OF the gown goes without saying: and |
knife pleted ribons. pIfs Of chiffon and
gauze, lace rules, some novelties in
teries all to 90 to make up the desired
trimming effects. There is n wealth Of
elaboration where The trimming Of these
dimin,Itive garments Is concerned: and
hand adds proportionately to Its cost.
The hchu is another fascinating revival
from the days of romance. Some OF those
that are now on their way to this side
~ .4'' s,,''"'i al -dtIlIfle ana absolute |
copies Of those worn by Marie Antoinette;
and those sheer ones OF gnuzc and tam.
houred muslin that the Empress Eu-
genie so much favored aro back again I
IN all their glory These latter arc mere
~ smart and finishing touch to tho toll.
cite; and the effective hand embroldcrcs.
the scalloped and buttonholed edges TO
which real Valcnccnncs Is whipped on
full: the skill and ncedlccraft involved
In the fashoning OF even tho least nx-
pensive OF them mako them fnds Of tho
classic rather than Of the masses
A Hint on the Couture.
One of the most fascinating of the old
time effects are the little punches of