Ladles' Column. [Edited by "Clio."]

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 66, 14 September 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ladles' Column. [Edited by "Clio."]

The Editress will be glad to answer any questions pertaining to fashions ot cookery. FASHION NOTES. There is a positive plethora of blouses and shirts in the land, and, as a feather is capable of showing tho way of the wind, we are safe in conjecturing that this comfortable garb will be more than ever worn during the coming season. Even our little ones, hitherto relegated to the costume complete of one material, will this year be permitted to don shirt and blouse, and this with increased comfort to themselves. The mother who cannot find time to fashion a costums of this description must bo harassed indeed, but I am optimist enough to think there are very few such. The cool cambric blouse with thrown-baok sailor collar and cuffs will, it is said, be as popular this year as it was last. They are so easy and inexpensive to make, and wash and get up so well, that their success is based on consistency and common sense as well as daintiness, and there is no denying that theso blouses are most dainty. And there is a French muslin called plesse which is being fabhioned into these blouses, and hoks exceptionally well. There are several designs, but perhaps the most popular is the one with waist lining in two pieces, and material back fulled at the waist only, whearas the front is eased into both collar and waist. The sailor collar is frequently made of the material doubled, but no stiffening or interlining is used, as the collar is supposed to fall quite soft. The top edge of the lace should be sandwiched in between the two, and all stitohed together on the wrong side, and turned. A narrowband fits the neck, on which the collar is mounted. The sleeves are a full bishop shape cut iv one piece; and mounted on to shaped lining in two parts, a deep-shaped cuff meeting the fulness midway between the elbow and wrist. Quantity of thirtyinch cambric, four yards ; lace, four yards. Useful Dress Details. — Small cakes of carbon are the best preventives of moth in fur. The newest veil has a wide mesh, and is spotted with chenille. Alpaca will be much worn this year, also embroidered cashmeres. To modernise a last year's hat insert a puffed crown of satin sparkling with paillettes. Spring tweed gowns should all be bound at the skirt edge with Cordelia leather binding. The harmonious combination of violet and petunia still remains iv high favour. Hydrangea blossom is much used in millinery circles. Kid gloves wiU be more worn than suede during the first part of the year. White chamois gloves are to be very fashionable. Hyacinth is tho colour of the year, after which comes a pale green and cornflower blue. The new en-tout-cas have peculiarly thin handles. Next to silk, silcot makes the bestskirt lining. Capes are very fashionable, and elaborate — such, of course, for best wear ; but as I know my readers appreciate something really useful, I am giving an economical suggestion with regard to these mantles. Most of us, I suppose, own a golf cape, as they are called, of either dark brown, dark green, or black cloth, and I would suggest that, in order to bring this up to date, a yoke and roU collar of velvet should be added, so as to make the mantle sufficiently smart for immediate wear. Round the edges of this yoke I advise a band of ostrich or cogue's feather trimming, when the result will be a very dainty and useful cape. Another idea is that of using a half-worn or discarded skirt, ulster, or long cloak to cut up and fashion in this manner. Often a tweed or cloth skirt is perfectly good, but we are perhaps tired of it, and wish to invest in a new one of pretty coarse crepon, but fear of extravagance— as a cape ia what we need— deters us from so doing. Here, then, is our opportunity. Turn the offending skirt into the cape I suggest, and then proceed to spend your money on the coveted crepon with a clear conscience.