The Washington herald., 1913-11-16
IN
FEMININE APPAREL

cluded in the fashionable women's
wardrobe that supplies a more
varied need than the one designed for
afternoon occasions When the purse
allows. it is, to De sure, apt to be ex-
tremely elaborate but it is quite possible
for the clever woman to arrange costumes
Of the kind that are smart and handsome,
sufficiently dressy for the FIVE O'Clock
visit or for any occasion that may arise
before the dinner hour but simple enough
to allow Of the trip to the dressmaker's
ifneed be. or for any one Of the demands
that may be made upon the time between
luncheon and three O'Clock. We are a
rushing. busy people. We work hard
over our pleasures as well as over our
duties and often the fashionable woman's
day is filed to the point of being crowded.
The costume that viii perform many
duties is surely valuable one and this
season materials and styles seem to COM
bine to bring such about, Velvet wool
velours. peau de psche and peau de souris
are unquestioned favorites for the making
of such costumes and fur might fairly
be said to be the essential trimming. for
no handsome costume seems to be COM
plete without some touch at least. Hap
PLY. it often is only a touch. however
and. for with the demand that has
come for increased quantity, every skin
is used. Today it is not the quality Of
fur but the effect and. If rabbit can Be
dyed to suit the costume. it serves quite
as well as the costly ermine. IF we can
ind harmonizing colors and can dye to
produce what we want. we are content
We buy fur as we do clpth today. not
with an eye to permanence or value, but
TO achieve the result demanded at the
time, As has been stated in previous
letters, the -chipmunk is extensively
used for trimming. leopard's skin is
employed in the same way squirrel is
dyed to resemble closely chinchilla, rabbit
Is made to produce such wonderful effects
that its origin could never be guessed
the cheaper foxes are dyed to any shade
that may be required and among the
latest arrivals must be mentioned the
fitch. 1t is wonderfully beautiful, soft
long haired skin but until recently un-
known to the world of fashion. II !,
found in Russia, it is found in Germanv
II is found in Canada. In its natural
state it is sometimes a light yellowish
tone with occasional dark lines that form
irregular stripes and sometimes dark
brown, almost black. with a few light
hairs- Both sorts are being much used
Tor scarfs and muffs and also for trim
ming and it seems almost needless to
add that the skin also is dyed to a deep
brown color that closely resembles the
skunk and also to the variety of shade,
demanded by present caprice. In COM
mon with the civet cat, natural onoss,,u
and other skins of the sort, If has been
known to trappers and to furriers from
time immemorial. 1t has been used for
the Innings for drivers coats and for
various plebian purposes of the kind
Suddenly it was pushed into favor and
1t is now regarded as smart in the ex.
treme while its beauty is not to be
questioned In price, it averages approx
mately twenty-five per cent less than
skunk is today; but skunk from being
an every day fur has grown into being
one Of the costly sorts ard fitch seem,
likely to follow in its wake.