Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03


WV inertia, II would be altogether
impossible for the woman to
whom her perfect costumes make the
slightest difference in the enjoyment
Of life TO wear again even an even
ing gown that had done service be-
fore Easter time, no matter how
new or how seldom 1t may have been ex-
hib!ted. All modistes declare that it Is more
difficult to evolve from season to season
original designs in evening costumes than
In any other department of the trousseau,
for here all materials are worn at all times
Of the year, saving, OF course, velvet
which would not be comfortable except at
the height of the winter season. But in
view of this statement it is aston shing to
notice how charmingy novel and attractive
many of the new designs for dinner and
ball gowns appear. There are no real bai!
gowns made or fashioned at thls time OF
year, for only the younger members OF So
ciety have dances to attend, and these are
mostly college and school entertainments
which cell for a simpler style OF costume
than the regulation ball dress All the
same, there are many models now on view
that are too elaborate for real olnneT
gown and will serve for the most formal
entertainment that will be held in the
spring or early summer.
Satins, silks, brocades, figured ana en-
broidered crepes, figured and hand-pa1nte1
Chiffons and chiffon handsomely trimmed
with lace, jet. passementere or embroid-
cry, or perhaps all combined, are e:npioyei
in the fashionng of the newest spring con-
fections. and then at this time of year
there are made up great number OF
evening gowns on q less elaborate order OF
such materials as silk, net, moussel!ne,
lace and the plain or shaded chiffons. In
deed, with the house parties that COM
Ineace almost Immediately after Easter, 1t
is necessary for a popular girl or woman
style of evening dress. for it is impossible
to tel beforehand how many dances. din
ners, etc. she is going to encounter in the
few days that comprise the week end.
There are many new qualities of crepe de
chine that are exceedingly effective, and as
soft. draped and Clinging effects are sought
at the moment. there is no better material
10 carry out the new designs than fine
grade of crepe de chine Unless the gown
is most deliberately trimmed plain finished
crepe de chine is not really smart, but the
figured crepes and those with raised vel
vet figures on the order of medallons
worked into the texture itself are many of
them really beautiful. The one color is
generally kept-thc different silks In the
weave giving certain shape effect that is
most attractive. Color can always be in
troduCei in the trimming, and color con-
trasts and unusual shade combinations are
once again much in evidence. Crepe de
chine embroidered in different shades of
silk or in ribbon work, with soft, rides
cent paStcllCs, Elstening steel SpanS!es
worked into the design, makes a most eff
feCtive gown, and gold and silver embroid-
cry are also made much of at present. Jet
is also extremely fashionable for the
spring. but Is, of course, used only on all
black or black and white robes. For young
girls there are many printed crepes that
make charminSly pretty evening gowns
and there are many figured crepe de chimes
that are sufficiently handsome for ball or
opera costume.
a black evening gown is very service
able that it Will be in fashion as long as
the material holds together, and then, too,
II is very seldom that black is not bccom-
ing. especially for evening gowns, when
The material need not come close to the
face. Black chiffon, although rather SOM
Der unless effectively trimmed, Is, when
made on an elaborate model, exceedingly
smart and makes excellent dinner dress.
once again black chiffon made up over
white is fashionable, and unquestionably
the white interlining makes the dress
doubly becoming. There must be at least
two fnterlininSs of chiffon and net over the
silk skirt. for chiffon is so transparent as
10 hang in hard ungraceful folds If laid
directly over silk. Jet trimming is used eN-
tensively on all black gowns this year
dull jet for mourning and the bright for
general wear-and this trimming win help
to keep black gowns in vogue. for it does
so much TO tighten the dress and render 1t
more becoming. Black velvet ribbon
worked in with the jet or ostens!bly loop
ing up or connecting two large jet orna-
ments, softens the Jet and gives a richer
tone To the whole. There are sober, hand
painted black Chiffons, but it seems diff
cult to get cOlOrs that sufficiently dull
or subduCd to work in lell with the black,
and vet lisht-colored painted chiffons
and hats are the more attractive.