The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-05

6wA HE real laces for the separate
 S blouse would really see into be the
 M apotheosis of this delightfully."- prac-
 tical, though oftentimes extraya- gant fad. When first they were devel- oped In silks and velvets the conserva- tive declared that the mode was alto gether unsuited to such rich materials; that the simpler shirtwaist goods were lhe only correct thing for them.
 But this charming fad marched steadily on. It pushed it's way into formal luncheons. It made furore for itself attrestaurant dinners, and It's appearance as a theater bodice we hailed with joy. And 1t maintains all of Its vogue in each aud every one of those connections, and will, doubtless, continue to do so for some indefinite period.
 With each new appearance of Parisian models some new and delightful features come to light. The blouse itself can hardly be altered very much and still re- tain it's distinctive lines. But the sleeves offer an unlimited field to the designer, md ably. have those of this year of grace taken advantage of their opportunities In thls direction.
 The sleeve 1t Is that inevitably dates the gown. To the clever girl who follows the fashions, even in moderate sort of way, just a glance at the sleeves of any gown will fix It's birthday almost to month. Waists and skirts may remain fairly much the same from one season to another, the differences from year to year being but trifiing; but the sleeves take to themselves some new fad. some novel caprice of length, or outline. or fitness, or trimming, which dates them just as surely as does the date stamp which the modish shoemaker puts in the lining of the made-to-order shoe.
 This seasons new models are widely diversified as to sleeves. The various Parisian authorities are taking very diff ferent views as to what constitutes a modish arm covering this winter. One holds to a plain and almost tight top, close fitting and with just little drapery where it ends at the elbow. His neigh bor takes just the opposite view. and ad- vocates a full and puffy top, built out with silk or haircloth ruffies on the lin ing, if necessary, or with little feather bones sprung on the lining so that ade- quate support for the sheer material for all of the favored materials are sheer as sheer can be-is provided.
 However, the most charming examples follow neither the one nor the other of those extremes, but rather do they ex- press a happy medium There is no plain ness nor tightness on the one hand, while on the other that excess of fitness which was so confidently predicted has failed altogether to appear. Just be- coming and easy amount of fitness Is what is employed.
 The style and character of the sleeve is largely depended upon to indicate the degree of drcssiness that the little waist Is intended to display. The half sleeve, as might be expected, Is very prominent among the dressier productions, and the three-quarter sleeve finds a niche In the scheme of things fashionable that is all It's own. In contradistinction to those abbreviated arm-coverings there are some very charming examples in which rich silks-of sheer and supple weave, of course; that goes now well nigh without saying-and real laces combine to make a sleeve that is not only of full wrist length, but has cuf of the real lace that will extend well down over the knuckles of the hand. A charming mode this Is for the woman with large and well-shaped hand, for the graceful cover ing of lace will make the hand seem so much smaller and whiter by force of contrast that It's success In the seasons fashions is already assured.
 The blouses of real laces are as plain and simple as they well can be. The beauty of the lace is depended upon for cachet, and there is far less minging and mixing of laces In this connection than prevailed heretofore. In CIuny, pointe Arabe, princess and other laces broad bands with irregular edges are far more fashionable than those con-