The Star

Styles in Collars and Stocks.

The general preference at present seems to be in favor of high, close stocks for outdoor wear, and flat, easy collars for the house gowns and silk waists. At the neckwear departments of the big drygoods houses they sell examples of this latter model out of heavy yellow Irish, Dutch or Italian lace, in combination with velvet or mirror velveteen; and from France they are sending over delicate lawn and linen flat collars, with white embroidery around the edges and on the points. These are fastened with big old-fashioned cameo or seed pearl brooches.

Should a woman prefer something quite as airy though less severe than a perfectly flat collar she can do no better than wear one of the new tucked silk muslin collars, the pattern of which only came into being a short time ago. The band of muslin that clasps the neck is tucked to give it stiffness and body, and the tie ends are tucked almost to their tips, where they are finished with rows of hemstitching or a broad hem, briar stitched down. In some cases a single thickness of colored liberty silk is tacked on the inside of the neckband, and often enough of cafe au lait muslin is employed instead of the ivory white.

Instead of French knots, once so popular in the decoration of fancy neckties, the humor now is for prettily beaded or pearl sprinkled stocks, and for some of the fashionable new spring tailor dresses the most wonderful adjustable jewelled collars of leather have been introduced. A beautifully dressed suede or glace kid is used for this purpose. The collar is cut from one strip of delicate skin, trimmed with flat cabochon, turquoise, pearls or steel beads, lined with a soft satin, and is hooked on with any gown with which it will harmonize.

Women faithful to the stiff linen collar wear starched Roman bands, such as the clergy use, and with this a broad folded Windsor tie of the richest, softest bird's-eye silk. This is, however, rarely seen, save in the make-up of a smart automobiling costume, when the tie is red or that new shade of haberdashery blue known as Irish eyes.--New York Sun.