The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-17
NEW FEATURES OF
SPRING FASHIONS
Increasing Tendency Toward Aeeentu-
ating Everything One Associates
With Pneumonia.

The fashions for spring show two fea-
lures which may be said to be new. First
is the distinct picturesqueness of the
type of all clothes, and second the in
creasing tendency in all that one tradi-
tionally associates with everything fem
mime; soft materials. laces, sheer chif-
fons, draperies, plaitngs. ruffies, and
fchus Even the tailored suit has for
saken the stern masculine type. The
skirts in the plainest tailored suits inya-
riably have hint of an overskirt or
drapery: and the coats are fancy in cut
and style to suit the graceful skirts,
writes Mrs. Ralston in the Ladies' Home
Journal.
Another feature is the general impress
sion of unfittedness that one feels strong
ly in the new fashions. This is given in
a variety of ways; for instance, by the
cut of a waist line. and by the very
loose picturesque manner in which the
new clothes are fitted and worn.
Originality is another noticeable fea-
ture toward which fashions have been
gradually moving, and now it has become
such an important point that il is recog-
nized as the highest type of good style.
j: will be practically impossible in the
present day to exclude, as out of fash
ion. any idea that could be classified as
original good taste. A little analysis Of
you in limited way the wide scope of
the new clothes.
One.piece Gown.
Let us begin with the new ,one-piece
gown which has the distinctive feature OF
being absolutely one piece, and not
merely blouse and skirt Joined upon a
princess foundation. These gowns have
no marked waistline-they hang straight,
and are softly bloused in rather below
the normal waistline, in many cases with
wide, draped sasheS. These sashes are
worn quite low at one side over. the hips.
They are made of velvet and silk, 20
wear with fine wool and serge gowns, or
Of chiffon and mousseline, to wear over
gowns Of silk and satin. The skirt of the
new one-piece gown is narrow and
straight, the scantiness of which is often
relieved by a slit at the direct centsr
front, side or side back, where just the
merest suspicion of drapery is noticed.
Sleeves are less fantastic: in fact. the
very plain sleeves are preferred. Long,
full-length sleeves are more worn in all
kinds Of clothes than they have been for
some time. In the dressy bodices of UNI
lined chiffon you will see the full-length
sleeve rather loosely fitted in soft folds
between wrist and elbow. The sleeves
of coats made of silk, satin and satin
cloth are fitted smoothly into the arm
holes and finished with narrow cording
Many Of the long sleeves in coats and
bodices, and even in some of the dressier
coats, are made Of material contrasting
with the material of the gown or suit.
The kmono sleeve and long shoulder are
still much used in all kinds of clothes.
Soft materials are often draped into the
armhole, giving quite a full appearance
to the sleeve. Other sleeves are gath
cred; and still agin you will find them
plain fitted, but in this case the arm
hole is likely to be larger, and is then
finished with a cording or hemstitching.
Bodices remain very simple, and the
new touches are given largely by con-
trasts in coloring and material.