The Washington herald., 1913-12-14
FASHIONABLE, GOWNS
FOR THE HOLIDAY
FUNCTIONS

from time immemoriaI. the holiday season
has been one Of entertainments galore
and of merriment without limit but this
season the dance may fairly be said to Be
greater favorite than any other form of amuse-
ment and the the dansante as well a. many
evening affairs will make feature of the Christ
mas festivities. As result, there Is Q little
unusual demand for dainty daytime costumes
The hours that once were given over to skating
and walking to riding and outdoor sports are
now spent in the drawing room. enjoying the
dances that are as fascinating to the behoider
ss they are to the participant Everybody
dances not the younger contingent alone but
the mature also and. If one may venture to use
the term. even the old. There is magic in
the music and it has reiuvenating effect.
Since the dances are by no means all rompa.
the fashion is one to be encouraged h l.
replete with interest and whatever fasinates
and makes beautiful pictures serves q purpose
As a matter Of course, gowns for such purposs
must clear the ground but they are not shorter
than needful and some Of those designed for the
evening dances that are to be worn by the mors
mature contingent are made with separate trains
manda
Every fashionable material is light Of weight;
therefore all are ideal for the dance SILK ATTN,
chiffon. brocade. net. all are In vogue but the
newest models show very noticeable reserve
In the use of trimming. In the words of one Of
our best known importers, big rose and bit
Of fur are almost essential: otherwise little but
the material is required. We trim everything
with fur and it must be admitted it makes
beautiful effect. The bodice garniture Of a
single big flower is almost general and this flower
Is frequently used to give the striking note Of
color or contrast that is individual and dis
tnctive. The rose is the favorite blossom Of the
younger folk but mothers and grandmothers use
orchids and whatever blossoms they may choose.
Almost every skirt is draped slightly at the
front whether it is worn with a tunic or whether
It is not and the kimono blouse is the universal
one. In spite of the fact that these two styles
generally prevail. there is infinite variety to be
found in detail and treatment. For the after
noon dance, crepe charmeuse and MORE velours
are to make perhaps the preferred materials
although slender women are wearing a great
deal of velvet, and velvet this season is light
Of weight as is every other fabric
An exquisite gown that has Just been COM
pIeted In readiness for a debutante's dance Is
made of shell pink taffeta with simple straight
skirt caught up at the front and tunic cut of
at a little above the knees The tunic is finished
at the lower edge with deep Vandyke points
and there is scantily gathered rufle of the
six sewed around these pointa The bodice
q perfectly plain one In the kimono style with
slightly surplice closing and elbow sleeves. Ths
neck and front edges and the sleeves are finished
With soft frills Of ivory white net. The girdle is
of the tafeta laid in soft folds and there is Just
one single rose that covers the closing. :
For an evening dance has been made gown
of white taffeta the slirtof which consists Of
three scantily gathered Aouncea The bodies
is prettily low with round neck and is of the
taffeta to about bust depth. the upper edge
finished only with hem. but above the silk
is suimpe of shadow net and note Of coloris
found in the sash Of emerald green that falls
In long ends at the back. Green. let it be said,
is a pronounced favorite and the real emerald
/, much seen. The color seems especially hand
ZONE in crepe de chine that is so fashionable A
beautiful gown is made of that material with
iraped skirt and a short tunic that is edged
With brown fur while the bodice consists Of
vide girdle that extends to form point at the
'front.' and back with hmono blouse Of net over
! chiffon lining.
For the afternoon dances. necks are almost
uniformly cut in V-shape and the sleeves extend
% the elbows. For the evening dances, neckS
nay be round or square or cut with deeper
filed in with little lace while the sleeves extend
,nly trife over the shoulders.