Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-20
DEBUTANTE DRESSES
CREPE DE CHINE AN ECoNoMI
CAL GOWN FOB RECEPTIONS.
Chiffon or Soft Silk Waists, to be
Worn With Cloth Skirts and
Coats, Are Fashionable.
BY A. T. ASHMORE.

If anything, afternoon receptions and
days at home increase in popularity, so
that the debutante who chooses to burst
upon the social world with a magnificent
ball or immense theater party must also
undergo the doubtful pleasure of a large
reception, or If not that, a series of days
at home. The costumes now designed for
the days at home are most elaborate and
of the handsomest and most delicate ma
terials and this season the models all show
certain originality OF design and of trim
ming that is most effective. The color,
rather than any special contrast In design
or material, differenuates the debutantes
frock from her mothers gown, but even
here there Is no steadfast rule, for white
Is worn by all ages, and even pink and
pale blue are still worn as long as they
prove becoming. All white. however, Is
generally accepted as the debutante's shade
and at her first formal entertainment she
will invariably be seen in gown Of soft
white lace. satin. silk or chiffon. as the
case may be.
soft, rich lace, makes an attractive frock
for the debutante, and II likely to be more
becoming, the white may be relieved by
cream rather than ivory colored lace. The
sary for young GIRL but only good imi-
tation should ever be used and the poorer
the quality the less there should be Of 1t on
the dress. There are many grades less eX-
and which are most effective. Lace fiounces
are being used again and~face ruff1es of all
widths while on the bodice the lace bolero
is seen frequently this season.
The Empire, Directoire and Princess
models are all made up for young gfr.s,
but belts of all widths are also seen, some
even having long sash ends.
Bright Colored Beleros.
Instead Of an all white gown many of the
lace and chiffon dresses are made with little
boleros of bright colored silk or satin, from
which long vest ends hang to the knee of
the skirt. If desired the gown may be
finished quite complete without this little
coat and then 1t may be worn either as a
Of plain or Powered silk. The plain jackets
are perhaps newer, but all Powered and
figured taffetas and brocades are also ex-
ceedingly fashionable. The silk coat is
| sometimes seen quite plain, but as rule
1t is trimmed with narrow ruchings of the
silk and edged all around with lace, the
sash also being bordered with ruche of
lace.
If the debutante must economic and
make each gown serve a variety of pur-
poses, she had best select a gown of white
or cream crepe de chine. Even in the
satin finish this material is most inexpen-
sive and a dress length in the dull finish can
| be had for very little indeed. Crepe de
chine Is fashionable again, too. the
| dress is sure to look well II a graceful de-
| sign is chosen. An accordion pleated skirt
requires a little more material. but then
all trimming Is dispensed with. so it is
perhaps cheaper in the end than a trimmed
| skirt The skirt should be left sufficiently
| long to allow of a few tucks being run In
close to the hem after the pleating has been
| put in-from two to three inches makes a
good tuck. The waist may be either plain