Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 248, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1917 — For the Debutante’s Dress Parade [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

For the Debutante’s Dress Parade

Who but a great designer, whose name is a synonym for originality and good style,' would think of combining broadcloth and linen? Here they are, beautifully blended in a naive gown for the debutante’s dress parade. It is of white broadcloth and white linen and exactly suited to its youthful wearer. Two views of it are presented because both the back and front must be seen to be fully appreciated and because it is a gem in designing for the young girl. ——- The skirt, plain bodice and sleeves are of broadcloth and the skirt is not plain or easily described. It hangs straight at the front with a wide, set-in panel of plaits across the back appearing under a short drapery, longer at the sides than at the center. Above this a much shorter drapery across the back Is an -extension of the front portion of the skirt which manages also to provide a little graceful falllngIn to-fol ds-at each side. —The- bodice-la semi-fitting and the sleeves long and close fitting except at the top where there Is a little fullness and a short tuck at the front and back allows the broadcloth to fall in a loose fold. This

little touch reflects the mode for sleeves full at the top, introduced for grown-ups, but in a very unpretentious way. And the short drapery across the back follows the bustle idea—at a respectful distance suited to youth. If the creator of this frock had stopped with broadcloth and omitted to add the linen apron and- girdJe, she would still have accomplished an unusual gown. But the resources of genius are revealed in the happy after thought of the apron. It has a “bib” at the-front and is finished with needle work stitches in yarn. There is an applique of cut-out embroidery in blue across the'bottom and a 'fringe of small, fuzzy balls of yarn. Straps over the shoulders are crossed In the back and fastened to the girdle at the sides. Just where this frock fastens is a secret not betrayed by the picture but the chances are it buttons at the front. The little hat is of white broadcloth, faced with blue velvet. It has a soft under yarn foliage and two soft balls made of yarn suspended from the leaves. It is no wonder that this costume was one of the triumphs of a recent fashion show.