A throat like a ten-stringed instrument, surmounting square shoulders that end in knobs that obtrude above unfilled hollows, is an unpleasing vision that looms up conspicuously too often in opera-box and drawing-room.

[Illustration:  No. 61]

The unattractive exhibition 61, is a familiar sight in the social world.  How insufferably ugly such uncovered anatomy appears in the scenery of a rich and dainty music-room may be readily imagined by those who have been spared the unpleasing display.  It is so obvious that shoulders like these should always be covered that it seems superfluous to remark that this type should never wear any sleeve that falls below the shoulder-line.

[Illustration:  No. 62]

The sleeve falling off the shoulder was invented for the classic contour, set forth in No. 62.  Nor ribbons, nor lace, nor jewel are needed to enhance the perfect beauty of a fine, slender, white throat, and the felicitous curves of sloping shoulders.

One whose individual endowments are as meagre as are those presented in No. 61 may improve her defects by adopting either style of corsage, shown in sketches Nos. 63 and 64.

A woman’s throat may lack a certain desirable roundness, and her shoulders may recede in awkward lines, and yet between these defective features the curves may have a not unpleasing daintiness and delicacy in modelling that can be advantageously revealed.  A modish velvet throat-band, such as is shown by No. 63, is one of the most graceful conceits of fashion.  The too slim throat encircled by velvet or ornamented with a jewelled buckle or brooch is effectively framed.  The unsightly lines of the shoulders are covered, and just enough individual robustness is disclosed to suggest with becoming propriety the conventional decollete corsage.  The Princess of Wales is as constant to her velvet or pearl neck-band, as to her especial style of coiffure.  Her throat, in evening dress, never appears unadorned by one or the other of these beautiful bands that so cleverly conceal defects and seem to bring out more richly the texture and coloring of handsome bare shoulders.

[Illustration:  No. 63]

[Illustration:  No. 64]

Those who do not approve of the decollete style of dress, or whose ungraceful proportions might well be entirely concealed, can wear with appropriateness and benefit the corsage shown in No. 64.  This has much in its favor for a slender body.  The upper part of the waist may be made of chiffon or crepe, which is beautifully—­one might say benignly—­translucent.  It has an insinuating transparency that neither reveals nor conceals too much.  The neck-band of velvet or satin, full and soft, apparently enlarges the throat.  The sleeves may be in whatever style in cut prevails.  This costume carries perfectly into effect the requirements of evening dress, and may be worn with equal fitness to formal functions or to informal affairs.  A coat-sleeve of lace, crepe, or chiffon, beflounced at the wrist, may be inserted under the short satin sleeves when the occasion does not require gloves.  The soft, white setting of thin textures around the throat and shoulders clears the complexion and brings into relief the pretty, delicate lines of a refined face.