THE USES OF CRETONNE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 211, 30 May 1908, Page 11

THE USES OF CRETONNE.

According to the writer of tho " Woman's Realm" column ill the "Argus," there is no material to-day nDre useful, than cretonne. It began to be popular in England last summer, and the new season increases its popularity. Probably the idea of a cretonne foundation for a ball gown would bo at first received with horror, yet such a thing has been seen, and the result was so elegant that many who saw it became eager to get one too. Tho effect was that of beautiftd chine silk, for- the deficiencies of _ the material were softened by a layer of chiffon that canio between the cretonne, and tho ovor-dress of net. Of course, ?. >rc?.t deal depends upon. the. cretonne. It must bo of medium quality—tho• expensive ones, are too heavy and the cheap ones crush too quickly —and tho pattern ought to bo a fairly small one, with cay flowers. Clusters of bright pink roses and blue ribbon .on a, cream ground make a lovely foundation to be corOTcd over by a Ml "net. skirt, with two or throe rows of w.tin ribbon at foot. Another use for cretonne' is in the fashionable waistcoat of tho hour, especially for tho ■ crossover variety of the Directoire period. This material is even preferred to chine silk, and as the nowost way to wear a caat i> open, a gay waistcoat, cut rn&or low, ana a cravat with Directoire rnSles are indispensable. Waistcoats «f any kind, are smart, but nothing is f.uito so chic as those of cretorino. Then, again, cretonne hats aro having a tromendons vogue in tho early - spring _in London and Paris, and the newest trimming consists" of big bows and choux of cretonne, voiled with'tulle. The popular "Charlotte" sliapo is oftirn made of cretonne, and the crown is veiled with black tulle for preference! Some of tho rosettes are unveiled, and consist of frills of cretonne, odsied with narrow dyed straw. These are piled upon liats, which are immensely admired on all sides. This freakish millinery has ousted ribbon from its pride of'place,, and oven sunshades of the printed cotton are preferred to those of silk. |