The Washington times., 1913-12-28
M
Z DEAR SUSAN:


there is nothing else in the world worth writ
ing about Mrs. Draper has given elaborate
parties in the past as you we'll know, but
she never did attain such heights Of social
success before.
To begin with, the decorations and music
we're perfect, and then, as the guests assem-
bled, it was easy to see that there was going
to be rivalry, for the costumes were perfec-
ton, too.
Aside from enjoying the party as party,
| learned more about history than ever
knew there was to learn. I'm frank to admit
to you that I'm little shy on French his
tory-or at least was but III be willing to
wager that there is not much now that do
not -sartorially, at least. All those
chatted with told me the history Of the COS
tune which they wore. don't exactly mean
that. | mean they told me the fashionable
epoch of history which the gown represented.
And they also told me that undoubtedly the
gown, or parts of it, would prevail as the
present day fashion as soon as it could be
-emade. Rather long jump from the
Moyen Age to the age of the hobble skirt and
the tango.
And speaking of the tango, must not
forget to tell you that with those costumes
the minuet just naturally took the place of
the tango One couple attempted to tango,
but it didn't 60.
holiday season who told me that they couldn't
accept the Draper ball invitations, because
a fancy dress costume wouldn't exactly fit as
a part of a rousseau.
Harking back to the ball, must tell you
that there were at least 800 guests. Of
course, in Mrs. Draper's ballroom even so
many can be easily and comfortably accom-
modated. AS usual, she inyited the old and
Young, and the dowagers sat around the sides
of the wonderful tapesuy-hung room, which
had been almost transformed with American
Beauty roses and smilax, and they made
picture | won't soon forget with their cos
tunes, that were magnificent, and becoming,
too
How much they seemed to enjoy chatting
and watching the younger contingent, which
neId the center of the floor! There was much
visiting among them, too. One dear old lady
told me she had made engagements to SIT
for spell" with so many of her friends
who she unfortunately did not get chance
TO see as often as she would like, that sne
supposed the evening wouldn't be long
enough to complete her program. In her
wav, | guess she was vying with any debu-
tante there, as far as popularity was con-
cerned.
1t is remarkable to me how particularly
becoming the gowns were to the present-day
folks. And jewels! never saw SO many IN
nv life, but I'm frank to say that prefer
the present-day fad for not so many at
time.
The Young girls looked so beautiful IN
the Moyen Age costumes! Margaret Draper,
who grows more beautiful each year, and
VINO seems to select a more becoming COS
tune each year, made lovely Queen Marie
of Anjou, wife of Charles VII of France.
Her gown was made of rose-colored bro
caded velvet. with bands of ermine edglng
the skirt and the bodice. IL.
Her hair was parted in the middle and
arranged in two long braids that fell over
each shoulder in front. A marvellous head
dress of gold cloth and a long Brussels lace
veil which almost reached the floor, complet-
ed the costume. She wore the pearls which
her father gave her the year she came out
s,,,,,- 70, IT,. '.-- 3:
Mrs. Draper certainly looked the part OF
Marguerite de Valois, queen of Henry OF
Navarro, King of France, in, herSviolet velvet ?
costume made over ayywhite embroidered
satin petticoat with ruffs sof point de yenise
lace. Her Medici cap was arranged with
pearl diadem of pear-shaped jewels, and she
wore her famous pearl necklace of pear
shaped pearls, four ropes of pearls, dog
collar, and bouquet de ccrsage of pearls
and diamonds.
The supper was served at midnight in the
dining room at small tables. | thought the
scheme of decoration in the ballroom was
the prettiest ever saw, but the dining room,
while very different, was lovely. Tiny little