The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-27
GLANCE AT FASHIONS I'm CAPITAL
Expert TELLS OF the Welsowned Woman OF Smart Society. What
She Wears. When
ny MARGARET WADE.

The joint Cabinet reception of Wednes.
day afternoon when Mrs. Marshall and
the ladies of the Cabinet received in a
body, may have accomplished something
in the vexed problem of making and re.
ceiving calls, az its promoters desire. II
did not. however, establish any standard
for afternoon dressing. as the variation
in the costumes Of the receiving line was
proportionately just as great as among
the twelve hundred visitors.
Now that simplicity is the keynote OF
Official life, with Mrs. Wilson a splendid
example Of simple dressing without vio-
lating the canons OF good taste and suit
ability, society at large Is quite ready to
note with satisfaction and interest. II not
always to follow further example by the
hostesses of the administration circle.
Mrs. Marshall. thus far the most fash
ionably attired of the new Democratic
leaders, as usual on afternoon occasions
wore a rather elaborate demi-toilet. black
chiffon yelling a mauve satin along grace
full and modish lines.
= Mrs. Marshalrs gown had a still further
festive touch given it by a large corsage
bouquet of orchids.
Mrs Bryan who stood next, wore a
gray gown, more in the line Of a visiting
than a reception costume. Mrs. Bryan
also emphasized her position as an as
sistant, rather than a hostess, by wear
ing a smart, round hat matching
her gown. with its trimming largely In
purple violets so natural that they lacked
nothing but fragrance.
The other hcstesses, or assistants. ac-
cording TO the point of view, presented
widely different models in dress.
Mrs. Garrison, wife of the Secretary OF
War, wore a Chinese blue gown in char
meuse or light weight cloth, made some
what after the cossack model now coming
to the trent, with broad turned over col
lar embroidered in self-colored and white
silk.
Mrs Burleson. the petite wife of the
Postmaster General, according to the
usual custom of the far South hostesses
wore a trained gown with much taupe en-
bellishment. This was colored satin and
chiffon deliberately trimmed in spangles
and bugles, taking on the same shades.
Although following the general lines of
a dinner gown, the high guimp and under
sleeves of net and lace brought this up
to the requirements of the hour.
Mrs. Daniels also wore satin and chiffon
in the taupe tones, with square necked
bodice embroidered in gold, with half
length sleeves. Both neck and sleeves
were finished in gray tulle.
Mrs. Lane wore one of the handsomest
gowns of the afternoon. A white satin
underskirt with overdress of very pale
rose pink brocade, the latter in the new
small figures of this spring.
Mrs. Lanes overdress was particularly
smart. following the open in front polan-
aise idea with rounded skirt, and long
line from shoulder to waist. This was
finished with a chic little waistcoat Of the
white satin, white lace, and delicate pink
tulle
Mrs Houston, who stood next to Mrs.
Lane. wore precisely the kind Of a gown
any lady might be glad to wear to re-
ceiye visitors in her own house on a sum-
mer afternoon. This was white wolfe.
or marquisette, daintily made with round
trimmed skirt, round, high necked, long
sleeved bodice. Plus a hat, Mrs. Houston
would have been ready for a White House
garden party, or a Potomac Park con-
cert.
Mrs. Redfield. wife of the Secretary Of
Commerce, who stood at the end of the
line, wore an afternoon visiting gown of
violet satin.
In the matter of simplicity and at the
same time meeting every requirement of
the occasion. nothing could be better than
the white dress in which Mrs. Houston
made her first appearance in general So
ciety
This particular hostess only recently
Joined her husband, the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, at their apartment in the High
lands.
The visitors of this history-making oc-
casion includes a large proportion of the
Congressional circle: that is, the feminine
portion. the lawmakers themselves being
represented by wife or daughter, and nice
little Visitings cards. With every part
of the country thus presenting some ia
vored daughter in her best attire, the as
semblage naturally took on a national or
even international complexion. For there
were diplomats wives present as well as
Congressmen's wives, although the diplo-
mats had as rule called on the respective
hostesses at their respective homes few