The Washington herald., 1906-12-09

The occasions for smart dressing in the
last week were almost as varied as the
weather itself. which made the average
woman long 10 return to summer gar
ments for several days and shlver in
furs the rest OF the time. The Senate
gallery at the opening Of Congress, the
series Of afternoon receptions, and a
number Of smart dinner parties brought
out new and handsome creations.
Mrs. Fairbanks. who in past seasons
has shown a marked preference for white
or gowns of d very light shade, has de-
parted from that custom and at the first
dinner party in her honor, last week,
wore magnificent creation Of black
chiffon cloth that proved most becoming.
The skirt, which is made with a train
yard long, fits smoothly. with deep invert-
ed pleats on the center seam of the back.
The chiffon is paiIletted in gold and silver
from hem TO belt. The hem is strengthen
ed by four-inch band of chiffon vel
vet, over which the scalloped edge Of the
gold paillettes lap. This decoration COM
prises border ten inches deep, going
completely around the skirt. Above this
pattern are graceful designs in the silver
paillettes, the silver motif being consid-
erably smaller than the gold that gives
the chief character to the deep border.
Above the silver decoration is a de-
tached cluster Of gold, and so on to the
belt The front of the skirt is slashed on
each side, where two fan pleatings Of
plain chiffon cloth begin in a point nine
inches below the belt and open 10 twelve
inches at the hem, the front edge being
fastened by long loops and knots of
black velvet ribbon
The bodice, which is cut square in the
neck and not very low. follows the sur
plice suggestion back and front. but
without the exaggerated effect. The entire
garment being of the chiffon, showing
the gold and silver decoration, with the
addition Of point applique lace about the
neck This is land perfectly fat with high
relief picked out in gold, the lace widen
ing slightly above the bust line to fill the
space from the square cut neck to the
sleeves. The latter are elbow lengh.
The chiffon cloth is used for a single
pun, starting from the shoulder which
ends in narrow band Of velvet that
curves upward from the elbow The bot
tom Of the sleeves. fitting closely. is
velvet and narrow lace The bodice and
skirt are interlined with black chiffon.
with black taffeta as the foundation. A
useIul and pretty accessory TO this gown
IS a scarf of the chiffon cloth eighteen
inches wide and almost four yards long.
the ends being treated to the gold and
silver paillettes used in the gown. with a
fringe Of the gold balls.
Another handsome dinner gown worn
last week is the light pink velvet Of Mrs
Hope Slater. which was greatly admired
IN New York. This gown gains its charm
chiefly from the superb quality OF the
VeIVeI which takes on a slightly frost
tipped tone in certain lights. The decollete
bodice is embellished only by aat
fiounce of old lace across the bust Tbe
sleeves are short with narrow lace ruff
hes With this gown Mrs. Slater wears
stIing OF very handsome pearls.
Nothing prettier has been seen in after
noon toilets than the light blue gown in
which Miss Margaretta Symons made her
bow last Monday. The skirt has q de-
cided train, and is fitted TO the slender
figure of its wearer by deep yoke Of old
fashioned shocking I'm diamond pattern
The bottom of the skirt has two-inch
band of broadcloth exactly the same color
as the moire. and above thnt a pattern of
scroll and dots in the same cloth. This
decoration is without any visible stitches
or edge of braid
The bodice is pointed back and front,
with bands of graduated width from the
shoulders 10 the waist line decorated in
cloth in a smaller design than that en-
plOyed on the skirt
The space between the bands is shocked
Ike the upper part Of the skirt The
bodice is cut square, back and front
and filed in with white lace in smooth
chlmesette style, ending IN a high lace
stock edged with blue
The sleeyes-there are really three
sleeves TO each arm-are mainly Of lace.
The first OF the last, according to where
one begins. is of shocked chiffon. fitting
closely from the wrist TO elbow. where it
is lost in fall Of lace. The lace is the
same pattern as the yoke, and full and
straight from the shoulder.
Over this is the third sleeve, which Is of
brOadcloth, but so unlike anything here
tofore known in cloth sleeves, as 1t is
entirely in Open-wOrk Of small diamonds,
the lines of the cloth being cut by a
perfOrating machine TO a delicate thread
almost like lace. This outer sleeve is open
on the top. falling away from the lace
rufIle. The cloth is untouched by needle
or thread.
Another debutante gown attracting
much admiration is a white and silk ere
alton of Miss Jessie Steele. who will make
her formal bow to society at a reception
l.