Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-02


r. day. as the season advances
~ spring fashions seem more and
more attractive. The dainty colorings
and charming trimmings, and the
picturesque models that find favor this
year are more than ordinarily smart
and becoming, and this in face OF the
fact that many of the new styles are
extremely trying to the majority of
women. There is a very wide range
OF choice in colors and materials, as
well as in fashions, so that after all,
as has so often been said, Individual
Ity counts for more than anything
else, and a woman who has the slight
est taste for dress and the slightest
knowledge of what is becoming to her
relf personally has no excuse for being
badly dressed this year. of all others.
The short skirt problem has been a
hard one to solve, for there is a ver-
table craze for short skirts, not only
for general hard wear-for which they
are especially well suited-and for the
morning, but also for the afternoon,
and the most expensive of textures are
employed, and colors are MAD up for
street year that were formerly thought
only suitable for the house and for a
ballroom.
Take, for instance, the changeable
taffeta silks of very light shades. In
other days these were worn for ball
gowns and were considered most at
tractive for that purpose especially
when trimmed with a great deal of
handiwork-many f1ounces, tuckings,
shrrings and insertions, or motifs, as
they are called of lace.
Precisely the same style of dress is
now seen for the afternoon and made
with short skirts. 1t is incongruous
and to a certain extent bad style, or
only suitable to women who travel in
their own carriages, and yet at an af-
ternoon reception or at church we'd
ding in the spring such a gown must
needs pass muster. and, in truth, is
thought very smart. Just how long
this fashion, which is really incorrect,
will remain in favor cannot be stated,
but for the moment it is fashionable
to have such a gown, and that is suf-
ficient for those individuals who do
not have to count the cost or look
forward to wearing a gown more than
the one season of the year.
silks and Ponsees
In the dark colored silks, pongees
and veilings, no matter how elabo-
rately they may be made up, this short
skirt style is not bad; in fact, it is
rather to be recommended and If the
skirt be properly cut and is full
enough-and the new skirts measure
an enormous width around the hem
the effect is almost that of long skirt,
and at the same time (for city wear
at all events) it is a great comfort to
have the short skirt.
All materials are In fashion for this
style of gown, and. besides those al
ready mentioned, may be included
crepe de chine, the new grenadines, all
the new--and they are countless in
number-mohairs and novelty goods.
among which may be recognized old
favorites under new names.
The war goes merrily on between the
long coat and the short jacket, but
there should not be any discussion
between them, one style being appro-
pirate for one sort OF gown and an
other for the other. For a rough or
rather hard wear gown the long coat
is best. 1t looks best made up in mo-
hair. in pongee or in lightweight cloth
or cheviot, in the majority OF cases.
In silk. in yelling and other materials
the short jacket is rather smarter and
makes the gown seem more elaborate.
Fascinating little boleros and fitted
etons. and jackets that are half capes
and fichus. with elbow sleeves. look
most attractive over the lingerie waists
Or are made all in one with the waist.
giving the jacket effect and yet having
The white lace sleeves and fronts.
Unquestionably the newest gowns
are made with skirts and waists to
match, and the lingerie blouses, charm-