Belinda’s Letter

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 30 September 1933, Page 13

Belinda’s Letter

Dearest Betsie, —It seems to be fairly safe to say that you can’t keep a good fashion down. When something appears that women feel is more chic and charming and practical and comfortable than anything else could be, they will not be parted from it, in a hurry. Aijiong these favoured fashions we must "now reckon the beret, born 1930 and still going all the stronger because it has refused to be ousted by the stocking caps, etc., and has adapted itself to changes in the mode. See it as it was at first, plain and round, and worn on the very back of the head. Next it slipped round and clung precariously to the side, with a devastating chic. Its final version is the opposite of its first: it is almost level on the head, pokes up at the back, juts out in front, and is sophisticated rather than casual in character.

Once again the poor pig is in terror of its life. Not content with pork and bacon and hairbrush bristles, the acquisitive human being has suddenly decided to make pig-skin fashionable, not only for men’s gloves and suitcases, but also, for all accessories for feminine sports attire. The pitted markings somehow belong to an era in which most materials mjanaige some kind of subtle surface interest. Actually it is a very supple leather in a pale creamy white, creamy or beige background that is used for at least one room in every modern home "You can have it made up at most of the saddler’s shops into large blotters—or a complete clesk-set. It is also used to make all kinds of cigarette cases and pocket-books and efficient little note-cases which are especially designed to hold our sizes of paper

LEATHER-WORK IN FASHION.

; money. 1 suppOae there are few possessions which give such a thrill to a good housewife as a well-stocked and beautifully arrayed linen cupboard. Narrow pleated frills in chintz or polka dot cretonne look charming as an edge to the shelves, and matching bands may be made to fasten the different piles of sheets and towels. Big fiat satchels of organdie, filled with lavender, placed amongst the linen, give it such a- delightful fragrance and make the first glimpse of your linen cupboard so very impressive. I There is probably more hesitation over the choice of curtains than over anything else in the house. One may plan to let them be a continuation of the wall colour, but later change one » mind to let them repeat the colour notes of the carpet! Some people think | —and rightly so. too, 1 consider—that !a unnorm appearance should be kept j from the outside. Whatever your I choice of curtains, this may be ae- ! quired by having them lined with 1 natural or beige. | A view that is really lovely should not be hidden by screening curtains, but these, when of net or muslin, are invaluable to hide an aspect that is grimy or cheerless. A large-patterned fabric is not for a small or low room, and in a badly proportioned one it is best to keep the curtains above the sill and well inside the window frame. But whatever your colour scheme or .material, your curtains must be clean and fresh looking. Olnly materials which stand repeated washing or dry-cleaning should be considered. Yours ever, dearest Betsie, BELINDA. Wellington, September 28. 1931.