Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 697, 13 October 1909, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE. By Miss Ida Mellflr. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) SOME PRETTY FASHIONS. While the fur stole flourishes as usual, a newer method of wearing fur at the neck is conspicuous in the mere collar-band or necklet of sable, ermine (real or imitation), squirrel and fox fur, tied with a huge bow of ribbon at the left side or at the back, and frilled top and bottom with muslin. This fur collar-band is quite a novelty

and a very smart one, to boot. Moreover, since it only demands a small

piece of fur, it" is not expensive, while carrying with it the stamp of "the\ latest." An oid stole or muff, of which only portions remain sound, can be cut up to make a very good appearance as a collar-band, which, unlike many a leading fashion, is practical as well as smart, and keeps out the cold far better than the loosely worn stole. One of the new collar-bandSjjjf dark fuT is sketched on our fuTWength figure and completes very cosily the costume of myrtle-green cloth, with its finish of black satin, of this being the narrow collar, the cuffs, and the bordering on the coat, while the Directoire sash is also of satin with fringed ends. The simpilicity of the coat is charming, and a pretty feature of the costume is the broad band of embroidered green cloth that rises above the sash and meets the chemisette of guipure. The skirt is a box-pleated one, and the waist is cut high. This is also an excellent style for dark blue serge, of a rather fine quality. A similar dress, but having the skirt cut princess fashion and without pleats, the corselet-piece lacking- embroidery, is carried out in cinnamon frieze, and looks very well indeed, the black facings remaining the same as on the dress sketched. LONC TUCKED SLEEVES. « Corselet skirts have proved so becoming and serviceable. that they are not likely to go out of fashion yet awhile, but will still remain favourites in the world of dress. The pinafore or sleeveless bodice, too, retains its

hold on fashion-lovers, and its most popular accompaniment is the long tight-fitting sleeve, tucked or plain. i'he tucked sleeve is in high favour, and looks partidularly well in thin materials. Our fashion sketch suggesting a corselet skirt with pinafore bodice and tucked sleeves and vest, is designed for two materials. The skirt and bodice, for instance, might be of cloth or velveteen (corded or plain), and the sleeves and vest of soft 1 silk, chiffon or net, in the same colour or otherwise. The bodice is pleated at either side, but is, for the rest, quite simple, and vanishes at the waist into the corselet of the skirt. The long sleeves are tucked in even, regular lines_, all the way down, and the vest and collar-band, again, are entirely tucked, while at the base of the latter is a midget cravat of velvet-ribbon. A pretty scheme for the dress is: Skirt and bodice, of milk-coffee qloth or cashmere, and sleeves, etc., of soft silk to match. In all-black, too. the dress works out very well. Of course. if preferred, the sbest could be ot lace. Fashions, at present, are very convenient, the mode of sleeveless bodices, ~" fichu-braces, and so on, admitting of one costume serving the purpose of v'o or three gowns and adapting itself to a variety of occasions with complete success.

COSEY FOR HOT-WATER BOTTLE. The hot-water bottle is a good friend to invalids and those who suffer from cold feet, easing pain wooing sleep, and being one of the cheapest of winter comforts. The hot-water bottle should be provided with a cosey or flannel, or lamb's wool, which helps, greatly, to retain heat. The cosey sketched is of green flannel embroidered with gjold r coloured wools and silks and bound with green

braid. The pattern is excellent, as the cosey is so easily put on and removed. The flannel is cut to. the shape of the hot-water bottle (the ends seamed to the body of the cosey) and* circle is cut out at thrf top, large enough to pass easily over the knob of the bottle, this circle being bound with braid. / , . There is no base to the cosey, but it is kept in place by a couple of elastics, sewn to the flannel near the four corners, each elastic passing underneath the bottle from #joJß.^ It is quite easy to "slip" the elastics when removing the cosey. and to adjust them under the bottle again when the, cosey is put on. As in the business of filling and emptying the bottle, there is always risk of spilling some of the water the cosey should not be on the water bottle at these times?