LADIES' COLUMN

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 48, 24 February 1917, Page 11

LADIES' COLUMN

FASHION NOTES

It is not necessary to spend much money on clothes to keep dainty and attractive; it is the little accessories which help in this. One's costume may be quite out of date, but if it is carefully brushed every night and pressed and cleaned now and then it still passes muster. A fresh blouse is all the fresher and smarter for dainty collars andcuifs; these are not expensive even now, and since laundry rates have risen they can easily be washed and ironed at home.

Oriental colourings have never been used to greater advantage than at the present time. It was a happy thought on the part of the designer to introdnce them as trimming for the much-worn navy serge. Worked on to a belt, Oriental coloured silks make for an uncommon and striking effect. They also make a_ charming aid to the complexion when introduced into the collar of a blouse.

New ways with veils abound. Upon a toque seen recently there was a black veil with a broad border o£ chestnutcoloured soutache, the sole trimming the toque possessed, and used as such, for the embroidery covered the crown of the model, as in another happened with m grey veil heavily bordered with silver floss darning stitch. A third had an almost invisible veil, so fine was it, arranged round the brim of the turban and drawn into a very wide velvet choker, which was fastened round the neck with snaps. This very changeable ■weather makes the question, of summer coats and skirts most important, for, however dainty the pretty new muslin and voile one-piece frocks are, and however fascinating the more fashionable and decorative crepe de chine and lacy garments worn at the present moment, the fact remains that there are days when the tailor-made summer suit, is in great request fashioned in silk or fine summer gabardine, lightweight cloth, or serge. There is also a thin cording cloth in white and. black or pale shades of tan, white linens, piques. Fuji silks are among the very lightweight materials. Nothing shows a greater diversity of taste than the smart summer tailor suit. The cult of the coat is the fad of the moment. One may notice the waistless effect in some models, in others the "snipped-in" waistline boasting a full flaring basque. This fashion may be exaggerated or modified, according to the taste of the wearer. Some coats are severely plain; in other instances there is quite a lavish display, of trimming, ranging from beading, strappings in silk, or sheeny patent kid, to frilled and ornament the basque in some cases. The full short skirt still appears the favoured, but later on fashion is threatening us .with somewhat longer skirts, and not quite so full—the evening garment actually showing a train. The full flare from the hip line will no longer flare, but be folded, into flat pleats and tucks. . The tailored travelling suit is also coming in for a certain amount of attention. Some of the newest types are shorter over the hips than travelling coats have been for some time past. There is quite a distinction between a tailored suit, for every-day •wear and travelling purposes.