The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-12
FASHION REACHES BACK
 TO FIRST EMPIRE STYLE
BY THE COUNTESS CARLO DE CARL.

Nice, April 11.-F ashions have gone back , hundred years or more-to the classical lines of the first empire, and the key note of the spring mode is a strict fol- lowing of the lines of the figure. It is no longer thought necessary to pinch and deform the waist or torso with tight that the corset will disappear altogether and be replaced by a simple ceinture, which will keep the waist firm, but allow the rest of the body perfect liberty and freedom of movement. It will easily be seen, therefore, that it is the slender and graceful woman who will continue to carry all before her. so, of course, every woman will be slender.
 Although we shall see a most delight full mish-mash of styles, such as, for in- stance Directoire jackets with Japanese sleeves worn with Louis XVI. hats-an effort will be made to show the whole
 of the figure as much as possible, not
 only the body, but also the limbs, and
 we shall, therefore, look very much like
 modern classical figures
 On the Riviera-at Nice, Cannes or
 Monte Caro-where all the fashionable
 world will continue to sun itself until
 after Easter, when it will again flock
 to Paris. these styles are beginning to
 
 Carlo, which was so very clinging that
 with every movement of the wearer each
 detail of the shape was thrown out The dress was made in soft, rich, cream colored Liberty satin, entirely embroid- cred in relief with large sprays of flowers and made with a seam down the front. Another very noticeable thing is the decided tendency sleeves have of becom- ing quite tight and clnging to the arm. Most of .nem, even those worn on smart day dresses, are transparent being made 1 in either tulle, lace or chiffon, and re- | vealing the contours of the arm. Possess | sors of pretty well-rounded arm will I, be sure to make the most of this style
 while it lasts, but it is doubtful if it will l remain fashionable long, for to most wo- men it Is extremely trying.
 |, The tailor-made costume, with short | jackets or basques, and short skirt will 1 be exclusively reserved for morning 1 walks, automobne excursions or long jour | neys. The dem-tailormade will be much | less worn this year, and will be re- l placed by an afternoon gown of soft light material, worn with a mantalette of soft | silk or echarpe or with one of those pretty {! little new loose coats which are so at l tractive.
 | Tussor in all the new colorings is also very much to be worn again this season. l Cretonne and the "toles d Asace'' which | were formerly so popular are reappearing with old designs and in such delicate | shades that they will be assured a grea. l success as the summed days approach. | The little jackets, which are so handy | and comfortable in the spring when it | is still too chilly to go without a jacket l altogether, will be made of these mate l rials and will be worn with short skirts l of the same material but of one color. | Tulle will be much in demand for the | smart afternoon dresses. The fancy for | stripes has not yet passed away; on the contrary, the inventors of fashion have
 rejuvenated these materials by trimming