The Virginia enterprise., 1905-07-14

ing aand-Made or Heady-made-
Advantages of Bride Who Does
Her Own Work.
by MARGARET p. sANGsTER :!
Copyright, 1905, by Joseph B. Bowles)
Polly, bless her dear heart, is getting
ready to be married. 1t will be the
first wedding in the family, and the
family current sets strongly and swift
ly toward the happy event. Naturally
Polly, her mother and her sisters are
much occupied over the trousseau
"Spare no expense" says the father,
whose pride I'M this dear girl knows
no bounds.
Notwithstanding this liberal carte
blanche on his part, the mother is
aware that too lavish outlay now will
mean reckoning day hereafter, with
most undesirable pinching and skimp
ing. Still, the family is unit, as to
the necessity that Polly shall have a
creditable outfit, and her brothers and
sisters are not reluctant to practice
economy that she may have every
thing she needs.
What does an intending bride really
need? This is a closer inquiry than
it would be were it differently worded.
We are not considering what an in
tending bride may wish. There is a
wide distance between need and want
Polly. if she is as we suppose a sensi-
BILE American girl, with wise head on
IN 10
her circumstances with perfect con-
tentment. She is going to marry a
young fellow whose home is in small
inland town, whose business prospects
are good, and whose habits are steady.
AS yet, he is only living on a salary
which warrants him in setting up a
simple home. but which leaves no mar
gin for display. Looking forward with
brave hearts to their blended future,
John and Polly are dwelling in one of
those charming dreams that come true
for self-respecting young people like
themselves.
Put the emphasis on the adjective.
The younger they are, the more years
they will have to be happy together,
the more courage and enthusiasm they
will have, the more spontaneity of en-
joyment The rose-colored days are
before them in which to climb the
hill together.
To return to the trousseau. let us
take the gowns first. though they are
not the most important. They are,
rather, the most conspicuous. &
A summer bride should, if possible;
be married in white, and in white at
tire there is a great variety of fabrics
from which to choose. A bride looks
as lovely in white muslin, white wool
or white net, as in brocade, silk or
satin, and her white wedding gown, of
| whatever material it be fashioned. will
furnish her prettiest evening dress for
any occasion which may arise during
the next year or two.
A bride need not wear veil unless
she chooses. If she does choose, it
may be of inexpensive net, and will
then be as becoming as if it were point
lace. Bridal wells are heirlooms in
some families. A girl likes to be mar
ried in veil that her mother and her
grandmother wore on their respective
wedding days. Wells are, however, not
in themselves especially attractive ad-
juncts. A girl usually looks prettier
without one.
Some brides prefer to be married in
what is now called the going away
gown. We used to call it the travel
ing dress. When this is chosen, the
bride who. like Polly, must study econ
omy, will select soft gray or brown
stuff, which will serve later for church
| or visiting, or an afternoon reception.
1t must include skirt, jacket and
waist, should be tailor-made and very
smart in every detail. To relieve and
save this costume, a short black walk
ing skirt and a jacket of either black
or covert cloth are desirable for second
best. The bride should have one black
silk Of etamine gown. beautifully
| made, in her trousseau as this will
be suitable for functions of every kind,
| both in winter and summer. If in
addition to this, she can have a SIM
pie gown of gray voile she will be
beautifully fitted out One or two pique
or linen skirts. supply of cotton shirt
waists sufficient to enable the wearer
to be always fresh, cool and dainty in
appearance, and two or three print or
gingham frocks for working about the
house, are requisite. If Polly can man
age it, she should have a raincoat and
a golf cape, and she will need two
hats-one for best and one for every
day. Of course, there are brides and
brides; some will get on with much
less than the bride which have indi-
Gated. Others will provide much more
but for many reasons too elaborate
trousseau is a great mistake There
is no sense or use in multiDlyine
gowns which only grow old-fashioned
For underclothing, let Polly provide
a half dozen of each piece. It is well
to have the underclothing made a,
home, and very fastidious brides like
it made by hand. But it may be boush,
| ready-made in the ShOns and h, or,;r.