The Newtown bee., 1908-03-27
A POPULAR NEW HAVEN FIRM CHARLES M0NS0N X CO.'S OPEN
 ING.

Hundreds of fashionable women visit cd the Charles Monson company stores in New Haven, this week, to get the first view of the smart costumes, silEs and charming summer stutfs shown on the first day of the annual spring open- irg. Every department is in festive attire Tn honor of the opening anG the store never looked more attractive than it does to-day. Monson's is noted for it's exclusive styles, whether in gowns or in the accessories of women's dress, and to-day in the suit room there are scores of distinctive models. All the new goods, the serges, bananas, fancy worsteds, voiles and novelty goods are shown built on the very latest Parisian and London designs. One extremely handsome tailored gown suitable for street or semi-social wear was of voile in bright dark blue, the coat made in the Russian blouse style, called by friv- olous folk this season the Freddy Bear coat,'' and made with smart one seam Jap sleeves so much in vogue. The little vestee was of Venice lace appliqued on dark blue silk, and bands of the silk formed a military design on the sleeves. Another in voile which this year is used considerably was of black, the coat, modification of the Prince Chap, adorned with bands of black silk, and handsome buttons, while the kilted skirt was trimmed with three rows of the taffeta bands. A very pretty suit of fancy worsted in the popular color. dark blue, also at tracted much attention. The skirt was cut with the new flare and was richly trimmed with bands of black silk braid and wide fold of the goods. The coat was a Prince Chap with the new Jap sleeves, while the vestee was of Copen- hagen pongee, with touches of gilt. In the suit room. too,- may be found very handsome silk gowns, made Prin- cess, semi-Empire and the more prac- tical jumper style. Several of these models are charming, and one princess model in plaid of pale blue and corn color attracted much notice! The yoke and sleeves were of net and lace, and dainty bands of ciel blue silk finished the wide arm sleeves and the outside of the yoke. Here one may also find an extremely comprehensive line of lin gerie dresses, lingerie and lace blouses, coats for all purposes and all weathers, and an exclusive line of separate skirts. Down stairs one goes to the silk count CT from the suit room, for it is to be a silk season, and this firm has for years been famous for its silk department. All the new Oriental silks, the Shah, Rajah, Mandarin, Mirage, and the pom gees are shown, all of plain colors, the Mirage and Rijah heavy enough for tailored gowns. Then come for after noon and evening wear the lovely chif- fon taffetas in two toned stripes and the Herringbone weaves. the Louisines, and the old favorites, the foulards in Messaline finish, and in stripes, figures and ever popular polka dot. The elab- crate gowns of the season call for equally elaborate trimmings and mag nifcent embroideries, and laces are shown. Many of the Persian embroid- cries and passementeries are this year hand made and come as high as $40 per yard. These are in exquisite colGrings. As for the faces the Princess bands, Irish crochet, Venice, and Brussels lead in favor, with Cluny also much in evidence this year. As for nets there is no end of the designs, and some of the embroideries for the lingerie dress es are so fine that one has to look closely to see whether it is new kind of lace. At the neckwear counter, too, there are all smart ascots, linen collars and bows so much used by feminity to- day. In fact all through the store, each department is fascinating with its array of lovely things.