The Washington herald., 1921-03-27

sleeves. Percbed in the lace trimming
around the neck are wired gold butterflies.
Mrs. Mckinley. who succeeded MIS-
Cleveland. is shown wearing her inaugural
gown. 1t looks very much like q wedding
gown. being entirely of white satin with
sweeping train, yards long. The waist Is
high in the neck, and the mousquetsire
sleeves reach to the wrists, over which fall
rufhes of Alencon lace. The front breadth
of the skirt is also bordered with this eI-
quisite lace, and is embroidered in seed
pearls and brillisnts. In spite of the fact
that Mrs. Mckinley was an invalid and
received most of her guests seated, she was
very fond Of trains to her gowns, which
were especially noted for their handsome lace
trimming.
The inaugural gown Of Mrs. Roosevelt
is one of the bright spots in the exhibit
1t is of that delightful shade called Alice
blue" manned for Alice Roosevelt). and is
brocaded in motifs of silver. Made along
simple lines. the gown swings gracefully
into a denitrsin. The bodice is close fitting
and short, cut low, with sleeves and front
Of tulle.
In the same case with Mrs. Roosevelt
stands the figure of Ms. Taft, wearing
her inaugural gown. This is no doubt
the handsomest gown in the exhibit, and
was hand embroidered in the Philippine
islands, Of which Mr. Taft was rovernor.
II is 4 marvellous creation Of white chiffon,
embroidered in silk floss, rhinestones and
crystal beads. A vine pattern runs down
the front panels Of the skirt and the full
length Of the train. The gown is made in
one piece, the short bodice being
decorated across the bust with handsome
pearl and crystal banding. In her hand
Mrs. Taft holds an American Beauty rose,
which was her favorite flower and con-
stantly worn by her.
Which brings the costumes up to the end
of the double aisle and starts a new and
separate aisle. where stands alone the c.,
containing the gown recently sent hy Mrs.
Edith Boiling Wilson, the present mistrcs,
OF the White House. This last gown is \,
far the most stunning Of all. II w,,
worn by Mrs. Wilson at the Pan -Amer,c,n
reception at the White House, shortly sft,,
abe entered it as . bride.
1t is OF black panne velvet, lined r;ts
electric blue silk elsborstely trimmed y;t.
Jet and deep bands Of iridescent n,ss.-.,,-
terle- Like the gown Of Mrs. Taft II 4, /.
princess gown and follows the clinrin, In.
OF the present vogue. The bodice is decnTl.,.
with nan-inch bands Of Jet crossed q, ths
shoulders. Tulie sleeves, weighted With "a
Asses, swing gracefully from the arms.
Inc oAct OF the gown Is especially styili,,
a row OF jet buttons extends dow, th.
mode OF The back to the end Of the Lon,
scant train. On either side Of these but,,r,
Is su inch band Of jet psssementerie th,t
seems to have caught and held every I;,h, ,.
the White House chandeliers. 30 br;I6,n,
is its rejection. Ropes Of let beads h,,,
in loops from the corsase and. srr,nrod :,
Eton effect, relieve its severe lines. WIFI
this gown, Mrs. Wilson wears , rh,,t., a
orchids, without which she ia r,r,Iy -,
In summing up this display of America.
fashions, one is bound to concede that the
outstanding characteristics Of the representa- :
1--WE TYPE Of American woman ia modesty.
In the oaden times, no lady appeared in
evening dress without q Esuzy scarf for her
shoulders. No matter how shapely they wer,
she covered or veiled her shoulders. And
in those days, we have Il on pcsitiv,
authority, the only things that had Iexs
were pianos, that is, % Ear a. they were
shown. For milady's dresses swept the
6oor and one only saw her little mice Of
feet peepins in and out"
Let us hope that the reversion Of the pres
ent day may be but. temporary fad, and
that the period costumes in the centuries 10
come may continue to reflect that perman-
entity outstanding Characteristic of ths
American voman-modesty In dres a,i
ideals.