Ladies’ Column.

Lake County Press, Issue 2348, 27 October 1910, Page 2

Ladies’ Column.

FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE.

By Miss Ida Meller

(Copyright.)

SOME EARLY SPRING FASHIONS. The shoulder-strap* in one form or another has become more and more a part of fashion’s scheme year in and year out, and though its mission proper is obviously to afford protection from chills and draughts, yet in its flimsiest aspect it is worn'for beauty rather than use, the dainty shoulder scarf of chiffon, that is ready to take the place of the fur stole when the moment arrives for putting away the latter, haying little association with the practical side of dress, though its influence on the picturesque aspect is undeniable. Even the fur shoulder-strap is worn at times with careless disregard for its primary object, and is purposely al-

lowed to slip off the shoulders and caress the elbows in an, apparently unstudied fashion, being affected, like the chiffon scarf, for a purely pictorial purpose There is no gainsaying the grace and charm of the gauze or chiffon scarf, the latest varieties of which are even prettier than those that have gone before, and introduce the most delicate tints for backgrounds, on which are printed large roses that form a border all round the scarf or adorn merely the e,nds. These frail little adjuncts of the toilette will play an important part in spring fashions, and are intended both for

day and evening wear. They are very wide and long, and are worn without shaping of any kind, or arc easily converted into capuchins by merely shortening the upper edge of the scarf at the centre of the back, ■using a fancy brooch for the purpose. Measure off about eight inches on either side of the centre-back (top edge), pin the scarf together at these points, and let the superfluous piece of gauze hang outwards, capuchin fashion, and lo! a shapely little wrap is the result. Turning to the,,., sterner side of dress, let us consider the charming princess frock sketched. It is just such a dress as most women would find useful. Our model is carried out in a lightweight quality of forester green frieze-cloth, the buttons on the bodice being covered with similar material. The skirt is pleated from just below the hips, and the pinafore bodice is quite plain across the front, the sides being gathered to the waist-band. To make the dress about 6i yards of double-width cloth or cashmere would be required.

A BELTED COSTUME. Much might be written on the tonic of belts as they appear in their newest editions, especially smart being the new belt of black patent leather, buckled with platinum and worn not only with blouse costumes but also with Russian coats of serge and cloth. These shiny leather belts are narrow and quite soft, and tailors rely on them to a great extent this season, varying the all-round belt by another that spans three-parts of the waist only, leaving the front free. A half-length coat with one such belt is of light copper-coloured cloth fitting the figure neatly, a few little pleats drawing the material to size at the waist on either side of the centre front. The belt of patent

leather passes round the back of the waist and finishes right and left of the front in mitre points, that apparently hold down the pleats' of the coat, and it should be added that the belt slopes downwards somewhat in its approach to the front. The costumes sketched shows one of the new patent leather belts with oxidised buckle. The new’ coat is modelled on Russian lines, but introduces the new diagonal front that is significant of the latest mode. The neck, cut rather low, is finished with a flat collar of embroidered muslin and small bow of velvet, and the skirt is absolutely plain. This costume is most useful in navy blue cloth or fine serge, but looks very smart in caramel frieze with a black belt and bowtie. The hat worn is of wine-coloured tagel straw, trimmed wdth roses. For the costume, six yards of 52in. ma*erial must be supplied.