Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-15

CLOTHES
FOR OLDER WOMEN

EXCEPT in very few instances. there
- should be no age line in fashions
There is, or should be, difference in col
ors, and to certain extent in materials,
but not in styles. On the whole, the
styles of the day are quite as well suited
to women of one age as of another.
In regard to cOlors, young girl can
wear the most startling, trying shades
and carry them off more or less success
fully but an older woman has to con-
slider what is suitable and becoming. and
choose colors that will help her. She
should avoid bright. harsh shades that
call for a young, fresh complexion on the
one hand, and the drab tones and dull
blacks that suggest the old lady on the
other. Dark colors are more becoming
to stout figures than light shades that
have a diffusng quality and make a
woman look larger than she is. The stout
woman should never wear all white. or
light pinks and blues. or yellows.
Soft indefinite colors suit an older
woman better than brighter shades They
should avoid all light colors except white,
pearl silver and oyster gray, any shade
of clematis, wistaria or pansy color, and
black and white for their gowns and
dresses For street suits older women
should keep pretty close to very dark
blues, blacks and dark grays.
If YOU wear chiffons and veilings in
your evening dresses. be sure that they
are weighted properly with fringe or
beads. or embroidery, so that they VIII
fall in straight. limp lines about your
figure. The white fichu that is SO smart
on afternoon and evening gowns is
style that is perfectly suitable for mid
dle-aged woman. unless she happens to
be stout. 1t is hardly style that looks
well on a large figure.
coat suit of black and white striped
serge and black hat trimmed with white
wings is one Of the handsomest outfits
for a woman of mature years. Black and
white fabrics are always stylish, but
care must be taken not to select the
attention than even brilliant color
schemes A modest black-and-white plaid
is suitable for any age, but large. pro-
nounced plaid is too loud for a conserva-
tive woman. The same rule holds for
stripes. There are striped goods in most
exquisite taste and others may be called
stunning, but they will not be chosen by
the woman who does not want her
clothes to have a sort of a sign-board
enect.
Proper black and white is always
safe purchase. The combination Of black
and white in which the black is worn
over the white Is among the smartest
color tones An embroidered black chiffon
over white satin is often seen in the
handsome imported gowns, and black
chiffon waists over white silk or satin
are among the most popular models.
An elderly woman seen recently at a
reception wore a most becoming costume
of gray and pink, which set on the beauty
Of her nearly white hair and gave the
faintest shade of pink to her cheeks,
which was a great deal prettier than any
rouge effect she might have tried. The
skirt of her gown was of gray cloth, the
bodice of gray chiffon over gray silk,
with q small yoke of lace and narrow
piping of pink where the yoke and bodice
Joined Over this she wore long even
ing coat of gray broadcloth Ined with
soft pink silk.