Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-09
STYLES OF THE SECOND EMPIRE
nv ANNE RITTENHoUsE.

We think of Eugene as the epitome
of all that femininity accumulated by
the two countries she represented
Spain and France. History repeats the
gossip that she had a shrewd and cal
culating mind. that she was a clever
politician. an influence on those men
who ruled the empire. and this is said
with an air of somewhat disputing
that accumulated femininity which was
her fame.
Men must have put forth these
thoughts. No woman would see in
the two statements any divergence
1t is the old. the traditional, the
surerfeminine combination.
She who wears tailored garments
and apes masculine manners and
habits is often. or, SO often. weak
ling, one governed by emotionalism
and fears lacking in every detail OF
her brain work the scheming. the
ambitions. the possibility of power
that is nearly always the hidden
source of a woman of ultra-feml-
ninity.
She is so clever that she perceives
that in this guise she can gain her
power over men more than by argu-
ment or affectation of strength. And
men-they never. never learn that
often conceal a victorious and su-
perior brain. If they only knew what
every woman Knows
But what has this to do with fash
ior, the approaching spring and the
desire for lace frocks and many roses?
1t has this to do with it. The lace
gown. plentiful roses and the rose
colored tulle scarf or sash are COM
ing into prominence at this hour. AS
for the feminine woman. she remains
in fashion and power throughout the
centuries.
Lace shuttles through the eras like
taffeta and satin, although it is not
in such constant demand as the two
other fabrics. This season there is a
wide call for it-possibly because
colored flowers and ribbons are to be
fashioned as accessories one must
have a light and plain colored back
ground for these trifles. as house
furniture are varied in colorfng.
Black chantilly lace has been used
frequently by the dressmakers on
black velvet and satin gowns for the
winter, but white and cream lace has
fallen into disuse during the war
epoch. Now it returns to fashion. 1t
may not be widely accepted. Women
say they like 1t. thei1.spasS it by. as
a rule. They do not quite see it's pos
sibilities.
In the frock shown in the sketch
there is an artistic attempt to make
the lace serve as a background for
Eugene trifles, the kind of things she
liked to wear; there is a striking sash
of rose colored tulle which is further
enlivened by scattering pink roses
over it in the back. All the i'm
portance is given to the back of this
gown. as its from remains simple
and girlish.
The tulle scarf is rather admirably
arranged across the normal waistline
to avoid bulkiness. The large roses
hold it down against the figure. FORM
ing a belt. From each end the tulle
loops itself into Notwithstanding
Such a frock covers much ground.
In genial climates it can be worn in
the afternoon, as it Is high at the
back of the neck. In cities where
one has continuous calls for an in
formal frock that will fit into a
dinner. an evening at the
play, with or without a large pic
ture hat, this especial type Of gown
is in strong demand.
1t has the appearance of ushering
in the spring. 1t is gay, ultra-fem-
mime, and it need not be confined
to the possessor Of blue eyes; there
are soft brown ones that also know
the old, old game.