Year: 1873

We are so glad to be the frst-we think-to
Announce the new era of good taste and sim plic-
ity. The hideous and inartistic fashion of trim
ming the front of dress skirts after different
model from the back has had its day, and with
the last of early summer will flee away, never
more, we trust, to be seen on the gowns of SEN
sible and tasteful women. The very latest
modes from Paris-we speak by the card, for
we have seen them ourselves-show that dress
yes are 70 D. -~-A4=-szas=Ge=e44 444i-a.sli.iA----
and that the lines will be, as they ought :. be,
straight round the skirt. The vast entfagle-
ment of ruffles and puffs and plaitings and
founces, is gradually to resolve itself into SIM
Pile folds and bands and other fiat designs
We know every woman will be glad of this, be-
cause it will save her many weary hours over
something which, when finished, gives her but
a modicum of satisfaction. And we are even
surer that all men will rejoice, since in footing
the bills, which every one of them does for
some present or prospective she, there will be
about third less to pay for.


Femninely considered, the most stylish trim
ming on all heavy goods is fiat overlapping
folds, with fringe to edge them and on all
thin goods, not subjected to the wash tub bias
ruffles, rolled on the edge and placed with
spaces between. Very pretty polonaises of
pique and kindred stuffs ar, imply hemmed to
the width of two inches, an, have three rows
of machine stitching near tog Ner as finish.
The more elaborate ones are o. mented by a
single row of Hamburg work, W b is durable
and not very expensive. Whole suits of white
lawn are not so much used as formerly; the
cheaper way of wearing light over-dress and
waist, or polonaise, above dark skirt having
replaced them.


1t is always wiser and more tasteful to have
washable garments as plainly trimmed as pos
sible. Not one of US can be regardless fdamp
and dust, if our gown be so covered with ruff1es
and tucks that we know its "doing up'' will
cost us at laundry the price of the whole
dress or, if done in our own kitchen, a days
ill-temper from the handmade. And yet clothes
should pass so thoroughly from the mind ofthe
wearer, from the moment the toilette is COM
plete, that nothing but the instructive and un-
noticed care to preserve them from unseemly
contact should concern him or her until their
removal.


1t is quite remarkable that the Parisians have
to teach us not only taste, but neatness. No
imported street-dress trails on the ground.
French lady would scorn to sweep the sidewalk
with her gown, and could not be made to be-
lieve that lady of any nationality would do
aught so untidy. But with shame let us admit
that Americans, some of them genuine ladies,
do this disgusting thing.


Many of the French suits have no over
skirts but the skirt is trimmed nearly to the
belt in simple fashion, and the waist is
jaunty basque, generally having a simulated
vest. Others have plain long polonaise and
perfectly plain skirt, and yet others an apron
with long sashes behind.


All summer clothing should be simple be-
cause it should be abundant, and also because,
with our brief warm term, it should serve two
seasons and the simpler in form, the less likely
to appear out of date the second year.-Home
and Society: Scribner'S for July.