NOTES FOR WOMEN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1737, 12 February 1921, Page 2

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

THE AUTUMN PROGRAMME OP DRESS. (From Our London Correspondent.) Speaking generally there are some new signposts of dress that mean very much in the autumn programme. Skirts arc rather longer, the waistline, 100, is longer, and long sleeves prevail, especially of the bell shape and the bishop. Having said this we may forge ahead to details, remarking en passant that this month’s fashions will afford a complete survey of the autumn modes, as useful to the maker thereof as to the renovator, who occupies a largo portion of the thoughts of the designer in these days of thrift and resource.

The colours of the autumn season of dress are as attractive as Nature’s own possessions, and in some cases a copy. Amongst the reds, rowan berry and Etruscan charm the eyes, particularly in duvetyn and velour for coat and cape materialisation. Royal blue is effective, and purple that is bright in some tones and of a soft mist shade in others will certainly appeal, and not in vain. I notice several dull greens, such as citron, lime, and lizard. The yellows are managing to maintain their summer popularity, and there are some very satisfying stone and grey tones, in self colours and mixed with autumn scarlets, purples and blues, in tweeds and homespuns. Add these to the summer list, which holds its own also, and the repertoire will be conceded an ample one. i '

Angora and monflon braiding make a novel trimming. Strips of the soft Unfitness are cut out and attached to the background of a cap, or, forming a motif, the material is appliqued to a bodice. The favourite black velvet tam-o’-shanter looks distinctive decorated in this manner. There is also a liking for Chinese and Czech embroideries, in lacquer and gipsy colourings. Leather is introduced just sparingly, and silk, metal, chenille, wool thread, stitcheries and raffia are used, too. Straight and very narrow bands of folded satin with braid work in between decorate some of the new frocks, and form a link between the casaquin and the skirt, from which it may differ in colour and fabric. At the moment there are many feather caps, made of game-bird plumage, and the autumn sporting element is seen in the extraneous trimmings allotted to ostrich plumes of the graceful lancer type. Wee feathers exquisitely golden, outline the spine of a creamy-white plume or an oval of black fronds rests upon a snowy surface.

Gold and silver dust sprinkled over ostrich tips make for variety, and already we are • almost satiated by coq plumage in natural and artificial colours.

The pull-on hats for morning wear, of felt, velvet, and mouflon, in black, white, mist-blue, and other shades both indefinite and definite, have ribbon crown-ties and cockades to trim them, whilst upon the more ceremonious model are to be found feathers, fantasies and embroideries, lovely veils and autumn flowers made of suede, gauze,,'and velvet with pearl bead and jet embellishments. Much is being done with jet in every way this autumn.

The high neck modes of to-day are Influencing 1 not only our corsages, but our coats and capes. Beginning their resuscitated career by a severity no one really thought would last, they are now much softened in character. The coat and cape ones are particu-. larly becoming when rolled close about, the neck, and, of course.-they can be worn open as well as closed, though their type is quite a change 'from the usual collar of the roll kind.