Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1917 — COAT DRESS USEFUL Promises to Be One of the Most Popular Items of Wardrobe. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COAT DRESS USEFUL

Promises to Be One of the Most Popular Items of Wardrobe.

Serge, Gaberdine, Tricotine and Twills Among Fabrics Utilized in These Frocks. The coat dress, or robe manteau, still promises to be one the most popular items of the wardrobe- Garment manufacturers and fashion designers say that never has so useful a garment been devised. It Is both a coat and a dress and many also take the place of a suit The various popular wool fabrics, such as serge, gaberdine, tricotine, twills, etc., are employed in the development of coat dresses, and light shades are popular as well as the staple and dependable navy. Beige, snail and lead gray and several shades of tan have been noted in the development of these coat frocks. The garment shown In the sketch is made of navy gaberdine, trimmed in satin in a contrasting shade. Goldcolored satin might be used; red or a lighter shade of blue would also be effective. The double row ot nuttons down the front may match either the navy of the frock proper or the trimming, • The double-strap belt extends straight around the back, and the wide tabs on either side of the waist In front conceal pockets. Pockets are featured on nearly all tailored spring and summer dresses, suits and coats. As will be noted, this garment shows a rather straight silhouette — that is, while a waistline is indicated, the skirt follows the natural lines of the figure, and no exaggerated barrel flare is evident. The barrel skirt was largely a scarehead style feature devised early to stimulate a somewhat lagging demand for ready-to-wear garments. Few who thought seriously of style development paid much attention to it. Women still cling to the straight-line garments, and

something very much more attractive than the barrel skirt must make Its appearance before their popularity wanes. To make the coat frock sketched five and a half yards of material 36 inches wide will be required, with one yard of contrasting color for collar, cuffs, belt, etc.

Gaberdine Coat Dress.