The Washington herald., 1915-04-25
FASHIONS AT THE CAPITAL.
The Well-Dressed Woman of Smart Society, What She
Wears-The Time and Place.
By MARGARET WADE.

By MARGARET WADE.
Now that America is generally recog-
nized as the one great market and parade
ground for the fashions of the world,
the famous couterriers of Paris. from
Worth, who has dressed Queens of many
lands. to Mime. Louvin, who has chosen
debutantes and brides as the objects Of
her best efforts, are again at work with
all the versatility and shrewdness that
makes the Place Vendome the center Of
the world for students of woman's ap-
parel from ball gowns to shoe buckles.
So long as the war lasts the true Paris
ienne will dress simply and give little
thought to new costumes. Her example
will be followed in London, in Petro-
grad. in Rome. and in the quaint. cola
capitals of Northern Europe, in Madrid
and in Lisbon. In most of these cities
Paris has not only supplied the gowns
OF all who go to court, but makes the
same with such strict regard to court
etiquette that the wife or daughter of
diplomat. even from big republic
like the United States must wear a
train many inches on the floor. for
such occasion. and decolletage cut
just so low, or SO high, on another oc-
casion. While each court has regula
tons of its own. there remains a SINH
larity in form, from Christiana to Ath-
ems sufficiently powerful to affect the
which gain their dividends from supply
ing the luxuries of apparel to the smart
world.
Hence to America are sent the lat
est products of Paris workrooms.
Shops that were closed tight last Sep
TENDER opened with all their old-time
glory in February to supply the trade
this side of the Atlantic. While
few Americans attended the spring
openings of the Rue de la Paix, the
great importers and modistes catering
to smart and exclusive clientel were
so well represented that we have now
in the -high-class showrooms of New
York, Boston. Philadelphia, and Wash
ington more Paris gowns than in any
spring season in all our commercial |
and social history. We have no CEN
sor of dress in America. although to
the unnitiated there are canons of
good taste observed faithfully as any
written law. youthful but shrewd
observer remarked during the past
winter of the present administration |
that the Wilson's never seemed to
consider themselves dressed without a |
train" which was one of the greatest |
compliments ever paid the good taste |
of the Presidents daughters They al |
ways wear trains for formal dinners |
and receptions as BETTING the occa-
sion, yet in taking their daily walks,
in travelling, and in going about the
everyday duties of life Miss Margaret
Wilson and her sisters dress with the
simplicity of well-bred young women
in any walk of life
Nine de Cespedes wife of the Minister
from Cuba. who recently made her first
appearance in the dinner going colony
of the Capital, at Mrs. John B. Hender-
sons, is one of the diplomatic matrons
who believes in buying her gowns in
art,s
months ago has dinner gown of white
satin and silver that is one of the ex-
elusive Beer models recently brought to
America. Nine. de Cespedes Will prob
ably pass the summer at Newport, conse-
quently is providing herself with a very
elaborate wardrobe. The particular din
ner dress of white satin, in which she
has been much admired, is made as
are most gowns for women of the diplo-
matte circle with the long. graceful train.
In this case the train is very narrow,
square a the end, which is covered for
a distance of ten inches in small, pearl
beads The overdress is of Lierre lace,
hung from the shoulders to form a point
ed front falling almost to the ankles.
This overdress. which is finished with
its own well worked edge, is further
embellished by bands Of white velvet rib
bon. carrying out the same pointed motif.
Each of these velvet bands is decorated
q
top of the gown. which is sleeveless is {
heavily encrusted in pearl and silver I
beads, in extremely graceful lines The !
white velvet ribbon bands the front I
become a sash in the hack. finished in c
tassels of crystal and silver.
The christening of Hugo Osterhaus. in i
FAINT son of Commander and Mrs. Hugo r
Wilson Osterhaus. at st. Josephs Church v
and subsequent reception at the home /.
OF Rear Admiral and Mrs. Hugo Os- i
ferhaus. grandparents of the latest
addition to a family of famous fight
ing men. also served to establish in f
the first rank of fashion the semi v
tailored suit for afternoon receptions i
with the entire range of blues as the s
prevailing color. The young mother, a
formerly Miss Helen Downing, looked i
charming and fair ever in a two \
piece suit of the shade coming to be v
known as Molly Pitcher This was Il
distinctly costume the skirt and IL
coat being matched in color by the
newest model of chiffon blouse while
the sailor-shaped hat had it's crown a
encircled in ostrich plumage of the n
same tone. Miss Elsie Downing, who n
assumed the responsibility of god d
mother, also wore a blue semitailored 81
suit. as did Mrs. John H. Gibbons, wife il
of the former naval attache at the 81
Embassy in London and one Il
of the best-gowned women in Wash b.
inston- Mrs. Augustus Downing and is
Mrs. Osterhaus were models of ele- Il
Eance. the first in dark blue the Il
second in black and white. Both cos Ia
tunes were of faille on new smart
lines. with which were worn straw,
fower-trimmed toques. fl
Not only is the object of this I'M sc
usual reception the fourth of his h,
name. but all three distinguished pred b,
ecessors are living to rejoice in his bl
advent into the world, his great. in
being Gen. Hugo OsterA pi
haus, retired. a former staff officer Of ell
the German army. living on his es- til
tate in his native land. pl
lfh
The annual show of the WASHINGTON sh
Kennel Club, just passed. and the m
Horse Show to come. not to mention the WI
congress of the Daughters of the Ameri- of
ran Revolution, which made the past w
week the busiest of the spring season, m
all serve to establish a fixed standard Of cls
dress. for the wise woman who can read or
between the models. : sb
Washington's best dressed women and To-
SIX
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