The Colorado statesman., 1907-05-11

Japan mas conquered the world OF
fashion. Evidently to conquer is the
privilege of this country-anyway, just
now it seems its meter. The world
of dress is in arms to receive it, lit
orally up in arms, for every sleeve
bears traces of the Japanese in its ex-
tensive width and limited length, and
all the cloaks hang kimono-wise from
the shoulders, while embroidery runs
riot on garments of every description.
Not necessarily japanese in design,
admit, but still the world of fashion
takes immense pride in it's embroidery
of many colors, caring little from
which country it's patterns may be in
spired, and amongst many successes
In cloaks l would chronicle one of
black net lined with soft silk and chif-
fon, trimmed with embroideries of
many colors, alternating with designs
Of cut cretonne, worked round with
ribbons and gold thread. A gorgeous
garment of much elegance-and much
expense.
Nearly all of the short-waisted
dresses worn last winter were made in
a sort of semi-princess style. The bod
ice portion was ight-ftting and the
skirt half-corsiet, half princess. Now
quite a different outline is in favor;
the waist line is placed about three
inches higher than it really ought to
be, and the skirts are, for the most
part, slightly gathered. 1 am now
speaking of afternoon and evening
dresses. Happily for the tailor-made
morning, costume, our waists are still
permitted to retain their correct place
and outline.
1t is hardly necessary for me to
point out that gathered skirt, ar
ranged in short-waisted manner, is
capable of making it's wearer decid-
edly bunchy. Only an exceptionally
slender figure can carry off one of
these costumes with perfect grace, and
one trembles to think of the possibil-
tiles of the future.
The mitten sleeve is rapidly coming
into favor, and Redfern must be
given the credit of reviving this charm
ing fashion, and he is now making the
best use of 1t.
1t is quite surprising to note the
rapidity with which this particular re-
vival has dashed into favor with the
Parisiennes. A month or two ago the
sleeves on all the best dresses were
quite short, rarely covering the elbow
Now we are rushing to the other
extreme, and are gladly welcoming
sleeves which extend well over the
wrist.
For summer blouses semi-short
sleeves will still be very fashionable,
but for voile and crepe de chine
dresses we shall adopt sleeves ar
ranged in soft puffs from shoulder to
elbow and finished off with tight un-
der-sleeve which extends right over
the wrist in graceful curve.
On some os the smart little lace and
cloth coates l have noticed exceed
lngly short sleeves, SO short that they
only reach half way between the
shoulder and elbow. But the intention
is that these coates shall be worn
over an elaborate blouse which boast
ed the sleeves which I have described,
the single puffs and tight mitten fall
ing over the wrists.
The little coates of which l am now
speaking are Japanese in outline, and
particularly effective when made of
real Japanese materials. I have al.
ready warned my readers against plac.
ing too much faith in the ubiquitous
kimono sleeve. because by reason OF
it's popularity 1t is doomed to early
death.
The dress shown on the right of our
large illustration is variation of the
popular style of the'moment, and Is es.
pecially becoming to the maidenly
wearer. Such dress is equally
suitable and smart for brides.
maids wear or for home
dinner or concert party. Soft satin
mousseline is. of of course, the ideal
fabric for its making. the pinafore
! straps OF the bodice being edged with
a little killed frill and being crossed
over softness of lace and net, pale
rose pink or turquoise blue making
. very effective contrast with ivory lace,
though, of course, an all white gown
Is always charming for a girl. In
any case the chosen color should be
repeated in the band and bow Of satin,
Enishing on the elbow sleeves, while
= ribbon to match can be twisted In