Ladies' Column

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 351, 29 January 1903, Page 2

Ladies' Column

FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE. Bt MISS ADA. MELLEB. *r (All Rights Bbsxbvxd.j A SMART BLACK AND WHITE ) r TOILET. ■BEN in doubt as to the choice of a dress it is helpful to rsmemb r that black and white, or cream and black, are never out of plaje, and are really the most generally becoming sc v ernes that can be selected. Such mixtures suit all types, and bear a quiet distinction that eclipses brighter modes. I am suggesting in the full-length sketch this week a skirt and short Eton coat of white or cream-coloured material, such aa serge or alpaca, trimmed with, black velvet ribbon. The collar Bhows quite the newest way of introducing a threaded ribbon, the collar itself being slashed up and stitched and the velvet passed in and oat instead of the more usual way <>t threading the ribbon through a lane insertion and stitching the insertion oa to the collar of the dress. The velvet continues ih long ends, and is fastened down to the collar with a couple of fancy cut-

steel or paste buttons. The Eton cost is mode with two perfectly plain flounces, without a particle of fulness in them, eich fl ranee being piped with black velvet and finished with a few rowa of .stitching. The cuffs to the sleeves correspond, and the skirt is trimmed en suite, the small flounces having no fulness in them and being piped with velvet. This smart little coat could, of course, be worn over any light blouse or lace waistcoat. Tt is quite simple but yet has a distinct style, and is a pretty change from the usual Eton coat cut all in one. Another idea for an Eton is to build it of three, instead of only two, flounces, in which case the flounces are, of course, narrower, and the effect of three rows of black piping is evident. 3 TWO PEETTY BLOUSES. It is doubtful whether any fashion has ever been more popular than the blouse, which in spite of predictions which were long ago made concerning its demise, must still be civen prido of place among reigning modes. Considering the quick changes which fashions undergo it is somewhat surprising that. faithfulness has been maintained towards one particular style for. so long a time. Bat, on the other hand, the blouse lends itself to such infinite variety that its only essential characteristic ia a certain ease of cut and fulness cf material, ai distinct from the tight-fitting bodice. Therefore, owing to its variety and utility, the blouse is not likely to be relegated to past modes. Two suggestions for Blouses are Riven in the group sketch. The model with a separate vest is made of printed Ja panose silk, and is after the style cf the 'Handkerchief blouse. The deep, shaped collar, its

special feature, is continued in ends which are knotted into a bow. The collar if trimmed all round with a band of jruipuxp insertion and a hem of coloured silk, ana the vest is of silk and insertion. Tbi sleevea are of the fashionable bishop shape, gathered into cuffs of lace insertion. This model is equally becoming to thin and stout figures. The other blouse is of tucked white soft silk, inlet with brown guipure! motifs, the silk b ing cut awjay beneath the guipure. The blouse is anllned. The sleeves are closely tucked to the elbow, and the silk is clasped with bracelets of guipure. SUMMER LINGERIE. Among the newer models of underbodioes many are of fine nainsook slightly trimmed with; washing lao 9, a pretty model exquisitely light and coo'-wearing, baing made without armholes, the bodice being shorn off! on a level with th<» top of the corset, an'd being held in place by shoulder-ribbons. This bodice is a mere cache-corset, bfit it serves its puipoße of keeping the figrare trim. It is essential that a garment of the sort should be worn when a loose blouse forms the dress bodice, otherwise the upper part of the figure loses shape and symmetry. Moreover, as every woman knows, » oaohe* corset is necessary to hide the ugly line yielded by the top of the corset, and which is visible through a thin blouse if it i« not concealed by an under-bodice of some sort. Cdrtain of this summer's caehecorsets are made somewhat after the model of a short, rounded bolero, with continued ends which are knotted in a bow in' front. The material is nainsook edged with narrow lace. Others are. fastened with a pearl button and loops, and have no continued ends, the latter model being the better of the two,, for the bow ia super-. fIuDUS, though thin figares find it be- < coming. The; pattern' with ends might very well be' copied in lace Or "chiffon or flowered mushta, and be worn over instead ef under the blouse, find Would really form a pretty finish to a blouse that was accordion-pleated or made of soft, clear material, such as chiffon or esprit set,