BACKS AND FROCKS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1933, Page 9

BACKS AND FROCKS.

AN AMUSING CRITIC. A quaint criticism of the present fashions in frocks appears in The Queen" and is written by ‘‘Jane London." She says:—“Who, 1 wonder started the idea that a backless dress is pretty, graceful,, or decent? Me can leave decency out of it altogether, for there seems no fixed rule tor what is or is not decent, and the decision varies with the age and upbringing of the critics. . “But is it pretty, and is it graceful to show a thin, bony back to an amused or disgusted world? I may be prudish, and I may not know beauty when I see it (said she. with mock modesty!) but when I look at the distressing sights in restaurants or in private houses I wonder if the wearers of the frocks cut down to the waist at the back and scooped out under the arms, ever read some lines by one of my favourite poets, Emily Dickinson, the shy American, who is little known in England. I quote from memory and am therefore open to correction: — A charm invests the face Imperfectly beheld, The lady does not lift her veil For fear it be dispelled. “The idea being that knowledge may disperse the charm that is satisfied by imagination. Are we still getting the reactions of the crinoline and the careful wrappings of another age? Or is thei’2 any method in this madness. But' perhaps you—in places far a-way from London do not see these sights. My congitatters. You are spared a good deal.’-’ “CRUDE LOVERS.” The Rev. A. Herbert Gray declared, in a luncheon hour address recently, at Wesley's Chapel. London, that to achieve a successful marriage demanded all a man's best powers. Affinity was essential. “It is all-important that you should learn the art of making love—l am certain that on the whole English husbands are very awkward and crude lovers.”

SHORT HAIR BEST. Short hair is to remain. That is tho verdict of the hairdressers recently assembled in conference at Prague (states a correspondent). Hairdressers of 24 nations compared notes and debated coiffures. Not a single representative was able to report any desire on the part of women to revert to the wearing of long hair. The modern woman simply will not be burdened with long and troublesome tresses. Moreover, post-war experience has proved that, paradoxically enough, the wearing of short hair makes for a greater diversity of styles and more artistic hairdressing than the old-fashioned coiffures based upon long hair. During the autumn and winter, the shingle will predominate, but that is not to say that bobbed hair will not be worn. On the contrary, the bob has found a permanent niche in modern hairdressing, for the simple reason that it suits a number of women better than any other style. PAROA W.l. Tho Paroa Women’s Institute held their monthly meeting in the local hall on Friday. There was a good atliiidancc. Five new members were elected. The competition, something nirnlo from one yard of cretonne, was very good, a hat and pair of mocassins Lying with a sewing set for first place. The roll call. “A Scotch Yarn,” caused much amusement. On Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Tillyshort (Greyniouth) demonstrated a decorated iced cake, which was greatly appreciated. A hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Tillyshort concluded a pleasant afternoon.