Fashion and Things Feminine.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 52, 11 February 1911, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fashion and Things Feminine.

By

IDA MELLER.

(Copyright.

MUSLIN FROCKS.

It needs discretion in dress matters to steer clear of the many mistakes that are made by the ultra-smart and those who rush at a fashion simply because it is new; and especially must the petite woman be warned against adopting the skirt cut verj' short, and gathered in about the ankles, for this is the skirt that “cuts’ the figure unbecomingly, more particularly when a flounce replaces the deep hem at the foot and the skirt, in consequence, loses the characteristic straight outline that has been so charming a feature of recent fashions. The season of muslins is usually a short one. and must be made the most of while the opportunity lasts. Muslins of the daintiest are now exercising a potent, influence over the dress world, and those flowered in pale blues anil rniiuves are among the favourites, and are made up with waist-bands of soft satin and further touches here and there of the same.

Tlie white muslin dress Is, as usual, a conspicudus feature of summer fashions, lint preference seems to be given this season to coloured floral-patterned muslins, and certainly there is excuse for selecting these lovely stufle, for. never were flowered muslins prettier than they are to-day, and they arc, moreover, surprisingly’ cheap, while :>*- ing of good quality that will bear tn« test of the laundry over and over again. The muslin dress sketched is made of plain and tucked material, and is carried out in pale pink. 'The underskirt is of plain muslin, and this is supplemented by a tunic, ovei-skirt made chiefly' of tucked muslin, the cen-tre-front and a deep band running round the tunic being of the plain material. while an insertion trimming of coarse lace is effectively used both on the overskirt and the bodice. The hitter is all of the tucked material, and is made with a yoke cut in one with the tops of the sleeves. A waist-band of pale pink satin completes the dress, and the charming hat worn is of Tuscan straw trimmed with pink La France roses. For the dress, about eight yards of double width muslin and nine yards of insertion are required. KEEPING COOL IN SUMMER. Keeping eoo! in mimmer, or under any circumstances in life, is, according to a well-known medical man, a matter of skin regulation chiefly. “We fan ourselves when warm in order to cause evaporation from our skin to proceed more quickly, and to produce its cooling effect. In the same way, by blowing on some scent which has been placed en the forehead, we make the volatile spirit and essence evanorate rapidly, wjth the result of producing a refreshing coolnens in cases of headache or fatigue. Clearly tlxin, a great deal of one's jiersonal success in keeping cool in hot weather will depend unon the free mid healthy action of the skill. The action can only be attained perfectly by our paying close attention jo our general health.” Exercise in hot weather should be gentle, and those easily up*et by heat should remain indoors, 'f possible, during the hotte=t part of th" dav. RIBBON-TRIMMED HATS. The most interesting feature of hate fust now is the beautiful, bold outline that characterises the larger models, whether built with straight or Sharply upturned brims. It is’ outline more than trimming that counts in milliji-

cry, and that should be regarded as of primary importance. Very little trimming will suffice the hat of striking, high-class shape, but if the outline is

bad no amount of pretty garniture will make a hat a success. A picturesque fashion that prevails al the moment is the shepherdess hat of Leghorn and other soft straw, trimmed w’ith roses or ribbons, and suiting especially well the face of ora! shape ; and another model that may be singled cut as among fashion’s special favourites is the somewhat daring hat with turned up brim standing as high as tho crown itself, and caught back in front W’ith a buckle or other ornament. Exaggerated editions of the well-known Robin Hood hat are also in the front rank of fashion. Huge bows of wide ribbon are among the latest ideas for hats, and have the merit of simplicity. The hat of black straw sketched shows a new way of arranging ribbon' bow’s, these being very large, and posed so that they cover the crown of the hat. Ribbon in a bright shade of royal blue looks very well on black straw. The big ruffle of black spotted net illustrated is typical of a favourite fashion, that is carried out also in tulle The ruffle is finished at the left side with black satin ribbon with knotted ends.