MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1929, Page 7

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

ITEMS OE INTEREST

(Notes by

Marjorie)

titled shop girl. ADVENTURE IN NEW YORK. An American newspaper states that Lady Doria Lois Hope Pelham-Clinto-Hope, the elder daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, has been working for some time past as a shop girl in a large department store in New York. Lady Doria, who is 20 years of age, went to the United States in October, accompanied by her brother and, Miss Leonora Highet, and took a position at £5 a week in a fashionable shop m New York. She has been living with Miss Hfghet in a flat in Greenwich Village, New York’s “Bohemia.” Miss Highet meanwhile obtained a post with a firm of house decorators. The scheme was, apparently, largely of an unconventional nature, but the girls also had a serious desire to learn the latest American ideas with a view to ’ opening a decorating shop in London. So congenial was the life, however, that Lady Doria, it is stated, considered applying for an extension of her visitor’s passport beyond the fixed period of six months in order to prolong her stay. But one morning a customer entered the shop, stepped up to the counter, and said, “Good morning, Lady Doria!” The young “shop girl” saw that the “game was up.” She gave notice to her employers the same day and fled to Washington, where she became the guest of a prominent American society wdman. The publicity aroused by the venture has /upset the girls, and they are undecided whether or not they will continue working. JEWELLERY NOTES. Even when dressing for the country, “costume jewellery” plays an important part in the correct sartorial theme. Sports bracelets and watches are increasingly the vogue. Silver, gold and gun-metal are all considered appropriate alliances for lizard and snakeskin. The square or oblong watch looks very chic in its bracelet of lizard —grey or beige—to tone with the tweed or stockinette suit. Very effective is the newest flexible linked bracelet in gold and platinum, With neckchain en suite. A medallion to match is the approved fastening for the sports bag in beige and blue loomed leather.

Evening jewellery modes represent every sort of precious and semiprecious stone in their amazing variety. Two or three strands of aquamarines or cut crystals are extremely fashionable, while the feeling for larger jewellery is illustrated in huge corsage pieces, brooches and shoulderpins with pendant baubles.

CURLS AND WAVES. Coiffure is of increasing importance in all sartorial schemes. M. de Coiffeur supplies skilful little “extras” to place across the back of the head, covering the nape of the neck. There are also “ear” curls, and very attractive short curls worn closely at the back when the hair is not wrapped across. The tiny chignon is the recognised thing for evening wear, and makes a satisfying change for the bobbed and shingled—the latter being now in the conspicuous minority. Bobbing is the general rule; and in all cases the hair is worn longer. WOMEN INVENTORS. Despite the great part women have taken in helping to swell this year s number of inventions, a London daily representative was told that they have flatly refused to invent anything that would be useful in domestic work. Improvements in gramophones, new parts for wireless sets, and gadgets for the motor-car, if you like, but anything that would help them at home—certainly not! “There have been roughly thirtyeight thousand patents applied for this year,” said Mr George Rayner of the well-known London firm of patent agents* “Although one would hardly credit it, it is a fact that not one of the large number applied for by women can be termed of exclusive feminine interest.

“Not even a new* frying pan or another knitting needle, not a new corset has been invented —or, at least, its patent has not been applied for this year. It is surprising. They seem to want to get away from affairs of the home as much as possible.

“Suggest that they should invent a new type of saucepan or egg-cup, and they will turn up their nose - and sniff.” Sunburn is as fashionable abroad as it is here in New Zealand, and the smart woman who has not been able to acquire a real coat of tan can repair the deficiency with artificial powders and creams, which give the skin the desired bronzed tint. These cosmetics to simulate sunburn are having quite a large sale in Europe and America, where to be really well sunburnt is to have a claim to smartness. One reason for this desire for brown skin is the great popularity of white for both day and evening wear. The fashion first began because women who had been sun-baking on the Lido or at the Riviera and at other fashionable resorts found that white satin was most becoming to sunburnt skin, and so the craze for white satin evening frocks began. To keep up with it, women who had not been sunburnt were obliged to pretend they were, and this created the o demand for creams and powders giving the sunburned effect.

