Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1893 — STYLES FOR THE SICK. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STYLES FOR THE SICK.

GOWNS THAT ARE PECULIARLY BECOMING. Colors that Harmonize with the Delicate Complexions of Invalids Soft-Colored Sacques and Short-Walsted Dresses Are the Thing. Worn b; Weak Women. New York correspondence.

O doubt it seems f a good deal to ex- [\ I peot that the in- . I \ valid in a house \ shall help the well w ones to enjoy life ') and the sunshine 'A of health, but it is what many a beds ridden woman has done, and in doing it the invalid often finds her best \ release from pain. A There is a certain \\ beauty that often l\ belongs to the one V\ who is denied 1\ strength. Delicacy of complexion, a softness of i! Tl\ skin, and a genA'JiiK tleness of expression often render -- such a face really lovely. The us-

ual invalid is slender, too, and has about her a suggestion of frailty that adds to the picture she may so easily make. But too many fancy that “dress” is not for them and that anything will do. lam not going to say a word about how much real use an invalid may be in a house, but I will talk dress to her a little. For those who may not leave the bed there are such dainty soft-colored sacques, made short so that they will easily tuck down in the back. They have big sleeves and plenty of soft lace about the wrists and falling over the poor thin hands, which so relieved only look white and delicate and the envy of many a well visitor. The neck should fasten snugly and at the side rather than in front, thus giving a younger and fuller look to the face, and softening the worn lines of the throat. The jacket may be made of rose-colored China silk and must be absolutely crisp and fresh-looking. Wrists and throat can tie closely by ribbons run through the lace. Of course, the hair is carefully brush-

ed; better cut it to a pretty childish length; it will be more becoming so, and easily cared for, and if it does not curl it must be put up every night, or curled with the irons often enough to keep it looking pretty. The locks about the front and sides should be trimmed so they will keep out of the eyes, and those in the back, perhaps, left a little longer and held loosely in place by a knot of fresh ribbon. You will hardly believe how much better you will feel all dressed up, with a flower tucked in the button of the jacket and your hair prettily in curl. Indeed, even the invalid, too weak and iil to sit up in bed, will feel better for having her nightgown pretty close about the throat and wrists, and a fresh flower tucked into a buttonhole' Try it and see. The Bufferer who will never be any better and whose only change is from bed to couch may look so sweet and pretty when she is up and on the couch. Her nightgown is soft, fine stuff, and white as only fine wash goods can be. It has a double ruffle of lace all down the front. Oh the couch, before she is laid upon it, there is spread a silk garment, made very wide between the shoulders, and full at the neck, with great sleeves. With plenty of length to spare and a ruffle all down the opening, it is all so loose that the invalid oan tuck her arms into the sleeves and draw the fullness about her when she is laid down. How “dressed up” she will feel and how fresh and sweet she will look. Of course, soft eider down stuff may be used instead of silk, or even a rich, warm brocade. The beauty of the invalid should be always consulted. Rich scarlets Sometimes make a brunette seem to have almost a touch of color in the pale face. Blue, the soft baby blue, must be used carefully, because it is apt to emphasize pallor. For the invalid not quite so helpless it will be a great comfort to get out of those gowns into something that seems trim. Gowns made to fit in the

back and over the hips, and with just the front loose, are protty. Let them be of crisp fine wash goods whenever possible. She is so tired of soft things! Another pretty style fits close to the natural lines of the figure. Not close enough, of course, to bind anywhere, but at least without folds. A very wide ruffle passes over the shoulders and down each side, not to a point at the waist line, but narrowing a little. The space between is lined with ribbon set to imitate a pointed yoke. This gives narrowness to the figure, and the width of the ruffles on either side of the yoke really conceals the width of the waist

