Belinda’s Letter

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 December 1933, Page 13

Belinda’s Letter

Dearest Betsie, — Would you like to take a peep into the future and see what we are going to wear next autumn? To begin with, don’t be afraid of pulling your hat down and your collar up. To be sure, less or your face will be seen, but, what of that ? It will have a new. allure. Some of us will pile things on our chests, others will leave it as flat as flat, letting everything hang down their back. In the day elongate your silhouette by a streak of fur from chin to hem. And this method can be 'followed at night, too, with the. right evening coat. Under it you will wear a dress lengthened as far as it will go at the back. This brings ns to the exciting prospect of the dress with a train. One of the things you must now leam how to manoeuvre is a train (another is the gesture of flinging things back over your shoulder as the superstitious throw salt). The big dressmakers at Home have definitely set to work on a new silhouette. They have pulled in their shoulders and there will be high necks, long, smooth sleeves, flowing curved figure and fishtail trains. The neck is where the length begins. All day dresses will now be dated by their neck lines. A dress starts as soon as possible next to the chin, catches you at the throat, and leaves you gasping in so many new ways. You may have a draw string neck, a high cravat, soft flowers under the chin, a ruffled jabot, or a stand-up clerical collar.. One of the most important etcetras is going to be the “little fur piece.” Incidentally this is a very useful fashion for using up the good parts of fur coats and capes that are otherwise past use. I have just seen three well-mad© but inexpensive fur piece s that would find a dozen uses in one’s wardrobe—a straight scarf in nutria, a- .shaped collar in black seal, and a scarf with

PEEP INTO FASHIONS FUTURE,

scalloped ends in squirrel. Get a furrier to work up your old fur coat into any shaped neck" piece you prefer. A square collar that looks almost like a. yoke is one of the newest ideas of the season. It looks equally well over one of the new oollai-less, furless topcoats, or over one of the little suits with a buttoned-up-th-the-neek jacket. For smart wear over a cloth dress a fur scarf is the right finish. It can be knotted if you wish to give the bow-under-the-chin effect. With gx - ey squirrel choose grey gloves and stockings to match, and a little hat in silver grey velvet would be- charming with. it. I .always maintain that it is far easier to achieve the home you want by buying an old house and altering it than by budding a new house. One is certainly able to get far more interesting i ; esults by the former method. I have been very interested watching a woman I know who has a great sense of balance and beauty renovate what was a very ordinary type of house. By adding another rounded pane of glass to the top of each window and attaching shutters the entire exterior has been completely ..changed. Her living room is vei-y beautiful. Against delicate'grey walls pale pink curtains hang, lined in peach and draped through ivory loops. A black satin tufted sofa and blac-k Regency chairs are notes of contrast in this serenely lovely interior. The library has walls painted malachite-green, curtains of -wine-coloured velvet, and upholstery ranging in tone from beige to dark brown. . The book shelves: make a rich mosaic of colour in the background, and with its Aubusson carpet and dark woodwork this is a warm, welcoming and dignified room. Next time you visit me I must take you to see this very delightful house. Yours ever, dearest Beiasie, BELINDA.