ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 67

ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Dear Emmeline, — There is always at this season of the year a species of temporary inactivity in the world of dress. We are hovering, as it were, on the borderland where summer and early winter meet, and a general indecisiveness as to weather places us in the uncertain position of one day appearing in diaphanous toilettes of summery aspect and the next possibly in a warm coat and skirt suggestive of the chills of autumn. As there is every prospect of many days of sunshine before us ere we reach the unwelcome chills and fogs of winter, it is as well to have a general overhauling of the contents of our wardrobes with a. view to ascertaining what, with a few renovating touches, will prove suitable for immediate use until such time as we have made up oui minds as to how anc 1 what our wintei toilettes will be. Many and easily brought about are those sundry improvements which mean so much so far as the tout ensemble is concerned. I should recommend that tailor-made coats and skirts be sent to the tailor to be cleaned if necessary, and in any ease pressed, as however careful we may be, it requires a skilled hand and the requisite accessories to press a garment well and neatly into the- shape in which it was originally cut. -There is nothing so comfortable for ordinary everyday -wear at this time as a neatlymade coat and skirt such as ie here depicted. It was originally cut on the simplest lines possible for the successful achievement of a smart bolero and skirt, and was made of

a- good, well-shrunk navy blue serge. After its return in rejuvenated form from the tailor's, a consultation was held thereon as to its possibilities, with the result of the addition of a red-spotted panne collar bordered with black and gold braid, the cuffs being to match. A finish was also given to the bolero by an edging of the braid, which was likewise aranged in lines round the skirt and down the seams, with the result of an exceedingly smart autumn toilette. It was worn with a hat of burnt straw bound with black velvet, and trimmed with a chou of the red spotted panne and a. black quill. An Oriental blouse of creamy satin patterned lightly with navy blue, and having a touch of red at the throat, and a red leather belt and chatelaine at the waist were the finishing touches of an altogether transmogrified costume.

The blouse reigns pre-eminent at present, as throughout its long-continued spell of popularity it has proved itself superior to all attempts at dethronement, and perhaps the most useful article of dress in our wardrobes. The collarless blouse "took on" wonderfully this season, and is certainly eminently comfortable, although, of course, one has to rise superior to the inconvenience of a sunburnt throat, which is a necessary consequence. The smart specimen illustrated

is for morning wear, and ir created from a creamy silk linen with a yoke and cuffs of yak lace. It boasts a collar of lace which comes high at either side, being supported by small pieces of whalebone. It is simply made >vith one or two narrow tucks and small bishop sleeves, and is fastened under the arm and on one shoulder. It was almost inevitable that a blouse with a transparent yoke should fasten down the centre back, but this mode had most undoubted drawbacks, as anyone will certify who has found herself with a limited time to dress, and with no feminine aid obtainable. There is nothing which unfailingly results m a more unpleasant quarter of in hour with one's masculine relatives than an appeal tor assistance under such circumstances. Therefore the introduction of the side fastening is a distinct improvement. The smart hat sketched own? to Drench, extraction, and is exceedingly simply trimmed. It is of brown straw bound with velvet of a darker tone, and is trimmed with two natural coloured quills and a large bunch of shaded violets in front. There seems considerable hesitation as to the exact nngl« at which our hats should be put on, and many are the smart samples of millinery .•^Quoh are altogether spoiled by. _sucji yum-

ranee. Fashion seems to point to only two methods. Either we shall wear our hats right over our noses a la Parisienne, or at the back of our heads in the style approved of by Englishwomen. Everything depends, of course, upon the coiffure, and what is-

most becoming to the face. There are some of the latest novelties in millinery which are strongly reminiscent of the pork-pie hat of long ago, so no doubt the huge chignon which appeared in conjunction with such a style in the early seventies will once more be introduced, though this is deeidealy undesirable. — Yours truly, COQUETTE.