New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-24

Truly the world has entered upon an era OF
picture frocks. but the picture frock IS more
worthy OF Its name than the picture hat usually
has been. The dropping sleeves-kInaono sleeves
as they are calied-go with lengthening trains ana
soft clinging materials. without a Particle OF
stiffness or even silk fril 10 hold them out about
0ss feet, 80 that the skirts actually wind them
eelrss seTpent-like about the figure It Is not az
al practical for everyday life but such styles are
not intenoed for everyday life. In fact. they can
scarcely be taken I'D by the general public at all
They demand 6 carriage a motor. and by the
sane token ought to have a certain element OF
GeTnanency. Fashions change, not unaccountably
or capTici0usly, some imagine but for perfectly,
definite and recognizable reasons. One is that the
people who make money out OF clothes want them
70 change, ard another IS that as soon as fashion
IS taken up by the general public the elite de-
msnd something new. II would seem that the
picture Crock was absolutely beyond the reach OF
proclamation by the profanum vulgus and might
therefore count upon a long lease Of life
IN this era OF clnging picturesque drapery Il
has been predicted that the American woman will
End herself at a disadvantage. Il takes an Eng
Ashwoman. Il Is said. 10 carry or picturesoue
gown, just as the smart toilet demands an
American wesrer. and frills and auhHness seem 10
belong peculiarly 10 the French. But this Of
course, IS only one side Of the fashion. The same
woman may be severely tailor made at one time
and graceful and picturesque a few hours later
~ all depends on whether she is tramping through
New York streets or going 10 a dinner. The style
ot the trailing robe Is one thing and that OF the
clearing length costume another whether the latter
.s tailor made OF a costume Of greater ceremony
i IS mistake 20 shorten the trailing Paris robes
as Americans, who always want a greater mum.
Der Of short gowns than the Parisans sometimes
do The robe that is built on trailing lines should
trail and il CONN is 10 look wei in clearing
length Il should be constructed with that end IN
view from the foundations.
The keynote Of the fashions this season IS found
IN the kimOno sleeve II has determined the stvla
Of the rest OF tie gown. and has very eTectualy
accomplished The supreme enl OF fashion, namely,
THAT OF making L impossible 10 wear last years
gowns or last years anything For The kmono
sleeve IS everywhere. These sleeves were created
By leading Partisan house for Signora Eleanora
Dase and are sometimes called manches Ia
Duse- Duse, il IS said, now wears no other, and II
looks as II before long else would do so
either. K is an open secret that the authorities
Intend 10 run th.s sleeve hard az summer ana It's
beauty and simplicity OF car are 50 allurinR that
q can scarcely escape general adoption which is
unfortunate for these who 10 keep Il all 20
themselves.
IA spite Of al predictions The Empire back Is
san wiJi IA. and thc front has grown a little
siofier 10 correspond II is a charming style. ana
lrtssnate-s have many clever devices Tor giving
fhe Dlzmp woman a chance 70 wear H.
CHE nsw zkiyis SHOW a tendency 10 overdrapsEy.
bus this latter IS continued upward 10 ;ae shout
1esE forming a polonaise. Some OF the most
.cautiful o. The spring models simply wrapped
around the hgEre klasonO-ike with the overlapping
s1ge Graped gracefully over the bust and down
ne 'front.' q the skirt The princess skirt Is tho
rage hut Il Is Often sewed 10 the bodice. making
. gown al IN one Iisce
Much % tho sscsess og tie lsd gown depends