Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1916 — FANCIES AND FADS OF FASHION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FANCIES AND FADS OF FASHION

By Julia Bottomley

BATHING FROCKS AND SWIMMING SUITS

Bathing suits of this design include many new departures from accepted styles of other years. They are ampler in length and width of skirt; many of them have sleeves that partially cover the upper arm, and considerable needlework 18 involved in their making. There are princess models that took like riding coats, and there are full skirts with pantalets that reach some inches below the knees. Most novel of all is a model made of silk with a very full skirt sewed together across the bottom, with two openings to thrust the feet through. This serves the purpose of bloomers and skirt. One of the best of the new designs Js shown in the illustration. It is of black taffeta trimmed with narrow white braid. The skirt is cut in four gores, narrow at the top and pointed at the bottom. The waist, cut with kimono sleeves, opens over a white silk vest. Revers reach to the waist line, and there is a small flaring collar at the back. These and the sleeves, which are slit up the top of the arm, are outlined with two rows of the narrow white braid. Black and white silk in wide stripes make the close-fitting cap with wings of plain black, and black and white are combined in the stockings and slippers. Altogether this is a model that is attractive and practical. Short knickerbockers are

worn under the skirt Broad stripes in many color combinations serve the designer of smart bathing suits to the best purpose. Wide skirts are cut with stripes running diagonally, about the figure, and the waists with perpendicular stripes. Usually a fitted girdle of silk, in a plain color, is shaped into a pointed belt that joins waist and skirt, and a little vest of the plain silk is introduced at the frdnt. Bloomers and stockings match the vest and girdle in color, and It is the custom to make the hat or cap of the same plain material. There is a distinction between a regular swimming suit and the bathing frock. Swimming suits are closer fitting and are made of wool jersey or fiber silk, for the girl who takes her swimming seriously. No frivolities of decoration add even a little extra weight to it and it is not expected that the wearer will promenade about the beach in it. The princess bathing suits are very trim and shapely. Plain materials, with collar, pockets and borders in striped or plaid or checked fabrics, make them very sightly affairs. The bloomers reach below the knees, and the skirts are almost as long. Silk poplin and taffeta head the list of silks, but there are several crther fabrics in silk or wool that have helped to make this season’s offerings in bathing suits the best within the memory of the'fashion writer.