The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-03-02

loud complaint this Spring from the
stout woman, for all the new styles
seem designed for her slender sister.
The prevailing fashion is certainly
Empire princess, and the newest two
niece suits are shown with jaunty
coats not becoming to all figures. 1t
is, however, the wise woman who
adapts the mode rather than follows it
blindly and clever dressmaker
knows how to make the princess dress
suit all styles and sizes. 1t need not
be necessarily in one piece from head
to foot, but waist and skirt so fitted
that when worn it has the effect OF
a long WASTED princess. If stout
women could once rid themselves of
the idea that they must be pinched to
the gasping point to be elegant they
would appear better dressed.
There is a French saying that "one
must suffer to be admired" but this
Is not true. The Vatican effect is in
variably becoming to stout figures,
giving length at the back and avoid
ing emphasis of the belt size in front.
But as | have said often before, let
the stout woman avoid rigidly and
strictly the light waist and dark skirt.
She can wear all white, all dark or all
medium, or even that uncertain color
called "sky-blue," but never contrast
ing colors
In this respect of plain colors Fash
ion is on the stout woman's side this
season, for the spring colors are all
cool and quiet in tone, grays, mauves,
soft greens and blues. There is an
exception in favor of hair line stripes
and pinhead checks that are attractive
for travellers use. But for travelling
nothing can surpass the product of
the American silk mills They are
both durable and beautiful and every
vellfilled wardrobe should have one
or more American silk dresses. They
are not limitations of imported goods,
but have a quality of their own and
are as popular abroad as they are get
ting to be here They are woven
with very little gloss and the rougher
weaves are particularly desirable for
skirt and coat suits.
But to return to the subject of prin- |
cess dresses, let me describe one de- |
signed for evening wear just received. |
1t is of radium silk of pale raspberry |
color. The skirt is very full, shirred |
TO fit the figure, the stirring sharply |
pointed in the front, girdle fashion |
The foot of the skirt was finished with /
three very narrow box plated frill |
ing. The whole trimming did not
reach above six inches. The neck
was cut low, finished with inch-wide
bands of black velvet above bertha
of white point lace, with little vest
of the lace showing beneath. The
sleeves were small, being tiny puffs
of the silk finished with two narrow
ruffies with a deeper rufle of the lace
falling over the arms and fastened
with narrow bands and bows of black
velvet ribbon.
These ribbons and bows are very
much in evidence on all evening
gowns, as the Empire and Wateau
styles so much in favor must have
black velvet touches to be in perfect
keeping. Sometimes these little bows
are wired to keep them in shape,
again they are made over linen crash.
Little rhinestone buckles often form
the centre.
There are various little frivolities
of fashion this spring. For instance,
1t is a thing now to have sets of hat
Plus alike. Four is the usual number
and they should be of pattern to suit
the hat or custome. For street wear
silver filigree, gilt balls or mother-of-
liants, crystal and rhinestones are fav-
orites. Colored stones to blend with
the shade worn, or enamel in quaint
designs also are attractive.
Scarfs of all widths and lengths are
much in favor If of flimsy chiffon
they are thrown around the neck in a
twist that encrcles the throat with ,
one end hanging straight in front and
the other floating over the left Shout
der. A scarf of lace, however, is worn
more demurely crossed in front and
spread to show the pattern. This lat
ter fashion is especially becomin to
an erect and perfect figure.
Wells of all kinds are shown for the
spring hats, from the costly hand en-
broidered net for the elderly and mid
dle-aged to the floating tulles and chif-
fons for the younger set. Great care
is needed to keep these wells in shape,
and a well-ordered dresser has its veil :
drawer with little perfumed satin cush-
ions on which to wind these frail !,
L. u. |