Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1912 — FASHIONS OF THE MOMENT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FASHIONS OF THE MOMENT.

OLD FASHION REVIVED j < BROCADED FABRICS HAVE RETURNED TO FAVOR. F-- Richness of Texture These Mate- £ Can Hardly Be Duplicated, and a Glad Welcome Will Be Found Awaiting Them. Brocaded fabrics are again shown for the grander gowns, and when they begin to please, the exquisite weaves now seen will doubtless be imitated more or less successfully with cheaper grades of silk and velvet. The textures have none of the stiff-

ness of ye ancient times, although the softly-falling silks are sometimes of Incredible thickness. There are brocades for the dowager and brocades for the debutante, patterns fcrr the former being larger and the silks and velvets richer with gold and silver threads than those for the latter. Buds, tiny roses, love knots, little baskets of flowers and blue ribbons waving about flower sprays in natural hues appear upon the silks for youthful evening wear. And the frocks, we are told, are to be made with a good deal of the antiquated charm —the lovely flowered silks shaping paniered tunics attached to square-necked bodices, with ruffled elbow sleeves. This sweetness will go over lace petticoats, looped and garlanded with flower bands in the old way. The self-colored brocades are insisted upon by the fashion people for street use, as those with contrasting

flowers seem a shade too gay; conventional designs, small flower bouquets, ovals, crescents, circles, and plaided and checked effects appear on these. With the black brocades in velvet or silk sparkling Jet seems a fitting garniture. and some cut velvet coats display very grand buttons and frog chains of it. For high dress use, there is nothing more handsome for the dowager than a coat of this sort, and such wraps are loose, wide-sleeved and altogether graceful. The brocaded influence is seen even among mourning materials, one silk and wool fabric for tailored gowns imitating the wide and narrow lines of men’s suiting. A black Chinese crepe, closely covered with dull flowers, is shown for the waists of fine black dresses, and in the half mourning department there is a dusky gun metal color which is having considerable vogue, this showing up splendidly in almost every material. For tailored suits in color or black, there is a new velvet with a corduroy look, but without the ridges of this well-known fabric, and with this a silk braid goes most handsomely. Mole or taupe is a favorite color in these fine fabrics, which sems to indi* cate that they are preferably for elderly wearers; as should be all the textures with large patterns. At any rate, it is an established truth that a brocaded material must be carefully managed not to give Its wearer something of a settled look. The fact that such rich trimmings need to be used increases this danger, unless the fine garniture is very sparingly- put on or the wearer takes things in her own hands and orders filmy chiffons and nets for the touches of the brocaded gown or coat. Fur and marabout bands, both of which will be much used on the coats, supply the proper decking for such sets, which, because of the patterns of the fabrics, would appear unfinished if left untrimmed.

MARY DEAN.