The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

~ forecasting the characteristics of
the spring costumes or OF the
demi saison models 1T was deemed
expedient TO ask the opinion of a COS
mopolitan modiste. Mrs. condon-who
was surrounded by rose colored draper
les and rolls OF rose paper, willow
chairs in heap and the smell of var
nish everywhere-looked rather the
fashionable mondaine seen in the midst
OF redecorating her boudoir. She was
in fact, getting her new atelier above
the new tea rom, in order and had
,notored over from her home to SUI
perintend arrangements. In black vel
vet gown severely plain. her golden
head encased in a close black turban
a big coat thrown back she was the
personification of a bright winter day;
but as she talked of the wonderful
soft, clinging fabrics. pale tinted silk
and cotton and crisp, airy looking ra-
tines one mentally saw the approach
breezes and skies serene that will be
the accompaniment to washable silks
As TO the, as yet, complicated puz-
z1e of what will compose the wardrobe
OF the woman of 1913. Mrs Condor
hastened with assurances that she will
be charming enough to make up for all
the unpleasant things the seers have
prophesied for the next Il months "rhe
woman of 1915" she remarked after
= inoment of smiling consideration, lis
TO be the woman of later 1912, ideal
lied. Her dress will symbolic the sub
lime afterthought; for she will walk IN
narrow skirts and yet be hobbled. Her
hats, still daintily small her boots,
scrupulously neat. her hose embroider-
cd with a dainty motif to match her
gown are among the careful details
TO compose her toilette. She will wear
brilliant colors' she pursued; reds
and greens and purples. The woman of
1918 will have more sartorial daring
and a surer sense of color harmony.
She will not however. abandon the
open throat blouse. In fact, the v
shaped opening may become the v
shaped opening if there is a real sum
mer!' And she laughed as she tossed
back the big coat she was wearing,
and her own throat rose like column
of white marble from the low neck
of her sable gown. II detest collars"
it, sleeves to the elbow or above 1t
and no collar at all are the most youth
giving improvements that may be made
TO the most fascinating gown. True,
some will be worn high necked and
long sleeved. but my preference is
all for the other fashion.
There will be few radical changes
in fashion," concluded Mrs. Condor; in
broad outline. woman will still be in
1s12-but with the corners taken Off.
Materials
The fabrics for the new spring gowns.
according to Mrs. Condor, must be of
the clinging sort. THE popularity of
charmeuse," she remarked. lis giving
way to crepe weaves in silk. Some of
these are wonderfully brocaded or have
deep borders that are an Inspiration for
the designer. There are cotton crepes,
TOO, and cotton ratines which are mar
wells Of sheer crispness. At Burgers this
week 1 found beautiful supply of cotton
ratines in mingled designs or with at.
tractive borders.
For the dainty little lingerie gowns.
said Mrs. Condor. there are some ex-
auisite fiouncings, elaborately embroidered
--some of them with a transparent motif
woven into the heavy design. At Love-
man, Joseph & Loeb's. where bewilder-
ing array of new things is already in
stock, I found some extraordinary types.
For young woman who wore it to one
Of the dinner parties attendant upon the
Inauguration of Governor Hooper in Nash
VILE, l made one of these lovely things
week OF TWO ago 1 es. Hounclns uoes
furnish a difficult problem for the de-
signer. After she has made straight.
full skirt of it there seems nothing else
to do. IT requires all her ingenuity and
skill to effect becoming and artistic
gown. but the final result Is gratihea-
tion. indeed. when she has brought these
into use.
4yoies are to be used again. she con-
tinued. Il am just completing pink en-
broidered one for one of the prettiest
Of the debutantes. II is beautifully en-
broidered and the double skirt gives a
fine use for the border. IT VIII be com
binsd with cotton lace that closely re-