FASHIONLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 233, 1 October 1910, Page 21

FASHIONLAND.

■ (From.-Oar Lady Correspondent.) LONDON August 19. Already, though we are ostensibly in the middle of real summer, there are signs that velvet will be as popular this winter as it was last, so that ail -those lucky possessors of a gown of the beautiful fabric may rest content that it will, with a little furbishing, " do still another season." A s to fashion, it is still at a standstill, and many wild suggestions are being made as to the next freak of Madame la mode. "Hobbles" are being run to death by the common crowd, and would, therefore, be doomed, by that, if they had not already fallen into the background. A home-made hobble is a terrible thing to behold. Tunics appear to De as secure in public favour as ever. With velvet it will be safe to prophesy that even that graceful fashion must be put aside, however. The crowning glory of velvet or velveteen must always be its simplicity, and one tiny dab of unnecessary trimming will cheapen the most rich material. There is no more pitiful sight than that to be seen every time one walks along the fashionable streets of London, viz., the dress of those who add to the fashion, quite unconscious, evidently, of the suitability, or the opposite, of what they have donned after being turned out as. complete by their dressmaker and milliner. A white veil, brown gloves, brown boots, an underskirt of a shade that does not harmonise -with what is worn above —all these may utterly ruin the effect of a toilette, no matter how exclusive and 'becoming if worn when they are out of place. It is impossible for a woman to appear well-dressed when the whole effect of what she wears is not restful. IMITATION PLUMAGE. Ribbon plumage is one of the newest hat trimmings and is designed for those humane women who decline to wear as hat trimming feathers that have cost a bird its life. So far I have seen an illustration of this new idea, and, in that, the shot ribbon appears to be stretched out on canvas, or some stiff underlining, to represent quills. The eyes of the "bird".are of velvet covered cardboard set with cabachon glass. NEW HAT SHAPE. From Lausanne, through the "Central News," comes word of a Swiss patent that has just been obtained for a new hat shape, by means of which real flowers may be worn as head ornaments. The framework of the shape is so constructed that, as the flowers will stand in water, the wearer will be able to carry a real bouquet on her head, and as the little flower-holders are fed by a supply of water, which will -be carried in what is practically a small cistern, the flowers will last a considerable time. It is said this novel hat will .be very light to wear, and that its many advantages are obvious. As often as necessary the flowers may be replaced by the owner herself, or if a particularly elaborate arrangement is desired for a special occasion it will only be necessary to send the hat to be dressed at the nearest florist's shop. It reads well, but the idea of "a sapply of water," which is to apparently be carried about on our heads, does not appeal to at least one of the weaker sex! DEATH-TRAP SKIRTS. Yet another accident has happened to the wearer of a hobble skirt, itme. Charlotte Menetrey fell on getting out of a cab at Enghien on Saturday last, sustaining a deep wound in her neck, through landing on a piece of broken glass. She also fractured her right ankle. There has been some talk lately of reviving the crinoline, and, though we might all have justly exclaimed at its foolishness and inadaptability for London wear and tear, it is truly no more absurd—being much too voluminous— than the toddle skirt has been—being much too skimpy. Only this week in Florence Nightingale's "Notes on Nuring for the Labouring Classes," I came across this: "I wish," Miss Nightingale says, "that people who wear crinoline could see the i indecency of their own dress as other people see it. A respectable elderly woman stooping forward, in crinoline, exposes quite as much of her own person to the patient lying in the room as any dancer does on the stage. But no one will tell her this unpleasant truth." WOMEN AND SLEEP. A -woman should not train herself to wake up only with an alarm clock set at a certain hour. She should go to •bed with the fixed idea in, her 'brain to awaken at a certain hour, and she will rarely fail to open her eyes at that minute. Do not despise sleep in the daytime, if it is possible to have it, and, if you •cannot sleep, at least allow yourself to rest. There is nothing like sleep, it should he remembered, for building up nerve-power. EOR THE HOJEErLALTNDRESS.' When ironing coloured muslins do not use the iron too hot, as it is apt to destroy the colour. The pressure o± tiie iron must he even, and the iron be lifted as little as possible. The material must be ironed till it .is perfectly dry,. and then aired, or it will become limp. Muslin trimmed with lace should have the lace ironed first, then the muslin itself. If the muslin feels too stiff after being ironed, the fault can he remedied by putting it through .water and then ironing it again. FOR AND AGAINST COEEEE. It may not 'be generally known, perhaps, that coffee which has 'been freed from sediment by -being strained through muslin, is a capital fluid for freshhro- up black silk. ° ' Sponge on the right side, leave till nearly dry, then iron on the wrong side. Even when there is cream in the coffee, stains can he removed from the most delicate silk or woollen fabrics by brushing the spots with pure glycerine and rinsing in lukewarm water. Afterwards press on the wrong side with a warm iron. FOR BAZAARS. Home-made sponge-bags are useful and easily manufactured articles that would always find a ready sale at a bazaar. Any material that water will not spoil may be used, lined with mackintosh. FOR WEARY FEET. So many people suffer intensely "when their feet get hot and weary that the following rules for looking after them may be useful. ! It is not generally known, .perhaps, that methylated spirits rubbed into the feet night and morning is an excellent remedy for tender feet, and keeps them swelling with heater iiredness. )

Powdered boratie acid will also prove a wonderful help in relieving feet that feel hot and uncomfortable. Bathe the feet at night in warm boracie -water, then rinse them -well in cold -water, and sprinkle them with a little boracie acid. In the morning put a little of -the powder into the stockings, and it "Will allay the tired sensation of the feet. Another very simple and effective method is to soak the feet in salt and water. For ordinary corns a vinegar and bread poultice is often very beneficial. Take a fourth of a cup of vinegar and crumble some bread finely into it. Let it stand for half an hour, until it softens into a good poultice, then apply it on going to bed at night. In the morning soak the foot in -warm water, and the corn can be easily removed. If the corn is very obstinate it may require two or more applications to effect a cure. RULES OF HEALTH. "Fresh air at night, toy day, tooth air and sun; Pure water, dust-free rooms, the hours made good With honest work, and just a little fun; Dry, fresh, loose clotniiig,.frequent baths. a hand Quick to give help—these, more than gold, are wealth, While love and laughter fill a happy - land. Long life to all! These are the Rules of Health.