The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-14
EMPIRE
 STYLES
In Vogue for All This Sea. 3on's WeddinGs-May be Worn for Other
 Occasions

HE Easter wedding of this year
 Of grace is to be first of all a
 picturesque affair. The girl who
 marries a title and the girl who marries for love will both have brides, maids that will look as if they had just stepped out of the frame of one of Davids or Homney's or Matters s pictures-those masters who knew so we'll how to linn the beauty of youth and soft hair and svelte fgures-and short-waisted fashiOns!
 Empire styles will be much in vogue for all kinds of frocks, and even wraps, the coming summer, so that the bride who chooses this graceful period for the gowns of her attendant nymphs will not only be surrounding herself with picturesque frame, but will be conferring a favor upon the girls who attend her. Too often the girl of slender means is obliged to decline the joyous and important role of brides maid on account of the brides thought less choice of costume for her maids. The average girl cannot afford to spend a large sum upon costume which she may never be able to wear again, except to a possible fancy ball.
 Very rich brides, such as the present Lady Decies, who was Miss Vivien Gould, furnish the gowns of their bridesmaids. so of course feel at lib- erty to indulge in extravagant fancies. A recent New York bride who was attended by five lovely girls, robed them all in gowns of white cloth which cost $2V0 piece. Each white-clad maiden wore a sable toQue and car ried a huge sable huff. These simple but luxurious costumes were ordered ana paid for by the brides doting papa and the nuffS took the place of the bit of jewelry usually given to the maiGs by their newly married friend.
 Thus this year may the girl who has recently been invited to walk up the aisle before her friend of the white veil and the long train need have no qualr:S of conscience even if the in vitation is not supplemented by hint be chosen and paid for by the bride. The chances are that nine out of ten Easter brides, and also those. of June, will choose Empire fashion and gowns made in this style may be worn all summer and at least part of next win ter as well.
 Empire wedding gowns are particu- Iarly happy. They are soft and youth flu, in effect, which is more than can be said of almost any other style of white satin gown that a young bride may wear. The unbecomingness of the conventional wedding gown of our mothers day-stiff white brocade plain ly made-was so universal that a few years ago artistic dreSSmakerS in Paris commissioned an artist to evolve some thing that would make the bride look less like victim on her wedding day. Then came soft materials more in harmony with youth than the dowager- like brocades, and pearl and ivory tones of white were used instead of the traditional dead white tone that drove every vestige of color from the poor girls face. Tulle veils that en- veloped her like poetic cloud replaced the trying veil of lace, and net and tulle were introduced at neck and sleeves to soften harsh lines. The first wedding gowns of chiffon and muSSe- line were looked upon as alluring revo- lutionaries. To-day they have, for spring and summer weddings, almost entirely replaced the bridal robe of heavy satin and brocade.
 The bridal robe shown in the illus tration of pearl white satin chameuse is much in the mode of the bridal gown of Lady Decies. It is semi-Em- above the normal waist line. Sections of Duchesse lace, cut with deep points, encruSt the front of the bodice and the skirt and are yelled with white chiffon. The neck Is outlined with a band enn- broidered with silver and seed pearls. A similar band confines the slight full ness of the chiffon at the knees The bretelles on the bodice are prolonged into bands which decorate the sides Of the skirt These bands show a design of lilies-of-the-valley embroidered in silver and seed pearls. The back gores, which form square train, slope to the front where they are slightly draped over a band of Duchesse lace. The drapery is elapsed by a small garland of orange blossoms. Above the lace cuff the sleeve is clasped by cluster of orange blossoms. ..
 T.. maid of honor attending this brfce wears a practical gown which will serve her for many reception