Page 14 Advertisements Column 3

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 14

MODES OF THE MOMENT Passing Notes by Jane Wellington; October 13. Dea WhenevOT I find myself regarding a herbacious border that is in reality a groflp of girls in any ballroom, I give thanks for modern fashions, fabrics, the colours the science of chemistry has made possible and the return to curves where angles were the rule. Clothes nowadays are as lovely as th 6 Fashion ffiYn extraordinary thing; the conquering hero of civilisation, who saves us from the trouble of independent thought. But more than that, as Holbrook Jackson, the great London authority, says, it controls the thoughts, habits and emotions of democracy. For its, special importance Iks in the fact that the business life of any country is swayed by it; sway ed, by the change of fashion. There is nothing so dead as a past style whose swift run of popularity made it universal for the time being. We have onlv to remember bowler hats, and the recent revival of the feather-boa. And fashion does not only govern the realm of clothes, but embraces all the works of man. Evolution, progress-call it what you willfashion is as good a word for tfhe stages of the journey as any other. This season cotton stands first as a smart material, the shirt-waist or blouse-dress, as a smart style. At the moment it is impossible to conceive of a time when these lovely fabrics, to which we have so /utterly lost oui hearts will be rejected with an equal measure of contempt. In case of such a dire happening, let us seize the opportunity while it is here, and make all possible use of the goods the gods and the manufacturers have bestowed One especially interesting point that will recommend cotton to older women is that, with the now dress designs, it will be possible for them to be both cool and 'suitably clad in the warm weather that is just round the corner Some sensible, elderly mind has been at work, and produced thcvogue for little capes, and jackets of three-eighths length, not too flyaway for decorum, adding just that necessary touch of seemliness to lighter fabrics that makes them right for mothers, aunts and grannies. For instance, a gingham plaid In navy, lighter blue, and white; or an all-over small, dark floral pattern on tobralco or lawn, could be made on straight lines with a skirt whose gores either finished in inverted pleats, or carried a pleated flounce from below the knees. Long sleeves, of course, and a neck finished with a trim white organdie tie or pleated jabot. To go abroad in this little morning frock, a cape hanging to the elbows, or a straight sleeveless jacket, would add all the dignity required by age. A small straw hat of the darkest shade in the print, and of a modified sailor shape with the crown of not so hard and flat a line as those the younger women wear, would finish a most useful and attractive outfit. If the cape gives too voluminous an appearance to a figure not as slim about’ the hips as it< was wont to be, the jacket is absolutely safe, and just as fashionable. For the young who play games the plain, sleeveless (sometimes backless) sports frocks are as charming as the ingenuity of the people whose job it is to match the fabric to the design, and both to the requirements of the wearer, can make them. There is a tentative experimenting in shorts down here. They must be very well made, and look like short, trim tailored skirts, except when in active . jvement, vr they are sloppy and most unbecoming. Of their comfort for tennis or Badminton there can be no question. Shirts of the mannish, tailored variety, with collars and ties en suite, are the best of wear for golf, with plain tweed skirts and’hats to match. But that’s not cotton, is it? I must go before I wander farther. With love. Yours, JANE.