WOMAN'S WORLD IN LONDON

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3713, 5 October 1926, Page 7

WOMAN'S WORLD IN LONDON

The garden party at Buckingham Palace and several other smart dances have wound up one of the longest London seasons on record. No one can complain that it wasn’t gay and very festive, in spite of strikes and financial loss to the country. Caterers have been extremely busy, also dressmakers, so some people reaped a harvest. r l he Royal garden party was a big affair, and, though it was estimated that a larger crowd of guests was present, it did not appear to he a greater throng than in past years. The day was fine but rather chilly, and 1 noticed very few took a turn in the boats on the great lake, where the King’s watermen. in their picturesque garb, were waiting to row ibe guests about. The scene was full of dazzling interest and tlic gardens themselves lovely; and really you might be in the heart of the country, so quiet are the grounds in their sylvan beauty. It was-a brilliant throng who greeted their Majesties; every known color, bright and subdued, was massed in the company, and frocks were charming, and big hats so extraordinarily becoming I could not help wishing It was always summer. Cots of long fur-trimmed coals of thin materials were worn, for at times there was a high wind, and the sun was not very generous with his rays. The Queen was a dignified and very handsome figure in soft white georgette liberally embroidered with a pattern ol drops and loops of pearls. She wore a long georgette coat enhanced with white Inr, which, 1 must tell you, is to be the rage abroad this winter for Cairo and such warm spots. A white hat was edged with black and set up in front with aigrettes. She wore a tight rope ol pearls and long loose ones round her neck and large pearl earrings surrounded with diamonds. A white lacy parasol was also carried, but the Queen found it unnecessary to open it. Princess Mary was very smart in palest grey, with one ot the big pretty hats she so delights in, and the Duchess of York was a smiling, radiant figure in the loveliest shade of wild rose pink georgette you can imagine. Shejvore one of those shady hats which suit her so well of pink crinoline straw daintily trimmed with flowers and adorned in front (in the prevailing fashion) with a plaque of rubies and diamonds. The Duchess also wore beautiful pearls and a stole wrap of ermine edged with the tails as fringe. The Duke ol York and Prince Henry were both present and lots of other Royalties. Princess Patricia looking charming in a printed chiffon frock. The Prince of Wales was busy doing a round of visits, laying stones and inspecting people and places in the isle ot Wight and elsewhere, so he was too busy to attend, much to the disappointment of many people.

A WONDERFUL PJCTUBE. The brilliant durbar canopy, which yon may remember was used at the Delhi durbar and presented to King Edward, was used, with its gleaming silver poles and silken draperies; and great clumps of pink carnations and foliage were set all round. Then there was delightful music from the Guards Band; and the afternoon, with its delicious refreshments, teas, ices, irnits, and cream, and other attractive viands, was really charming, and the King and Queen so* gracious and smiling to everybody. • 1 noticed the Duke of Connaught chatting to many people, and though by no means a young man, he is taut and upright, with on elegance all his own. The Duke has never grown fat with advancing years, and his slimness gives him a youthful look. Then Princess Arthur of Connaught was ever so pretty in a shot beige and pink silk niarocain frock and big beige hat. Prince Arthur was with her. Princess Marie. Louise and her sister, Princess Helena Victoria, were both charmingly gowned, and a very interesting young lady was Princess Ingrid of Sweden, the daughter of the late Princess Margaret ol Connaught, who is staying with her grandfather, the Duke of Connaught. She is a sweet looking girl, about seventeen, and she wore a simple, dainty frock of white muslin and georgette, her pretty white bat trimmed with ribbon shaded from green to gold. The Infanta Beatrice of Spain wore silver grey satin and lace, with scarf of lace, and small hat to match. King Manuel was present and Queen Augusta V iotoria (wearing cinnamon brown shoes, with a touch of gold in her hat to match). Prince Chichibu of Japan and Prince George of Russia completed the Royalties. You see there were several foreign, ones amongst the group, and I could not help thinking how gay and happy they looked, and what a sanctuary is England for some of them. Entertaining is well understood by our King and Queen, for each went in different directions to welcome their •meats after their arrival, and they included all classes of their Majesties subjects. The Queen stopped every minutes to greet someone, and amongst the first honored was an officer and bis wife, of (lie Salvation Army. Other notables of ■ all denominations were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Moderator of the /Church of Scotland, the Chief Rabbi, 1 and prominent Nonconformist divines, | A WONDERFUL PARTY.

I One of the closing scenes of the season was the verv wonderful party given by that rich and very charming American, Mrs Corrigan. U was perhaps the mosi remarkable of its kind ever given. She turned the tables on London hostesses hv making her guests entertain her with a* cabaret instead of engaging a cabaret to entertain them. All had to do a turn of some sort. Seventy people sat down to dinner in fancy dress, and the gifts were silver mirrors lor the women and silver pencils for the men. Society girls and young married ladies all did something, and it was quite wonderful how they managed to put in l “ stunts ” of some unique sort. It was a sort of variety slum - on an amateur scale. It was a strange affair, and had originality as its prominent point, hut . it was the sort of thing that only young 1 people cared about. | ABOUT CLOTHUS i The betweeii-seasons are always difficult in the way of knowing what to l wear It is impossible to get anything 1 new as the sales arc still hanging on, ! and all the left over things have to be disposed of before the now autumn • goods make their appearance; but on 1 looking about I’ve noticed there is a. | distinct craze for a certain sort ol crochet (not.the old sort), cleverly ululating woven straw. I’ve seen what I. ! thou'dit were crochet hats, which have 1 turned out in reality to be only paper - hut so smart. How it is done is an--1 other store, lint most people would describe it as crochet. This old-world work, once considered to lie the preroga-

tivc of our maiden aunts, is enormously used for joining the seams together of the natural flannel suits which have jumped into fashion so quickly. Crochet also ornaments them, and, though light, they have a certain warmth, very useful for the between season. Irish crochet, which can be so lovely, is very fine and lacy, and 1 noticed this is em- | ployed lor the adornment of exquisite i lingerie. 1 saw a whole dress the other i day of Irish crochet, which gave the impression of the finest creamy lace. It ! was beautiful, but frantically cxpen--1 sivo. It all points to a great revival of , the art of crocheting, and there is noi thing new. When a thing is old enough I to bo forgotten, up it pops again m ! some fresh form or other, and then it is I immediately voted new! I saw rather a I good wav of freshening up, a last year s 1 jumper, say, of fine stockinette. Border j it with crepe dc chine, and make little collars and cuffs of crepe de chine, and j yon will he ever so pleased with your new garment.