The Washington times., 1908-01-19

IT. HERE'S no denying that, para
6oxieal as IL may sound, TO be
quite up to date the woman Of
today must have more than a
hint OF antiquity in her dress.
Not content with the clinging, short
WASTED costumes OF the Empire period
she now skips some centuries and
resurrects the schemes OF dressing Of
the ladies OF ancient Greece. These
she nonchalantly adapts to the posi-
bilities Of today's modes.
II one has any remembrance Of ones
French history, one viii perhaps re-
call that at the beginning OF the
French revolution the people Of France
for a while went quite mad on the
subject Of classic dress. The women
did their hair in imitation Of antique
0usts and wore scanty and flowing
drapery. The men, not to be OutdOne,
sacrificed their cherished eurls and
displayed close cropped heads "of the
Roman fashion" It was their way
Of showing admiration for the ancient
republics and the fashion lasted Tor
several years.
So perhaps, after all, we are only
logically retrOgrading. Though,
goodness knows. where we shall land.
hope the movement VIII stop short
Of the Garden Of Eden!
So IN the rather ultra" models one
hnds gowns but a series Of draperies,
skirts and folded waists all flowing
into one; sleeves more often than not
dispensed with in favor of more folds
drawn around the top OF the arm OF
transparent stuffs, hanging low. scarf
ike. toward the elbow.
Now viii the dressmaker have TO
burn the midnight oil-or electric
light, If she be a dressmaker Of fash
iOn-studying the great art % line.
Now viii she have TO consult books of
ancient art to learn the secret Of
draping. For the gowns Of today are
like a dry-pOint etching-no line once
traced OF cut can be erased or hidden
with a frivolous trill, for frills are
things Iabooed.
But now, also, comes the day OF the
amateur dressmaker with a sure eye
for artistic effect. For, after all, the
artistic eye is what is needed to the
success Of these queer semi-classIc
gowns. without thar a gown turned
out by the smartest dressmaker will
LE n GA6GA-eA AdAAAAEs AA4AAE q kONt4
made in the house by the so-much-a-
day dressmaker, under the direction OF
some discerning member OF the fam
ily, may make an effect most fiatteF-
ing to the wearer.
one thing sure. there VIII be an ina
mense saving in the usual expense Of
trimmings, for Of trimming there is
little on these gowns which depend 50
much on the beauty Of material, color
and line
You viii see that IA the figure
marked "A the only trimming visi-
bic is a bit Of fringe on the long scarf
which is draped around 5ae shoulders
Nothing could be more simple than
this dress. Made Of panne satin, sup
pie, yet having some body. it IS cut
on the familiar princess lines. The
skirt Is long and absolutely plain
From the waist up the satin is laid IN
soft folds around the waist. almost
Stimulating a broad girdie. But Just
across the bust II Is mosC unexpectedly
plain
The gown has no sleeves, q scarf OF
the same material with very long ends
taking their place. The neck Is cut in
a round, without a hint OF envy trim
ming whatever. This untrimu ed round
neck Is a feature OF many OF the new
demi-toilstte models But while Il Is
striking, Il Is also very trying, ana 1
fear the percentage OF women 10
whom It would prove becoming is
email. Only & very youthful face aud
perfect neck could wear fl success
fully.
That there may be no mistake about
the Grecian intent Of the tea gown
In the sketch marked b. the de-
signer has put most distinctive
badge upon 1t IN the Greek pattern
which borders IT,
Is Il possible that the delicious
feminine frivoiity Of the tea gown
frivolity which takes the shape OF
frothy white lace ruffies and roses
fashioned of ribbon and all kinds OF
delicate coquetry-wil De sacrificed 10
the severe simplicity OF the classic
n. Es Ghe