Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1902 — VALE THE DECOLLETE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VALE THE DECOLLETE.

, Wife of the President Planning a Revo* lution in Drees. A dress revolution is in progress In Washington, the effect of which is to be the total extinction of the decollete gown. Washington ladies, without distinction of position, have appeared at dinners in tho regulation decollete gown. Quips and sneers at this full dress, or undress, have been unavailing to compel the ladies to raise the superstructure of their v gowns by an inch, but Mrs. Roosevelt and her associates propose that while the gown itself shall not be tampered with, a jacket or dinner cont shall become a proper and fashionable mode of keeping the shoulders warm. The lamented Mrs. Gage was a champion of this reform, and many of her companions in the cabinet assert that her death is attributable to a cold contracted at a dinner party. It seems that the ambassadors, envoys and army and navy officers who attend formal functions in full uniform are wont to complain of the heated atmosphere of rooms. A dipomatic representative of arctic Europe enters a drawing room ns the guest of honor. He Is wrapped in a uniform coat neary an inch thick, with

its padding and heavy gold bullion embroidery. A stiff collar, wound with gold, closely embraces his neck, and as he generally is given to high living his face quickly purples and steams. Noticing which, his hostess immediately has the room cooled in order to save his valuable life. But what is comfortable for the men is death to the women whose shoulders and arms are exposed. Mrs. Roosevelt and the ladies propose, therefore, to introduce a dinner coat, modeled on the fashion of that of the royal consort of Charles 11., Queen Catherine of Brnganza. A design of this coat may be seen in the play of Nell GWynne, when the Queen visits her rival's lodgings. This garment might be dropped from the shoulders with ease and again readily readjusted. It is close fitting iu the back, with loose angle sleeves and a dolman shape. It may not come in at once, but the influence of the cabinet ladies and Mrs. Roosevelt will be thrown in its favor.

MRS. ROOSEVELT.