Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-11

boutfancy of costumes at all
the openings, these days, one
~ remembers whimsically. the
burning question which absorbed the
mind of woman through seasons and
seasons, but recently: Are skirts 60
Ing to be wider?" All things come to
her who waits, and now the individual
who pinned for petticoats. may revel
in them to hearts content. Skirts
are certainly wider and it is likely
that they will grow wider, and still
wider; for the passion for billowiness
has consumed the style-makers and
every new frock put forth seems to
acquire few more yards Of fabric.
The next query, und oubtedly will be:
Are skirts going to be longer? But
that contingency need not be antici-
pated while skirts are still wide; for
width and length do not harmonize,
according to artistic standards-where
costume Is concerned. There is an
ungraceful clumsiness about the gath
cred skirt that covers the feet 1t
suggests the amplitude of middle age,
and only the wide skirt that is saucily
short can look young. Since the first
desire of woman is to look young-a
desire even more potent than the crav-
Ing to look beautiful-any form Of
costume that Is likely to add to her
years will be avoided with zeal.
That woman's silhouette has changed
absolutely In the last year is a fact
not to be denied. Not only have skirts
changed, but everything has changed
and the shadow femininity casts is
reversed. Not long ago It was the
shadow OF peg tapering toward the
lowest point; now It is n peg UPSIDE
down, revolving on its head instead of
It's UP. All lines fow outward from
mead to feet whereas only few sea-
sons ago they taperod downward.
In order to give full emphasis to the
new silhouette fashion has concen-
trated upon the skirt. 1t is looped
puned. rippled, gathered, pleated
nounced, adorned with boWknots and
Mower festoons and loaded to the last
SAFETY point OF Its carrying efficiency
with trimming: the bodice Is almost
neglected. 1t matters little what sort
OF bodice one has (provided the sleeves
arc long) X ones skirt is Voluminous
enough to be impressive and individual
enough to strike new note Of modish-
moss. Frocks with skirts of over
powertng elaboration show little sur
plice bodices of the simplest tyne
Just two bits Of fabric crossed over
tho bust, a tucker or a chemisette fill
ing In the V In front, and close sleeves
to the wrist. This apparent neglect of
the bodice Is feature of smartness
In this years fashions; coral velvet
dance frock just out Of the hands of
Beer. has skirt measuring six yards
around the ankle with plentiful gath
ers at the waist and two over hanging
tabliers edged with gold lace. The
bodice Is as simple as camisole---
simpler. for 1t is minus even lace trim
ming. Two strips OF the brilliant coral
velvet arc crossed at front and back
In surplice effect The edge of the
velvet makes a deep V decolletage at
front and at back, and the outer edges
Of the strips fall Just over the should
or. leaving the arm quite bare. These
untrimmed strips OF velvet are faced
with coral colored satin and when the
arm Is raised one notes that there Is
an under-bodice faced up to the arm
pit with velvet. A golden roso Is
tucked At the girdle.