The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-03
DRESS A ND SUGGESTIONS ANNE ,ai4s .sy... FOR WOMEN
Black silk aid, both wide and nar- row, gains in importance as trinl- ming for various kinds of frocks.

Now York. January 2.--Even Worth is using black silk braid as an accessory to serge, satin and velvet,
 In the average mind, the combina- tion of serge and braid is a good and familiar one. Soutache is an excellent substitute for embroidery and Hercu- les braid gives a finish to a sober sur face that is difficult to achieve through the application of any other kind of material.
 It is used almost exclusively In black, this braid, and the dressmakers have found that it combines well with .an amazing variety of other colors.
 The French have preferred beige, mastic and the color known as grege, which is no color at all, but the nat ural one of the fabric, as foundations for gowns that are to be touched up with black or midnight blue braid.
 There is also a mastic braid or chenille that Is used on black and dark blue, to give character and to enliven a commonplace surface. For instance, there are afternoon wraps of dark blue satin which have the entire top work ed out in a design of beige chenille cords. and the effect is startling and yet pleasing.
 There are dark blue serge gowns, and black satin ones, which havo Egyptian designs done in beige sou tache and there are hats of black vel vet whose crowns are trimmed with beige braid.
 There is no necessity for dress maker to go to the difficult task of making and carrying out a design in braid. We all know that this takes expert fingers and adds to the price of a gown. If it can be done at home, so much the better, for home talent is being developed on every side as an aid to both the individual and the public. If. however, the price of frock is & strong consideration, as 1t should be in these days. the design may be substituted by broad, flat bands that enliven the surface and do not take skilled workmen to apply.
 Throughout several generations there has been a desire on the part of the average woman to trim a blue serge frock or suit with black silk braid, and once upon a time it was considered very smart to outline the edges of black cloth suit with braid Then both these fashions dropped out of view and were thought to be ob- solete and here they are returning to high fashion with as much boldness and enthusiasm as though they had not been shelved for years.
 The sketch shows gown which was made by Worth for an individual, and not firm. It is of dark blue serge trimmed with very broad black silk braid, and it has two points of interest in the touch of Victorianism shown In the dropping shoulder bands and in the touch of the Elizabethan in the ex- traordinary collar. which only a French woman or an American actress would exploit. This collar is of white tulle starched to stand upward and outward and the edge ia cut into deep points and finished with bias band of the tulle. As the woman wears it, it acts like veil.
 It Is not possible to believe that many American women will adopt such a fashion. but It points the way to q high collar of tul1e which may be modification of this one.
 The high collar is the thing, you know. and as many women express dis may over it's discomfort, they may be willing to use transparent fabric that does not bind the neck or make one feel as though the hangmar's moose had slipped around it.