Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 258, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1911 — PURELY FEMININE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PURELY FEMININE

WHEN PURSE IS LIGHT ’WOMAN OF INGENUITY EASILY CAN BE WELL DRESSED. Some Old Clothes, a Little Wit and Some Work Can Produce Won*. *'o, derful Results— Stripes Are Immensely Stylish. It goes without saying that a costume Is far easier to make than a coat suit, and there 1b one style at [present much exploited In the shops which might well appeal to home sew* ers. This is the dress-of one-piece effect showing a little bodice with a plaited tail and puffings for trimminigß. 'With it goes the snuggest sort of a

short skirt, decked like the waißt with puff bands, and sometimes holding two funny little shirred, pockets on the .front panel. In a dark silk, with tt\e ■ usual white touches on the bodice, this frock has a most practical value, for while suited to general service it can be made very smart with a dressy hat, dainty shoes and otber proper accessories. It is the fad to carry huge envelope bags with these dresses, when they are worn outdoo'rs, and when the

wearer is very young and pretty she may add to the qualritneas of her appearance by wearing one of the picturesque poke bonnets which are so pretty for youthful faces. A long coat or a shoulder mantle of velvet or velveteen. the long ends tying over at the front, will be worn over this little frock In the street, and when the wrap is removed the costume is at once ready for the house. About eight yards of sHk or satin-in the usual narrow width are required for the medium figure, and as the waist is gathered there is scarcely any fitting. This stylish and useful little dress is shown in our illustration, the material being silk in a dim wistaria shade. The vest and undersleeves are of cream net and Val lace, treated to a little needlework in wistaria linen floss.* ’ A double-faced satin, or silk could be used for this style, with the puffings made up on the facing side; but it is far more usual to have all one color and one material and the effect is far better than when the trimming contrasts. Aniy soft wool, such as cashmere or veiling or marquisette, id adapted to the style, but although a very light and pliable cloth may also be used a thinner texture gives a better look. In fact, silk and satin are par excellence the materials for the graceful and youthful model. The surplice bodice styles and tunle skirts also recommend themselves to domestic sewers, for draped are far less difficult to accomplish than plain ones, and such models are very useful for a combination of materials and for making over two old frocks into one. Apropos of materials, stripes are to be immensely stylish, for of all patterns they give the slimmest look; moreover, a street suit in a good striped wool requires no trimming other than good buttons and straight stitching. Sometimes homy! ingenuity is carried to th# point qf utmost brilliancy, the sewer thinking of little things the paid dressmaker would never dare attempt. *>>'./■ \ Some old clothes, a little wit and some money to buy a few things, and anybody can be well dressed. But the gentle art of the needle comes first, for, even if she has her frocks made, no woman can be perfectly dressed without understanding the needs of her figure and ftce in tHte most practical way. At any rate, the owner of the light pocketbook must sew.

MARY DEAN.