Epithets which sound flowery and possibly a trifle exaggerated have been applied to the season's evening fashions, and they have been variously described as "breath-taking, "romantic," and "glamorous," and there is no doubt that there is much about them to which only unusual language can do justice. Portraits of the last two centuries—a period when formal dress showed women at their best and most worthy of picture-making—have inspired many of the present-day designers. It was a period when the art of feminine adornment was at its height, and now, as then, rich materials, sumptuous jewellery, and dramatic colours have been called on to express the trend of fashion.
From the pictures of Winterhalter, colours, but more closely associated Toulouse Lautrec, and Dana Gibson with the eighteenth century fabrics has been evolved the present-day are stripes of all widths. All the gown for gala occasions. It has a lovely combinations of colour made fitted bodice, small waistline, and famous by ihe Italian comedies are wide skirt, with flowing graceful lines io be seen in these designs, as well and a picturesque "old-world" look as those which to an eighteenth-which is infinitely becoming to women century designer would possibly apof all ages, The bodice may have pear inharmonious. Sugar-pink goes short puffed sleeves with an off-the-with brown, clear blues with wine, shoulder decolletage or (somewhat and cherry with apple-green, to make easier to wear) a squared neckline, dashing little dresses which need cut very low at the back, with broad practically no trimming. shoulder straps of sequins or dia-Lace and net starched and stiffened, er woven with fine metal threads Other bodices are cut and boned to make lovely picture frocks for young form a heart-shaped line over the girl They are hooped and frilled bust, where they fit closely and are and often trimmed with little bouto be worn without shoulder straps. quets of flowers or knots of ribbon, The widd skirts take yards of mat-recalling the romantic days when enol, and (ne width is exaggerated "favours" were asked and given. by the use of stiff fabrics, petticoats Fascinating Accessories of frilled taffetas, or crisp organdie, or even k of flexible whalebone.
With picture frocks go picturesque accessories 2nd trimmings. Rows of Silver and Gold coloured or striped gros grain, moire, The materials used for these rich-or velvet ribbons trim wide skirts and looking gowns are carefully chosen. edge little jackets end flared bas-There has been à return to favour of ques. Bows and loops of ribbon out-the stiffly woven fabrics of the eigh-line "off-the-shoulder" decolletages, teenth and nineteenth centuries. Gros and narrow velvet ribbons are tied grain and faille, in plain colours, are round neck and wrists. Little stiff shot with gold and copper threads, bows of velvet and tiny curled ostrich which give them a particularly rich feathers give additional height to a appearance. Moire is also effective, coiffure of high-piled curls. Flowers, ly marked watered effect. It is good the newest-kind having a very deep- too, are used to accentuate the mould-ie plain shades shot with metal, or rapped shoulder line. A ith a contrasting colour. Perhaps|spray of roses thrust through the further enhanced by a wi 7 the most effective of all is metal moire, which gives the effect of a sheet of silver, gold, or copper.
"Lustrous satins have taffetas backs, which give them a brilliant, shiny "surface, and velvets backed with taffetas can be effectively used for the mew styles—they are deep and rich im colour and texture and yet have the little extra stiffness which the belt in seemingly careless fashion. Tiny Victorian posies of daisies and forget-me-nots trim the flounces of widely flaring skirts, and are worn in high piled-up curls.
The natural. and indeed the only. fitting accompaniment to all this picturesque charm is the little evening cape in velvet or faille, equally attractive and useful in black as in all rich jewel shades. Many are edged with narrow fur and have fur-edged hoods to be drawn lightly over the head. 5 k complexion is soft and lovely because use Smart women everywhere are becoming daily users of the exquisite loti lions and make-up aids now being introduced by Daggett & Ramsdell. You will enthuse over these new, smartly packaged beauty creations in them that distinctive because you will find quality that has made Daggett & Ramsdell Creams the choice of beautiful women throughout the world.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.