The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
Nv MARGARET WADE.

May days in Washington. despite the
war clouds elsewhere, are comparatively
cheerful days for the feminine portion
Of the social world. Not that the womer
Of the American Capital are Indifferent
TO the woes of their friends abroad. The
very generous aid given to the starving
multitude in Belgium and TO the hos.
pitfalls of France. of Russia, and of Serbia
disproveS that idea.
Washington is cheerful and happy
largely by reason of her ability to relieve
suffering. and for the part she is playing
in this unusual season which is holding
in Washington homes scores of promi-
nent and wealthy women who ordinarily
are hundreds OF miles away at this time
of the year.
While the post-Lenten season has al
ways been a period of social activity
and the occasion of much interesting en-
tertaining of an important but nonoffi-
cial character, the activity rarely lasts
until the last day of the spring, as is
likely in the present year.
The i'll wind that blows no good has its
illustration in the suspension of all
European travel and the promised in
our own American summer resorts. In
the meantime the round of dinners and
dances continue at the country clubs,
with not few informal entertainments
at town houses. To meet the changed
condition of a late spring in town there
has grown up a style of dress admira bly,
suited to the occasion.
The all-silk gown that is cool and
modish. always available and yet dis
tinctly of the present season. is shown
in a greet variety of styles and grow
lag daily in fashionable favor. Miss Julia
Meyer is wearing one of the smartest
froCks of this kind. a Premet creation
with a double skirt and long-waiste ed
bodice closed in the back The color is a
genuine French green and the edge q
each of the two skirts. one some ten in
hes shorter than the other is finished
in stiff little ruffle. that has the ap-
pearance of being wired. While closed
in the hack nv lacings of velvet a shade
darker than the silk the front of Miss
Meyers bodice is cut out nearly to the
waist line. showing an under bodice of
white net or lace The sleeves are long
and very close from wrist TO elbow with
4 slight fullnsss at the top
small hat of bronze ba inward straw
with boots of bronze with tops to match
the gown. are the important parts Of
this costume.
Miss Beatrice Clover Youngest daugh-
son Clover who was one of the most Sue
cessful OF the society flower vendors in
aid of the Diet Kitchen. wore on that
occasion when she stood for hours on
the corner OF Connecticut avenue and X
street. charming gown of blue silk
with a narrow stripe of white. The blue
was much the same shade as the much
discussed cornfower. the blossom selected
for the sale. and the model a real circu-
lar skirt and Jacket bodice 4 large black
hat with transparent brim made very
fascinating flower girl of this most popu-
ar OF the last winters debutantes
Another blue gown showing the color
If the cornfiower is one worn by Miss
Isabelle May. This is in great contrast
to Miss MEYERS or Miss Beatrice Clovers
As the foundation skirt is narrow as any
pf the tube skirts of past seasons. while
the overdress which is of white and
blue striped. is gathered at the waist but
allowed to fall in straight long lines The
top is a close fitting round bodice. but
JNer this Miss Nav is wearing one Of the
new short capes Of plain blue cloth
Mrs. William F. Hit. the former
Miss Katharine Elkins. is wearing the
new effect of short skirt and round
bodice in battleship gray. The foun-
tauon slip is of satin. the top of
ole. with surplice bodice finished
In rereres of the satin opening over
a narrow vestee of white. Mrs |
Hits skirt hangs like Miss Mays in |
lines. with the narrow sill |
houette. 1t is also several inches |
longer than many of the fashionable |
skirts Of the moment being quite to
the ankles A rough straw hat |
in white roses is usually |
worn with this.
Mrs. Chauncey NJ Depew. who. with
her husband. was one of the much en-
'ertained visitors OF last week, looked |
handsome as ever in a street suit Of /
black and white check. with the newest |
II military hats. Mrs. Depew's skirt |
vas made with hip yoke and had kilt |
,laited sides. with box plated front and |
back, and escaped the ground by at least |
ix inches. showing low cut French /
shoes of gray leather: real gray. neither |
'utty nor sand color. such as one sees
lay in the week. The coat was cut in
many sections. close hitting to the waist |
With a hare Of the skirt coming to the
lips.
The hat. although sold as a military
model. had a wide. much iared brim Of
lack erin. with the crown OF Belgian
'lue. Its only trimming was a heavy
ilk cord going about the base Of the
rown tied in two precise loops. with tas-
eled ends which rested on the brim At
he back.
A dinner gown worn by Mrs. Depev
ividual a. this handsome matron re-
uses even when buyin~ her rovvn. A., |