The New Tussore Silk Coat.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 254, 31 October 1906, Page 8

The New Tussore Silk Coat.

Few women can afford to indulge in three or four wraps to supplement their outdoor attire. To provide oneself with a race-coat, a coat for automobiling, and perhaps one for driving in town, one must possess the purse of a Fortunatus, but one good, light summer coat which will wash or clean successfully is a possession no woman would care to be without. This season Tussore silk coats come first in favour, and answer all purposes., possessing a certain amount of warmth. The new Tussore silk, .known as the "Bajali," is the best for these purposes, as it is heavier and less papery than the ordinary silk of this kind, and the natural colour is best from the point of view of utility, as ifc docs not show the dust and -will -rca&h admirably. Goals of this description are usually adorned with a. thick raised embroidery of floss silk or flax thread—which will triumphantly survive .an immersion, in the Wash-tub—some T«ry pretty, effects begained in this way.- Another method of-treatment is to trim the coat with straps of cloth of the same shade,' but this is hardly so practical in the case of the natural coloured coat, as it necessitates its being cleaned instead of washed. Another charming wrap is that fashion of broderie Anglaise outlined with a wide shaped band of embroidered linen, in many cases Irish crochet being substi- j tuted for the broderie. Linen coats are equally high in favour, while examples of fine faced cloth, if not so useful as those in linen or Tussore, are nevertheless very popular, and are trimmed with flottant" straps of the cloth alternating with shot taffetas. The'uncompromising coat shape is by no means the only style which, obtains ; favour for race wear. Numbers of the smartest wraps are made in the form of long loose cToaks with- shawl capes which are bordered with deep incrustations of Torchon, Cltmy, or Irish lace, and which ! almost conceal the sleeves and fall in a point some way below the waist. The i skirts ~of these coats are. besides, often cut into points, still further accentuating the effect of a loose cape wrap. There is little change to note in the fashion of sleeves, the short. sleeve, with its long-fitting under sleeve of lace, net, or chiffon, continuing its popularity. Collar bands are distinctly growing higher, their width being kept in position by I gilt supports. Then, in waists, the latest j tendency is to carry the line, so that it gives an upward curve at the back, and a downward point in front. ,This is rather a becoming and pretty mode. Belts are always a much-studied item, and never more so than now. The leather variety is still worn. The smartest of all kinds have very long upright buckles in front, and are merely rucked behind, or else have another low, long ornament or buckle there. Old Georgian shoe buckles make a nice decoration. j Leather of a bright cherry hue is popular, so are jade green and royal blue. i These belts are to be worn with white frocks. With a natural Shantung or Tussore frock, bright chestnut looks well. Embroidered linen belts, in white, red and blue, or blue and holland, are serviceable, as they, can be taken out of their buckles and washed.