Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 698, 20 October 1909, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE. By Mies Ida Meller. • (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) hj • a ch; tming princess cress. When new fashions first set in they often run to extremes, but afterwards settle down-into a more becoming' moderation, and this has been the case with the revived Directoire modes, which appeared somewhat startling- at first, especially when designed with cut-up side panels, but now accommodate themselves most charmingly to the modern woman. Dressmakers have worked all sorts of pretty variations on the Directoire thee, and in many cases only a slight trace of the

original model that inspired the new "creation" is evident. A simple, graceful toilette that bears

a certain dignity with it and is, there- ■ fore, particularly suitable to the young is shown in our illustration, and works out very well in velveteen, cloth, cashmere, or any such materials, lit is a princess dress, and the bodice • is folded on the* shoulders and cut low, showing" a little inserted piece of embroidery that rests between the dress and the vest of lace, similar embroidery trimming the skirt at the foot. The long sleeves tucked all the way down and miglw be of the dress material or of chiffon to match, while another suggestion is to the effect that the sleeves should be of lace, in harmony with the vest. In this case the tucks might be dispensed with. The design, it ,will be seen, is one that is open to reproduction in various ways. The dress is very effective and useful in one of the new greens—oak leaf for instance —with embroidery to match, and vest of coffee-tinted lace. A DAINTY BLOUSE. The long winter evenings are pleasantly passed in friendly social gatherings, little "musical medleys," card parties, informal dances, and so on, and for these occasions some pretty frocks must be prepared. It is no unusual thing for half a ? dozen friends or so, musically disposed, to arrangtjfti during- the winter, weekly meetings for musical practice and chat at one another's houses, and for such little meetings as these nothing very smart in the way of frocks is required, but one or two pretty, simple blouses are

very useful. This can do duty with blouses of any kind and color. The blouses may be of white washing silk, cream or pale blue nun's veiling (all relieved with a touch of lace), or light delaine with a fancy surface. If of the latter the design illustrated might be copied, for the original of the picture is in cream delaine with a cherry-red spot, the strappings, pined with cherry-coloured silk and the buttons covered with the same. Between the strappings the material, it will be observed, is arranged in pintucks, and the tight-fitting cuffs', cut very long, are also slightly tucked and are finished with frills of lace, while the vest and high collar are of guipure. Were the blouse made of pale blue material, the pipings to the straps would look well in black, and the buttons should also be black, while if the design were copied in white Jap silk the strappings might be replaced by bands of Torchon or crochet lace insertion, the material being cut away beneath or not.

A DECORATIVE SPONCE-BAC. A sponge-bag is not. as a rule, a very pretty article, but there is no reason that it should not be decoratively treated, and an idea for a really dainty little sponge-bag is given in our sketch. This outer bag illustrated contains an ordinary waterproof or oil silk sponge-bag ,and may, therefore, be made of satin or velvet fyr visiting occasions, or of cretonne or linen for

home use. It is made in the ordinary way, and is drawn up with a cord at the 'neck; but before being' made up, the piece of material that will form the front of the bag is embroidered in a fancy design on the lower part and with the word "Sponge" above. The inner bag. of waterproof material, should be lightly tacked at the top to the embroidered outer bag, and need not have any draw-up of its own.