Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-18
Gowns for the Young Debutante.

1t Is not at all too soon for the debutante
to be planning her outfit for the coming
winters campaign, and. especially IL her
allowance is not large. she should begin at
once to decide Just how she can invest SO as
to get the best results. 1t is. of course,
much better to have only few costumes,
each one perfect In its own way, than to
have number of gowns all more or less
mediocre in style. With a little careful
planning a most attractive outfit can be
had for comparatively small expense but
one must select durable materials and mod
els that are smart but not too conspicuous
In planning the best use of the money
that can be expended on the wardrobe the
actual necessities must first be provided
and then whatever is left over can go to-
ward completing the outfit. First in i'm
portance Is smart reception and calling
costume Of silk and velvet, for there are
numberless coming-out teas" this first
winter which must be regularly attended
and then. too. this costume must do for
luncheons, matinee parties and all formal
afternoon affairs.
A three-piece gown Of light gray-red. IL
becoming, or an odd shade of blue cloth
all are good shades, but il dark color is
preferred velvet or velveteen is smarter
than cloth. There should be considerable
white on the bodice. so that without the
Jacket the dress will be sufficiently elab-
crate for a formal luncheon. Perhaps the
best investment is handsome black velvet
suit, the only drawback to which is that 1t
will wear SO long. but this may prove too
expensive for year when so many new
costumes must be provided and the cloth
suit can be Just effective.
Naturally the receiving gown is of most
Importance, and the pretty afternoon dress
will generally suffice, 1t can be worn
for receiving at all the teas and can also
be used as a theater gown. 1t is better to
have this distinctively a high gown for II
will be constantly worn, and a guimpe
q uran no.,
bodice Is made all in one piece. This dress
should be white. but the material is always
a subject of much consideration. A soft
silk is sure to make up attractively and be
most serviceable. White cloth makes a
most useful dress, but by some is thought
rather old for a debutante Chiffon is fas-
cinatingly soft and pretty. but cannot
stand great amount of wear. White lace
Is charming, but only good quality Is
attractive, and this is apt to make an ex-
pensive gown.
1t would scarcely be possible to get along
the first winter without at least two even
ing gowns. OF these one should be white
which will not be as easily remembered as
decided shade. although the white may
be quite as handsome and deliberately
made. The other gown had best be of some
pale shade of pink. blue. green or whatever
color is most becoming. If there can be a
number of gowns conspicuous shades may
be selected. but with a limited number the
gowns must be pretty but not too striking
One satin dress Is almost obligatory, for Il
is comparatively easy to keep a satin gown
in order. while chiffon. lace or net has to
be constantly freshened and continually
mended.
An evening wrap is so very important
that 1t is astonishing how often 1t is left
unprovided for. Silk. satin and chiffon
wraps are all much In vogue at present
but the most serviceabe cloak to be had
is Of white cloth. Particularly IL a white
cloth gown is decided upon for afternoons
white wrap practically gives another
costume, for, worn together, the wrap and
dress will make smart theater costume
and can often be worn instead of the dark
cloth velvet suit for luncheons and re-
ceptions