Fashion and Things Feminine.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 190, 29 July 1911, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fashion and Things Feminine.

By

IDA MELLER.

(Copyright.

THE NEW REDINGOTE DRESS

Although it will be many weeks yet I before we can cast aside furs and velvets. the time has, nevertheless, come w hen fashions for the early spring are before us. and the topic of the spring waidrobo is discussed. There are those who invariably take time by the forelock Tuid make their preparations beforehand, and they are wise in their generation, for to be in advance often moans saving money and getting the thing that is wanted, whereas those who shop in a hurry are often driven into paying dearly and making unsatisfactory purchases after all. Judging by tho glimpse of spring fashions offered by the early consignment of goods, it seems probable that fashions will remain very much as they aro at present, winter fabrics giving place, of course, to more seasonable ones but coats and skirts differing little in cut and character to those of the moment. Sleeves will remain long and severe, coats, for the. most part, will bo half-length, and skirts short as at present—those, at least, for out ! of doors —and straight-hanging.

Many of the now skirts arc made

with the deep hem that has already become a much-favoured fashion,'but those front the most exclusive firms are kept comfortably wide and are in no way tightened. The hem is not necessarily oi the same material as the rest of tho skirt, but matches it in colour, the mixture of satin and cloth being likely to be a good deal seen among si ring fashions. When tho mild weather arrives it is probable that the new redingote. dress will make a striking success, the materials that lend themselves to its making being cloth and satin. The redingote is practical as well as elegantlooking, and becomes both the slim and tin stout figure. A charming design for a redingote- < I less is given in the accompanying sketch, and might be copied in black or coloured cloth, or in black satin. A piping in black-and-white, or in any mixture preferred, runs down the scams, and the large revers-collar is faced with cloth, silk, er satin in a contrasting colour to the redingote itself, and is bordered with striped silk matching the pipings, the wrists also showing touches of striped silk. Three buttons secure the waist of the redingote. To make the latter yards of 18-inch material are needed.

A PR ETTA’ ROUSE FROCK.

The woman who cannot afford furs max - very well content herself with one of tho smart stole and muff sets of

black velvet or seal plush that are low ro much worn and will be required during the chilly days of spring. The

stoles look well with wide, straight ends heavily fringed (the muffs to correspond having also deep fringes), and are, thus treated, a pretty change from the more usual stoic with ends gathered into tasselled ornaments. It is quite u simple matter, of course, to make one of the fashionable stoles and line it with satin. Muffs are not quite so simple to make, but are, nevertheless, weir within the scope of the girl used re home-dressmaking. The envelope muff is one of the most convenient patterns, containing, as it does, a pocket for the handkerchief. If the handkerchief is carried loose inside the fashionable giant muff it is in danger of being quickly lost. It is possible, of <■our.se, to add a small pocket to the lining of a muff, and this little addition is well worth the trouble of making and adjusting 'Turning from muffs to house-dresses, a pretty idea for a gown of pale blue cashmere is given in our second sketch. The skirt illustrates the latest fancy fur slitting up the lower part and inti oducing a petticoat of broche lace or embroidery. Tn this case the iupon is of embroidered cashmere, and the hands nii the cordage and sleeves are of the "nine, outlined, like the foot of the skirt-piece, with black satin, winch uproars again at the neck of the bodice. Tho latter is cut without .shoulder seams. A twin row of buttons of black sat'n decorates the front of the bodice, and the guimne and undersleeves are of ecru lice, tho draped ceinture being of pale blue satin. Five vnnls of 4<'_.-r-h ensli.-.icrp will be required for I ni"king the dress.