The Washington herald., 1914-05-03

weeks dinner parties In gown of white
satin and lowered chiffon made on smart
lines The trained skirt was of the satin.
the long and slightly draped overdress Of
the chiffon In a white sround. covered In
a loose. graceful fashion by coiored bios
SONS, shading from delicate mauve to
rich purple. A panel of heavy cream lace
marked the front of the satin skirt. over
which hung the chiffon, with the edges
of the latter finished In tiny balls of
amethyst-colored crystal. To carry out
the color scheme Mrs. Foraker wore
necklace and corsage ornaments 70 ame-
thysts set in dun gold nligree.
II any one material has just claim to
first place In the seasons modes IL Is
taffeta, for this particular silk as we
know il now suites everybody from de-
butante TO dowager, and lends itself to
the lines of the handsomest Of dinner
gowns or a practical travelling costume
with equal grace. There Is no color known
to the modern manufacture that has
not been reproduced In the taffeta OF
this season. In quality II Is almost as
elastic, as the best manufacturers have
at last found q method OF preventing the
tendency TO break In even the most ex-
pensiye weaves. 50 that taffeta can at
last be sold with a guarantee. valuable
alike TO the trade and to the peace Of
mind of the woman who wears this fav-
orits fabric.
Mrs. Charles ]. Faulkner. wife OF the
former Senator from West Virginia. who
made a short stay in Washington last
week en- route from Paris to Martins
burg, wore the taffeta afternoon gown
Of the irst named city. modified to the
needs Of a leading lady In any American
county town
This was one of the new pinks. a rose
pink somewhat akin to the new Mrs.
Charles Russell rose. which made its
debut In Washington as the decoration
of the wonderfully beautiful table at ex-
Senator Depews birthday party at Rau-
scher's last week. In these days of COM
petition even flowers must show new col
ors IL the florist wishes TO hold his trade.
So the Mrs. Charles Russell is the
rose Of the hour. and Mrs. Falkner's
taffeta visiting suit Is the same soft
deep color.
The skirts. for there are at least three
Of graduated length, all show an inclins-
tion to widen at the hem except as
regards the foundation. which remains
scant yard and a quarter. There are
two rounded tunic skirts above this,
both opening In front with a slight curved
edge. There are no gathers in these
tunics so the bouffount effect seen In
many of the new frocks is missing, all
to the advantage OF Mrs. Faulkner's
graceful figure. The smart little jacket
fully justifies its name as II Is dis
tinctly coat like, showing only a very
short line at the throat. The sleeves
are long and close from elbow to wrist.
another slight but very effective detail
making this q model costume. Topping
this Mr.. Faulkner wore a small black
erin hat with much manipulated brim,
and its only trimming a tall upstanding
ostrich feather that in former years
would have been a rich plume, but Is
now a fantasie burned to the fashionable
shape and delicy with acid applied to
one fue at a time. The skill in burning
out feathers is OF the same order en-
nice natural box hedges into distorted
birds and animals.
Mrs George Barnett. whose return TO
Washington as the wife Of the new COM
mandant Of marines has been the oc-
casion OF much entertaining. Is wearing
several smapt gowns in which yellow is
the predominatinE tone. At a dinner in
honor OF Col. and Mrs. Barnett on Mon
day evening the latter wore a trained
gown OF ionquil-colored satin. The top
OF the skirt was covered In the vermil-
ciIli shape. but Of satin luster. This de-
scribed a graceful motif all about the
skirt also covering the close fitting low
cut corsage. The corsage and skirt were
both overdraped in satin that came in
long lines from the shoulders to disap-
pear in the back OF the trained skirt
An all-white dress. showing an ef-
fective combination OF satin and point
de sprite, suited TO the youth OF the
wearer. and the season of the year. was
worn last Wednesday by Miss Louise
Robinson. of Pittsburgh. who is visit
ing Col. and Mrs. Thomas W. Symons.
This Is made dancing length with
pannier drapery and loosely draped
corsage.
Miss MarGaretta Symons wore on the |
same occasion a charming gown OF pale I
yellow silk with a deep fiounce Of white ,
lace on the skirt. This lace-hounced /
skirt for youthful figures is one Of the
happiest OF present-day fashions. and .
likely to remain in high favor at least
for the summer The top Of Miss
Symons' gown is entirely OF the yellow
silk. which is a soft, lusterless variety.
very rich and pliable. The decollatage,
which is square instead OF pointed. Is
finished in an inch-wide quilting OF the
silk with ''pinked" edges. AnotheS re-
vival. and one of the newest forms OF
dainty trimming.
Miss Rebekah Wilmer daug1rs-~ Of DR..
William II. Wilmer. who spent the :
greater part of last winter abroad with
her parents, has returned in time to en-
Joy the spring season with a fascinating
wardrobe of the latest mode. One Of
Miss Winners prettiest dance frocks,
worn last week, is cameo pink taffeta
The short overdress Is edged in a three
inch quilting Of the silk. while the round.