The Washington times., 1914-04-27
Brilliant, BefIoWered Tunics
Mark Seasons Fashion and
Permit Transformations of
Costumes.
Sashes of Roman Striped Silk
Much in Evidence-Summer
Vests With Tiny Pockets
Popular.
By FLORENCE E. YoDER.

Wish 1 had the nerve to buy a
Eirdle," sighed a woman in the depart
ment store today.
We all want the nerve, madam, else
we would have purchased sooner the
brilliant tunics and beruffed girdles
which make certain sections Of the
department stores look like cubist
Nightmares.
Besides the colors being unusually
brilliant, the ruff1es-oh, the rufflesi
The tailored woman will have hard
lime holding her own these days. She
cannot put a pleated, gathered en-
Enlistment on her severe appoint
ments. But we will all come to 1t.
Most of the tunics are OF silk, and
are to be worn right along with the
summer dresses, the fiowered costumes
will have a plain tunic and the plain
costumes a fiowered tunic.
The elastic belt in the tunic is a
much virtue. Even
he simpler models have the elastic
nelt which fits close to the figure and
ensures comfort.
The woman who can have only few
frocks will be much pleased, for the
simple addition of a different tunic in
..
10 match. will do much to transform
costume. Roman plaid, shaped In
manner to harmonize with the cut OF
.ast years coat, will transform a
Walking costume.
Made of Soft Taffsta.
For a cutaway coat the model could
he made Of soft taffeta in either
matching color of the suit or in plain
olack. which would go with any color.
The ruffles may be picot-edsed by ma
chinery or finished with cording. They
are narrowed into the belt at each end,
and as the belt is Tapped bit braid
ornament serves as fastening. Its
tasseled ends add a distinctive touch
in the way they are dropped. one over
and one from under the tunic ruffle.
Another model equally suitable for
the cutaway or other style suit or frock
having fits points in front and back would
become the short person. or MORE or
taffeta- II could be trimmed on the
points with buttons Of the same, or II it
should be worn with a frock, silk tas-
sells could be introduced on the waist,
either at the neck or on the sleeves
Sashes of Roman striped silk were
worn to a certain extent last year, but
are even more in evidence this season,
owing to the vogue for Roman striped
textures. of which costumes and suits
are made, in combination. of course,
With plain materials. So il is that now
are seen some of the most beautifully
"ombined colors in soft. neutral tones
livened bv Just a wee bright stripe, in
lovely silks both OF the plain and
rrepy textures.
Success of Tunic.
In many OF the stores. the summer
vcsts have already been received. They
re made like the loudly colored and
lowered silk winter vests, with tiny
pockets at the sides. but of materials
which may be dry cleaned, snd which
are more in harmony with the fluffy !
costume of crepe or voile. or the tailored |
SUIT and the thin lingerie waist.
In the silk evening gowns displayed
hy most of the exclusive establishments, !
he tunic is part Of the costume and ,
cannot be removed. But the clever
seamstress can rip off this pannier or
'unic and. using il as a pattern, substi |
ute for il decoration Of another COL |
~ and texture.
The success Of the tunic lies in this |
"ne point, its adaptability. for IL is A !
pirect appeal to the ingenuity of the |
Nearer