Gowns made very short-waisted are pretty, too. Let the tiny bodice be made surplice-like, of two kerchief pieces crossing on the breast, and disappearing under the belt or sash that comes close up under the arms. From here the skirt falls full and long. The sleeves are made with very large puffs that narrow to about the elbow. From under the puffs comes a full sleeve of not too fine white stuff, that gathers in with a ruffle at the wrist A dainty chemisette to match these under-sleeves shows where the kerchief pieces of the bodice leave a space at the neck. This is a most becoming dress for an invalid who is worn and whose hair is soft and loose. It may be made of cassimere, of a crisp old-fashioned taffeta silk, or of pink peroale. A warm, rosy pink is almost always beooming. Remember the skirts should be of generous length, trailing a little in the back, and of full length in front, so that when seated or

lying down the feet may be prettily covered. For (he invalid who is bed or couch ridden through inability to walk, and who is yet “quite well," pretiy little affairs nr ay be made that are like yokes that lie about the shoulders. They are finished with a rulfle all about, are wide on the shoulders and come to a point front and back. Little ribbons may tie under the arms, that they may not slip. Buoh yokes made of bright, pretty silk, and with the gown beneath furnished with big sleeves, and tied at the wrists with ribbon to matoh the color of the yoke, transform an invalid in her own estimation and make her a pretty picture, too. If the pretty hair has been cut, there should be a cap, quaint mob caps, the big ruffles making the face beneath seem like a pale, prim flower. Even though the head must not be closely covered, and the cap must be' of the thinnest stuff, the big ruffle must be so wide and so perky that one sees only the face in the quaint frame. If the poor cheeks look sadly sunken, then tuck a rosette in at each side of the cap, with ends of ribbon that will flutter over the cheeks, and be almost as friendly in softening the lines as the pretty hair itself used to be. Above all, do not let the invalid lose interest in her looks. A little childish vanity will keep her bright, and by so muoh her burden will be the less hard to bear. The accompanying sketches set before you five costumes which are suitable for the woman who is compelled to remain indoors. The model of the initial is in hazel-brown woolen poplin, trimmed with brown and green shot velvet. The waist hooks behind, and at the neck there is a pointed yoke of pleated poplin. The loose velvet jacket is finished with bretelles of velvet, and edged with a jet fringe. It fastens invisibly in front. The front of the skirt is cut sufficiently long to allow the end to be laid in folds and be hooked to the

jacket in front, thus giving the toilet the appearance of being cut princess. At the back the skirt is laid in pleats and comes about five inches above the waist line. It is trimmed with four rows of braided velvet in graduated widths. The sleeves are of bias shot velvet much puffed at the top, but tight at the wrist. The toilet is lined with silk. Black bengaline is the material of the second dress, and it is trimmed with jet passementerie and black lace. The costume is cut princess style, and has two pleats behind that take away the fullness, but the front has an inserted, piece that falls in folds from the bust downward. The fronts are edged with passementerie, which also goes arpund the bottom and the square yoke at the top in the manner indicated. The yoke of plain bengaline is trimmed with a lace flounce put on plain and having the points resting on the yoke. A wider flounce falls over the shoulders, and from the armholes to the waist is an arrangement of the lace. t The sleeves are of bengaline and require the whole breadth of the silk. They are pleated into the armhole instead of being gathered. The gown is lined with silk. A lovely gown of crepon in a delicate shade of rose-pink 1b next shown. The skirt is quite plain but very full, and around the waist is a band of satin ribbon. terminating in front in two loops and long ends. The bodice has large revere of crepon. edged by a frill of deep guipure in cream. The vest and lower part of the sleeves is of rose satin covered with guipure. A pretty wrapper is seen in the fourth illustration. Its Watteau pleat hangs away from the gown at the waist and the belt which confines the fullness at the back passes beneath it. The front is loose and buttons beneath the draping. The sleeves are puffed and trimmed with silk. The last example is a prefty fichu ol rose crepe de chine with insertions of black silk. The crepe is laid in folds and sewed to a lining of rose faille. The collar is also of faille and is pointed in the center but round in back where a clasp is placed. Copyright. 1803. Thebe are bracelets with diamond bow-knots.

RLACK BENGALINF.

ROSE-PINK CREPON.

PINK NUN’S VEILING.

FICHU OF ROSE CREPE DE CHINE.