LADIES' COLUMN

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 86, 9 October 1915, Page 11

LADIES' COLUMN

FASHION NOTES A writer in a Sydney paper gives some interesting fashion notes : — We have returned to a great extent to the early Victorian era, when full skirts and tiny hats were the mode. Some of the hats already seen are about as large as the proverbial pork-pie, while skirts now measure several yards about the hems. Where, however, there is more than one skirt, the under one of all is usually fairly narrow, as a sort of foundation; but each one increases in volume as it reaches the waist. The idea of using two colours and two different materials is particularly noticeable. Then, again, you may have odd sleeves with good results. A striped underdress looks well with a plain tunic and sleeveless bodice. Sleeves, in some cases, are rather tight, and are long enough to fall nearly over the hand. The detachable collars, which may be bought for about half a crown, will be found most useful, and with these the usual blouse will not be necessary. They consist of an upstanding collar, either to turn down over a low one or to stand up against one of the high order, and a short yoke ending in two points to meet on the chest. These are easily fixed in position, and are no trouble to change when soiled. I like_ those best which are carried out in plain lawn with just a little embroidery at the fronts. These wash and do up so nicely, as there is nothing to get out of order. Most of the shops stock them in a great variety of styles. The fashion of- scolloping has extended to the sleeves. The newest widen out towards the base, and come midway between elbow and wrist. This is a revival of the "bell" sleeve of many years ago. To match such sleeves the lower parts of the little coats they accompany should also be scolloped. On the coats of the thin navy serge which is so popular just now fine soutache is used in hieroglyphic form. This serge makes up info capital in-between dresses, one of which is always a necessity for uncertain days. The fashion of finishing off hems with scollops means that there is less thickness, and therefore less warmth. The skirt which is gathered into the waist without any goring is known as the "bonne femme." This is a fashion which will suit only the particularly slight woman. Such skirts, trimmed with narrow kiltings or with crossway bands, are considered as being very new, while in reality they are as old as the hills. The high collar-bands do not, fortunately, extend the whole way round the neck, the hiatus at the front allowing the wearer to be comparatively cool even in summer weather. On the fronts of blouses net frills and jabots may be seen. The toby frill of soft net makes a very becomice finish to both silks and muslins. ThesX may either be made by hand, or they may be bought all ready to sew into position. As for the styles of hats, their name .v legion. I recently wrote of the cretonne hat, which will be found a dainty accompaniment to a floral muslin or voile, and now I want to bring before you an idea to remodel a small one to do duty for the hot weather. I thought it 6uch a good scheme to lay the hat on a piece of buckram, and cut an extra brim about one and a half inch in depth. This brim might then be wired at both edges, covered with pretty cretonne, and then placed in position on the edge of the hat. The effect should be quite good. Unless a parasol be carried, a wide hat is a necessity. Women with clever fingers oan remodel some of last year's things with very little trouble. In view of the fact that there is so little money to spend on one's personal adornment, it really, is necessary to try to do over something from last year. Those frocks which were made up late in the season are quite worth renovating. And much may be done with a few yards of extra material which harmonises in tone.' Surely the idea of using two materials must have been evolved so that the frocks from last y-sar could be made to do duty again this one. Striped dresses bound up with plain look very smart, especially when a plain belt of the swathed order and a wide collar to match are added. Again, delightfully pretty are a, turnover collar and vest of flowered brocaded silk. They lighten a dark frock wonderfully.