HOW TO DRESS CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9143, 29 June 1895, Page 3

HOW TO DRESS CHILDREN.

Children are wearing velvet and velveteen more than ever this winter, and for little ones the straight robe, box-pleated on to a handsome yoke, is still preferred. Now it is the collar which forms the chic of a child's dress, and this is made in all shapes—fiat, pointed, round, square—but always large. Cloaks always form an important item in a child's wardrobe at this time of the year. Plain cloth, box-pleated on to a fur yoke, with a cape also pleated on to the same yoke is an elegant model. Both skirt and cape are edged with fur, and the large sleeves have fur cuffs from elbow downwards. Hoods are seen on many long coats. I have seen them lined with velvet, to match the shoulder-pieces, and a bow with long end 3 falls from the centre. The cloak itself is always full, back and front, like an Empire robe, and is now box pleated instead of being gathered on the yoke.

Tailor-gowns can be worn by older girls. There are many styles which are becoming to them, as, for instance, an Eton jacket which fastens across the front. These bodices are not difficult to make, but they require to be very neatly finished off; the collar should fit as tightly as possible to the back of the neck, if it opens in front to show a starched front. Then, again, the opening must be very slight, as the stiff linen widens it out. Revers must be pressed perfectly flat; they should be lined with a thickness of crisp muslin between the material to make them set nicely.

Dainty fichus are provided to wear with it in the house. One is cut like a deep square yoke, but is wider than usual; it is composed of white book muslin, and fastens down the front; the border is edged first with an insertion of Valengiennes lace, then a muslin hem, and finally a frill of lace edging. The bond collar is covered with some of the insertion, and is finished with a large bow of it at the back of the neck. Fichus of this description render the" most simple frocks quite dressy enough to wear in the afternoon when there are visitors.