'IT A," ! T. 1 » *?■ A h A { THROUGH FASHION’S MIRROR. HOMESPUNS AND TWEEDS. (By Diana Dane.) A certain well-known designer, who caters for women of average means as well as for wealthier- clients, has expressed the opinion that honey-beige is the most useful colour in the world! It is certainly a charming shade and, what is more important, it will “go” with anything. Take a scrap of crepe in this -tint and put it side by side with any gown in your wardrobe; al-, most invariably you will find that it “tones in” admirably and, moreover, lands a note of richness to sober, everyday colours. First introduced by a French designer in the form of a fairy-like tulle dance frock, honey-beige is gradually making its way into every section of the wardrobe. . It plays its role in the lingerie cupboard, too, many of the daintiest “sets” in fine hemstitched handkerchief lawn, which are regarded as the essence of good taste by those who are competent to judge, being produced in this shade. Practical shirting-silk frocks are gaily striped in many colours on a honey-beige ground instead of a white one —a fact which makes for reduction in laundry bills. On printed crepe de chine models, the small design is often carried out in honey-beige on a black or a navy-blue ground. Try the effect of a honey-beige crepe de chine waistcoat with your navy tailored suit, or with a brown one, or with the fashionable dark grey coat and skirt. The result will be equally good in each case, and a comfortable, welldressed feeling will accompany you on your journeys. I saw a printed chiffon evening frock in a certain collection recently, and, although I think printed chiffon has been rather overdone and has almost had its day, I could not help admiring the exquisite colours introduced into the pattern. Slender trails of flowers and clusters of leaves, in honey-beige, various soft rose shades and dull green on a white background, provided an introguing harmony . in which La Pompadour herself might have delighted. But, unlike the gowns of Pompadour’s day, this little model was simplicity itself, having a fitting bodice dipping low over the shoulders and a full flounced skirt which did not dip anywhere! In this respect the flowered chiffon dance frock got away from the stereotyped line; the skirt, which was almost ankle length, was level all the way round. I like the light-weight homespuns which smart Englishwomen are wearing for sports. Most attractive fabrics they are, and obtainable in some very good colours. As for the British tweeds, which are now produced in tiny, brightly-coloured check designs as well as in the more orthodox patterns, there is nothing better for the odd skirt which will see you through many a month, with the aid of a careful selection of jumpers and blouses. Jumpers, by the way, are being cut longer nowadays; the Parisienne likes them three-quarter length! But, of course, only the sportswoman of slim and willowy figure will care for a clinging garment like this' to be made so long.

Diagonal stripes are favoured by sports enthusiasts. I liked very much the navy canvas-cloth skirt, pleated at the sides and in front, which was worn with a navy and yellow diagonally striped stockinette jumper, having a navy suede belt, navy bindings to pockets and V-shaped neck, and navy cuffs.

Plaid crepe de chine is fashionable in Paris. It is essentially of French chic and becomes the French girl admirably. There is every reason to suppose that it will be taken up here very shortly, and, to judge from a model gown displayed Recently, its success, as a diversion, is assured. The design was carried out in shades of brown, green and blue—delightfully subdued shades, all of them, so there was no suggestion of overdoing the colour note. A three-tiered skirt joined a fitting bodice at the higher waistline which was marked by a grosgrain belt in the same dull blue shade as that in the pattern. The bodice was simply finished at the oval neck with a deep self binding and at the cuffs of the long sleeves with small self bows. A string of rhinestones and dull beads lent the “just right” finish, and proved the value of inexpensive jewellery as a set-off to a particular toilette.

NOVEL IDEA. A CHILDREN’S THEATRE. A theatre for young folk, providing dramatic fare that appeals to, children, has been started in London by Miss Joan Luxton, an Australian by birth, who is a young actress only 24 years of age. Miss Luxton has been acting ever since she was 15, and when she arrived in England she studied at the Academy of Dramatic Art on Gower Street, and after touring in several plays she also acted in London at the Everyman and the Apollo. But it is as the founder, manager and one of the principal performers of the Children’s Theatre that Miss Luxton has thus early come to be regarded as a real theatrical fairy godmother, says an article in the London Morning Post. No sooner had the idea occurred to the young actress than she set to work, with a strong band of personal friends and helpers to carry it out. A “backer” was secured, and a vacant shop in Endell Street was quickly transformed into an excellent little theatre. Although it is unique in being the smallest theatre in England to be licensed by the Lord Chamberlain and the London County Council it is, nevertheless, perfectly equipped with propel’ stage lighting, real footlights, scenery, curtains, etc, and comfortable tip-up seats are just right for small occupiers. There is even a miniaturp box-office, where children may go and book their own seats —the price of which varies from 3d to Is 2d for small folk.