Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1914 — Costuming the Maids of Brides-to-Be [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Costuming the Maids of Brides-to-Be

EVERY prospective bride wants her maids to be picturesque; like and something unlike those who have preceded in other corteges of beautiful youth. The present styles fire one with enthusiasm when their possibilities for the bridesmaid are considered. The ambitibn of the bride for original touches in the costuming of her maids has any number of good chances for fulfillment. Chiffon taffeta for quaint, bouffant gowns has a sheen like pearls. Crepes and voiles are made in the same patterns. Nothing could be prettier. Laces and nets of the filmiest sorts are incredibly low in price, since they are the product of machine work plus the brains of their designers. The smart bridesmaid’s costume shown here is made of chlffdn taffeta in the palest of pink tones, with bouffant hip drapery and a wide girdle which falls below the waist line. The sleeves are merely a fall of wide shadow lace, and there is a small chiffon vest with lace over it at the front. Eight yards of silk in the average width will make this gown. The skirt is almost plain, narrow at the bottom and hanging in below the knees. The

drapery extends over the hips and across the back, terminating at each side of the front.

A tiny bouquet of sapphire blue for-get-me-nots and button roses is tucked in at the waist by way of a finishing touch, and a strand of pearls in the length which fashion requires is worn at the neck. There is a plain fold of chiffon under the edges of tl?3 where it opens at the front 1 The hat is a gold-colored leghorn draped with sapphire blue chiffon on the underbrim, with trimming of pink roses and grasses. The blue chiffon over the yellow braid gives a greenish tone which is repeated in the silk used for the foundation of the muff. Over this the blue chiffon is draped in full puffs with twists' of darker blue velvet between them and a big pink rose with its foliage mounted at the front. This combination of color is very unusual, is entirely new, and beautiful. The hat is wide brimmed wtih a very low round crown. The muff does away with the necessity for and would make a splendid gift if the bride is disposed to remember her maids so liberally.

JULIA BOTTOMLEY.