Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05

let's. is early or late in the month, accord
ing to the advance of the season
Some splendid dresses are now in process
Of making for it, designed for the elegantes
who yearly appear in the competition for
perfection. For gowns enter into the ques-
ton as much as the novel decoration OF
vehicles, and just at this time the great
makers are specially famed for the SPLEEN
dor and individuality of their creations
Indeed, so important Is the battaille des
Heurs In the fashion world that big dress
makers use the opportunity to exploit their
new costumes, which will be worn by some
handsome workwoman or model. These
are in turn copied by the little dressrna kers
many OF whom are so dependent upon the
verdict of the floral day as to refuse to
discuss summer fashions until 1t is over.
In very celebrated atelier in the Rue St
Honore were shown some elegant fete dress
es, with all the choice accessories which
should accompany them.
Careful Choosing.
1T is necessary that we choose those,
too" said the well-known head of this
house, for the wrong hat. collet parasol.
would wreck the choicest creation"
With this three very distinctive and wholly
lovely costumes were displayed, each cha
peau, neck-plece or what not blending so
harmoniously with the toilet as to seem
part of 1t.
A costume royalle." as it was designated
took first place for magnlficence. This was
In faded pink chiffon cloth. inset with a
deep saffron lace, embroidered and appliqued
with the pink. The gown was in q species
of princess opening over a deep vest of
saffron net friled with lace the bodice
fastening at the waist with two pink velvet
bows. The short bell sleeves were arranged
In fiounces, under-sleeves of lace, decked
with velvet, bringing them to elbow length.
And now for accessories" said monsieur,
and laid out parasol of dim pink taffetas-
OH ID TNF OH
lace and pink embroidery.
THE hat should be OF saffron leghorn,'
he declared, with pink ribbons and pink
and white flowers and the gloves suede in
pale saffron"
Shoes. pink satin" concluded monsieur,
stockings same colGr. bien sure and a
necklace Of big, dull gold beads"
Real Partisan.
The other frocks displayed were even more
wonderful in point OF charming color, while
showing that delicate restraint which can
only be called Partisan. A costume In en-
pre green, which is a color to which one
or two Of the great makers have given an
elegant cachet, had "A princess skirt OF
chiffon cloth and a satin jacket. The skirt
whose long ciinging lines were its CHIEF
beauty, was entirely plain. and the barest
touch of narrow black velvet and rich white
lace decked the jaunty jacket. The hat de-
signed for this gown was an odd walking
shape of fine green straw, decked solely with
huge clusters of plumes fantases-white,
with green fiecks at the points.
In point of purely Partisan essence-that
thing which is at once unusual and delight
FULLY notes.-the third frock took by ali
odds, the palm. This was In dull smoky
shade of gray chiffon over white faille,
black velvet band at the skirt bottom and
a narrower one outlining the neck of the
surplice waist giving the gown immense
distinction The hat was of gray and black
erin trimmed with white. and with the
fetching costume was exploited d dainty
neck ruche of gray spotted tulle with black
velvet ends These three toilets are shown
in the present drawing.
Charming Season.
So enormous is the display everywhere of
airy textiles that there Is no doubt but
that the summer will be unusually charm
ing in point of dress. A very exquisite ma
terial called pineapple tissue, but which
bears no relationship to the Philippine prod
uct. is advanced by one maker. The gauzy
fabric. which Is as delicate as a butterfiy's
wing. permits beautiful colorlns, which
takes the form of splendid borders. uniquely
patterned. The body of the most effective
patterns in this Is in banana, the shade OF
the flesh of the red banana.
Empire and princess models continue to
reign but they have by no means set aside
lHc DDuiCe BDWu- WHICH EAiHS Il new CIHTIu
from its more staid qualities. But there Ia
no doubt that empire borrowings have In
troduced many points In dress which are
most allurtng, as witness the narrow
shoulder scarfs which this vogue inau-
gurated. Delight in these graceful cover
ings is not a whit abated, and the woman
who does not own small collection OF
them is poor indeed Chiffon scarfs tho
color of the gown, with Greek borders in
gold, are the latest trihes in this depart
ment.
Shoes and Gloves.
Gloves and shoes are very carefully con-
sidered here. and French women are al
ways wondering why Americans are in q
measure indifferent to harmonies In this
respect. ''Droll' Is the word they use for
the black gloves worn hero by American
women with colored gowns Then they
point to their feet. Behold their shoes,h
which are all black too, and frequently or
soft kid, which Is unheard OF in Paris for
fine gown.
The only elegant street shoe in Paris il
of patent leather, with q cloth upper the
color of the costume. Carriage shoes are
of bronze or fancy kid or of silk or satin
richly embroidered The variety Is not lost
upon the world for In the grander vehicles
little feet pass. posed upon silken cushions,
SO that ali the world may see them. And
lastly the color of the foot cushion and
the style of its trimming matches shoes
and costume exactly. NINA FITCH.
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