Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26


- ELDOM have evening dresses been
more varied or more charming
than they are this Autumn, and
~ seldom has it been more perpleX-
ing to make up ones mind when
It comes to choosing an evening gown
for some particular occasion. For
beautiful as are the dresses designed
for dining, dancing and formal evening
wear, 1t is apparent to the thoughtful
observer that fashions at present are in
Q transitional stage.
The woman who wants to select an
evening dress that will do for many
months. that will possibly be in good
style next season, is confronted with
many questions. The long or very long
skirt Is correct for formal occasions
are also sponsoring an ankle-length
evening dress that is actually newer
than the very long skirt-and that is
moreover more becoming to certain
women.
Some of the French dressmakers have
been enthusiastically sponsoring the
raised waistline, placed an inch or
more above normal" but no one of
course knows whether this empire
waistline will survive in the race for
favor with the defined lower waiStline.
THERE is strong tendency toward
dresses inspired by the romantic
costume periods Of the past-dresses
of the picturesque sort that please US
in much the same way that furniture
of a distinct period pleases US. On
the other hand there is a reaction in
favor of the more sophisticated type
of evening dress that holds itself aloof
from past fashions and prefers to be
strictly modern.
Dresses of the former sort are made
interesting by ruffies a1ld f1ounces, frills
and bow knots arranged usually In .
symmetrical manner, while dresses Of
the latter sort have fullness arranged
by drapery and manipulation Of o less
symmetrical sort.
The very slender woman is wise In
choosing an evening dress with the
decolletage arranged in cowl fashion,
the drapery giving fullness across the
bust. Then there are new evening
dresses with ruffles extending across the
bust and under the arms that also give
width and fullness to the slender
woman.
COME of the new dresses are held
at the shoulders with the narrow
est of shoulder straps, a mere cord
that leaves the line of the shoulders
and arms substantially unbroken.
Sometimes there is a narrow shoulder
strap with a large bow of the material
posed at the left strap. one looped side
of the bow extending upward and the
other downward.
The wide 1880 decolletage Is found
on some Of the new evening dresses,
sometimes with a bertha extending
across the front of the bodice forming
short caps over the shoulders and
usually extended in the back to follow
the lines of a very low.cut bodice. The
effect is onN of Victorian occurrences
at the front and of twentieth century
sophistication at the back.
With the all-white dress you may
wear a belt Of twisted velvet of bright
green, American beauty red or one of
the brighter pastel blues. Augusta
bernard set the fashion FOR q twisted
girdle of this sort accompanied by a
scarf made Of the same velvet. A sim
pie white dress worn with bright green
girdle and scarf Is especially attractive.
The large bow placed at the f-nnt OF
the left shoulder strap Is decidedly
n cOkLtCW4Aat oAA40A4CA 0OWAAAOb
may be placed at the front Of both
shoulder straps.
Colored gardenias may be placed at
the front of the left shoulder strap.
Pink gardenias so placed give an &C
ceptable touch of color to the all-black
dress.
CHIFFON, satin and velvet are the
leading materials for evening
dresses this Autumn. Georgette, lace
and supple metal fabrics are also I'M
portant. Stiff Lyon velvet Is close
rival to the supple chiffon velvet.
Very fine black lace Is appropriate
for the younger woman as well as for
the older woman, and Is sometimes
worn over a slip of fesh-colored satin
&epe.
AI-black evening gowns are as much
m favor as ever. The all-white dress
as a foil for colored jewelry is gaining
favor Then there are the jewel tones
ruby red, deep sapphire blue and
emerald-and the soft, rather dull pas
tel tones Soft shades of pink continue
to find favor with younger women and
deeper shades of rose, ranging from the
lightest pink to a deep American
beauty.
Ccopyright, le3o)