The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-26
LATEST FASHIONS
AT THE CAPITAL
BY WADE.

Those favored persons who really
know Washington society "as is as
the auction catalogues say, and those
who think they know it, have always
shown a wide difference Of opinion as
to the relative value OF the various
and numerous circles which go to make
up the interesting whole.
This difference is quite as pro-
nounced in residential circles as among
officials, and Is likely to be increased
IN the next few months with the COM
ing OF a new congress and the I'M
usual conditions of an active legisla-
tive program with a closed White
House, at least for some weeks longer.
On one point, however, there seems
70 be a unanimous opinion, which is
that Washington women. young or old,
official or nonofficial, show a splendid
independence IN dress.
SO obvious is this feminine trait that
1t deserves a recognized place in the
capitals social history, and if followed
in other localities would put an end
to the quite Irrelevant discussion OF
woman's clubs as to how the club mem
bers, their sisters, their cousins, their
n~elghbors and their maid servants
should dress.
That certain very important social
leaders wear their skirts to the ankle,
have their chiffon sleeves lined with
net, take theic constitutional in severe
" tailored suits, reserve their bead
embroidered gowns and ostrich plumes
for ceremonious occasions. is no reason
why the less discriminating should not
wear their best and gayest frocks and
frills to a noon breakfast or morning
session Of congress if 50 inclined.
That is the beauty Of life in Wash
ington.
On a pinpln aftarnoon oooosto, ~
fashionable club the style of dress
ranged from lowered muslin of real
garden party effect to the most pro-
nounced of sports skirts and golf jack
ct, which is a sweater by another
name.
Tho favorite dress on these outdoor
occasions is, however, a tailored suit,
which may be cloth, silk or cotton. ac-
cording to the taste and purse of the
wearer, and also according to the
weather, the latter being a very I'M
certain factor in Washington.
The same unwritten rule appears TO
hold at the capital, Mrs. Marshall, who
Is a frequent visitor to the senate gal
lery, Is wearing one Of the well-cut
coat suits for which she is noted. or
on q warm day a dark-toned fgulard
In a smartly draped but not elaborate
model. The latter Is worn with q be-
coming broad brimmed black hat, the
former with a toque matching the suit
in color.
Mrs. Stephen b. Elkins, when on
Monday she had the pleasure of seeing
her Oldest son sworn in for the second
time as a senator from West Virginia,
wore a black coat suit with collar and
cuffs of white satin, the edges of both
being scalloped and button-edged quite
like the old fashioned muslin collars OF
our grandmothers' time.
Mrs, Elkins naturally was the sub
| iect of many congratulations, as the
new senator, Hon. Davis Elkins, Is
succeeding not only his father, but his
maternal grandfather, as a senator from
West Virginia.
Mrs, Frances L. Warren. wife OF the
senator from Wyoming. is one of those
wise women who never sacrifice the
becoming to an arbitrary decree OF
Dame Fashion, and consequently looks
youthful and handsome as she topped
her white sports skirt and pink sweater
with a broad brimmed Milan, encircled
by a very rich plume Of duh crimson,
which emphasized in a remarkable de-
gree Mrs, Warren's pure blond beauty
even In the sunshine Of a bright after
noon,
Mrs. stephen Rowan and Mrs. Gill