The Caucasian

DRESS AND FASHION.

LEADING FEATURES IN THE MODES OF THE SEASON.

The Forward Tilt or an Ascending Line From Front to Back—Smart Yachting Dress—Gossamer Material For the Daytime.

Perhaps the most striking line of the near future in dress will be the upward tendency from front to back. That the corset is at the root of this will readily be surmised. The corset, or, rather, the corset maker, is at the root of most modistic matters nowadays.

Dressmakers and tailors, too, are amiably agreeing to the disposal of flounces and crossway folds, these tapering off in front to fully half the depth reached behind.

To put the matter somewhat differently, a better explanation may be that a downward tendency from back to front is the aim of the up to date corset makers, who are shortening their latest models a good three-quarters of an inch at the back of the waist.

Thus the "altogether," taken in one comprehensive glance from head to foot and from the side, will be a pronounced tilt forward, slightly reminiscent, perchance, of the one time acquired "Grecian bend."

The first sketch, besides exemplifying to some extent this favorite line of fashion, shows a gown which is a perfect poem in itself. It is of ivory embroidered point d'esprit, almost covered with graduating applique tucks of ivory crepe de chine, the tucks arranged in a new manner, each showing a peep of the lace beneath, a deep perpendicular fold of crepe de chine on either side of the hips breaking the line of tuckings. The bodice pouches over a wide girdle or basque of deep cream guipure, and has a gold embroidered waistcoat. A mixture of lace and chiffon is introduced into the sleeves, with a soft little puff of the latter below the elbow.

The second cut shows a smart yachting coat appropriate to the season. This coat wrap is made of navy cloth and has a simulated undercoat of red cloth liberally strapped with the blue, and down the center of each strap runs a line of rich gold braid.

Certainly this season gossamer materials are being worn in the daytime which were not considered at all correct in the times that are past. Net with rings and spots and other devices, plain tulles, lace, the most gossamer of silk muslins, are worked with gold or silver threads and with minute pearls.

But the great novelty of the moment is without doubt small ribbons and minute rouleaux worked into designs as they used to be years ago. Looking back to the beginning of the nineteenth century, when the short empire waists were in vogue, we find the hems of the skirts were trimmed with interlaced ribbons, whether they formed either a series of diamonds or consecutive circles, and these played their part on the sleeves and the bodices.

Flowers are a great adjunct to the dress of the moment. We have flower fans which when closed look like a spray of blossoms and beautiful painted ones with butterflies and peacocks' feathers mingling with painted blooms, and ruffles are sewed over at the edge either with petals or small flowers.

GREAT YACHTING COAT.

IVORY CREPE AND LACE GOWN.