The Washington herald., 1914-02-01
Fashions at the Capital
The Well Dressed Woman OF Smart Society What She Wears;
q The Time and Place
MARGARE wAD 80 +

The most extravagant prophecies oi
the early winter regarding the dress ri
the smart feminine world have been full.
flled in the National Capital, as well as
I'm every other city of the country. Wash
ington, despite its claim 10 Southern
conservatism and the influences Of the
new administration, distinctly opposed to
extravaganza in every form, Is indulging
in the present day craze for new and
rich colorings only found in the most ex-
pensive velvets and satins, the modern
but high priced laces, unusual combina-
tons in furs, and the unprecedented de-
mand for beads cut like jewels. and
jewels worn with the prodigality of
beads.
Although there have been no private
balls, and the state receptions of the
White House show a distinct falling of In
diamond tiaras and ropes OF pearls, the
succession of dinner parties. the small
dances. and the Monday evening recep-
tions OF the Vice President and Mrs.
Marshall are occasions on which Wash
ington leaders and their guests appear
In the richest, as well as newest, fashions
Naturally Washington regards those
matrons in the diplomatic circle making
an annual visit to Paris as the natural
leaders in dress. 1t is consequently
most gratifying to remark that several
OF these prominent and much-favored
ladies are Americans who wear their
gowns and Jewels with a grace and dig
nifty in which their American birth and
girlhood, their foreign education and
worldly experience all have due value.
The handsome hostess at the reception
on Tuesday evening, when all nations
Joined in celebrating the Kaiser,s BIRTH
day at the German Embassy, in her
gown Of gold brocade with necklace and
tiara in pearls and diamonds was as
always one OF the conspicuousiy we'll
Eowned women of the diplomatic corps,
whether at home or abroad.
Another American-born ambassadoress
who has an extensive and well-chosen
wardrobe which makes her one of the
best-govned women of America. is Nine.
de Cana, wife OF the Brazilian Ambas-
sador. Nine. de Cana, in spite of her
enviable position and large private for
tune, retains much of the simplicity of
her wholesome girihood in everyday
matters, but when she goes to buy her
clothes each season she buys the best
the curriers' OF the world have to offer
and never makes a mistake in suiting
each gown. wrap, or hat to her own in
divfdual style and the occasion for which
IL is intended.
A superb creation worn by Nine. de
Cana is probably the very best example
in Washington. IL not in America. OF the
head-incrusted gown as developed in
Paris this season. II is a Beer model and
all white. That it more than holds its
cwn in company with the high coloring
and dazzling iridescence OF the smart
companies in which 1t appears is due to
the massing Of the millions of highly
polished beads in crystals, and silver with
milk white tones. The foundation Of all
the bead work is presumably ivory white
chiffon, or the softest of satin, as the
entire gown hangs in close lines from
LecOlletage TO hem. The weight of the
Leads. which are small and tube-like and
applied in close, slightly curved lines.
draws the skirt well in about the ankles.
while the modish width about the upper
Part Of the skirt is produced by three
flounces tiIat open from the waist line
and form a sharp pointed effect.
Two of these fiounces are of lace, the
middle one of beads, the latter ending
in an inch deep silver fringe. A panel
effect in beads down the frcnt of the
skirt is in harmony with the train that
is solid in beads from belt to hem. The
top of the gown is white tulIe incrusted
I'm the same glistening line of silver and
crystal. with n large motif directly in
front. In this the pure milk white beads
predominate and vary in size from the
tiny cube. so small that only the finest
needle can place it on the net foundation
TO square and oval particles to an eighth
OF an inch.
second motif and jewel of the milk
or chalk color beads Is placed in the
back of the corsage from which fall
long strands of silver fringe. With this
Mime. de Cana, who came on to the
Vice Presidents reception from her own
dinner party, wore a necklace of pearls
with the large pure white diamond as
its pendant.
While Beer. of Paris. claims chief
credit for the beaded gown as We know
1t in its present extravagant form. he
has by no means a monopoly of this
Establishment. Several Worth gowns are
showing the same elaborate treatment
In all the new crystal and duo crystal
trimming.
From the Msison Worth. however, |
trimming is always trimming, however |
it may envelop the figure, while the |
real beauty of the gown is to be found |
in the severity of line that this par
ticuler artist in clothes holds as a secret |
all his own. The royal blue velvet gown !
worn by Mime. de Cana on Tuesday |
evening showed itself a masterpiece of \
the Worth school, with its close-fitting |
tunic OF blue and crystal beads made |
to follow what old-fashioned patrons Of |
this make love to call princess lines
The celebration OF Emperor Williams |
ffty-iifth birthday brought to the Ger
man Embassy on Friday quite the best |
gowned company of the winter. Every |
woman present wore her smartest and |
newest gown and handsomest Jewels, |
while the majority Of the diplomats en-
beIlished their ordinary evening dress |
with jeweled orders and gorgeously |
colored ribbons, giving a picturesque !
touch to a company that was limited to
800 guests.
There were several notable reminders |
of the past administration in this par
ticular company which included not only |
the present Secretary of State and Mrs. |
BRYAN, but several members of former
Cabinets.
Mrs. Meyer. wife OF the former Secre-
tary of the Navy, for seven years one
of washington's leading hostesses. looked
handsome and modish as ever in a superb |
gown of black satin with the overdress
of beads, the latter in dark, rich color
ing combined with jet. Mrs Meyer. whose
slender and graceful figure makes her
Dne OF the handsomest women in any