OF INTEREST TO WOMEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 February 1929, Page 3

OF INTEREST TO WOMEN

A SMART APPEARANCE A smart and neat appearance depends to a great extent on the way clothes arc treated. A woman who spends a large sum of money on her clothes, hut flits them on badly and rarely gives them attention, will not look nearly as smart as a woman who has a far smaller amount of money to devote to dress, hut who looks after them well. The business woman and the busy housewife have very little time to spare, and the details of pressing and mending, constant brushing and cleaning, arc forgotten in the daily rush. Every woman should, however, make it a practice to devote a few hours regularly every week to the care of her clothes. In this way they will not only last far longer, but they will look much nicer. A tired-looking, coat, or a suit that is becoming shapeless, will be quite renewed if it is thoroughly brushed and shaken, its stains removed with ammonia or benzine, and then, after it has spent a few hours in the open air, it is well pressed. Hats are often neglected. Vet a thorough brushing, a cleansing with a clean rag dipped in petrol, a stitch or, two in head lining or bow, a new ribbon or hat ornament, ‘will often work wonders. The lining of coats should be renewed and cleaned as soon as they became at all worn or spiled. If tiny holes in gloves, frocks, and underclothes are repaired at once, a great deal of time is saved. Furs land coat collars are other things that require periodical attention. If one can, one should wash gloves, stockings, jumpers, lingerie, etc., as soon as they are soiled, and iron well everything needing ironing. Corsets must he given frequent attention, and. it is well to have at least two in regular use. It is also advisable to have two or three pairs of shoes for general wear, so that one pair is not subjected, to too much work. Always keep shoes on trees wliep they are not on the feet. Coats and dresses should be hung on ,coat-hangers, and skirts belonging to a ■ street suit should never be worn indoors. If a woman is really too busy to give her clothes this attention, she would find it would pay her. to send her things to one of the valet services •or dry cleaning agencies which specialise in cleaning garments quickly and cheaply.

HOW TO BE SLIM THOUGH MIDDLE-AGED

Many middle-aged women are very worried over the slightest increase in their weight. If all her life a woman has eaten what pleased her, and taken vei'y little exercise, she will naturally become stouter as she grows older. In such a case, any sudden violent exercise ibid strict dieting must, of course, be avoided, but gradually she must cut out sweets and sugar and starchy foods from her menu, and start taking brisk walks every day. At first she may be able to walk only half a mile without getting tired, but if she perseveres she will be able to walk longer distances Without discomfort. The ideal is a daily walk of at least four miles. There is nothing {better than exercise for keeping one slim, and walking is the finest of all exercise The average woman spends far too much time indoors. Her health and her figure would benefit if she could take a good two miles’ walk every morning, and another in the afternoon. When this is not possible ■exercise must be taken in other ways. The business woman may find it possible to get up an hour earlier and take a short, sharp walk before breakfast after an early cup of tea. Or she may be able to walk part of the way to and from her work and take a walk at lunch time. Golf is excellent, but it must not be played too strenuously at first by those unused to exercise. Then there are various exercises one can do in one’s bedroom early in the morning. Dieting is important, but care must be paid to see that sufficient nourishment is taken. A starvation diet will result in ruined health and looks, bad tempers, and disordered nerves. One '■can cut out of the daily diet white ■bread, pastry, rich cakes and puddings, chocolates, sugar, and fat-forming meat and fisli, without suffering any ill effects; if lean meat, light fish —steamed or baked, not fried—poultry, eggs, cheese, green vegetables, salads, wholemeal bread and biscuits, and an abundance of fresh fruit are substituted. Oranges and lemons are exceedingly beneficial, and several glasses of water, hot or cold, should be taken every day, between meals. The juice of a lemon added to a glass of water, and taken first thing m the morning and last thing at night, is good for the health and the figure.

CLOTHES FOR THE HOUSE

The woman who does her own housework is sometimes puzzled what to wear in the house. Naturally she wants to look trim and fresh, but it is difficult when dirty tasks such as cleaning grates, carrying in coal and scrubbing floors, have to be done. Perhaps the best solution of the problem is to wear an old, hut neat, jumper and skirt or plain frock in the mornings. The skirt should he short, and the sleeves easily rolled up. Over this she can wear overalls, and it is a good plan to have two in use —one in stout dark material for very dirty work, the other in lighter, prettier material—for bed-making, dusting, and similar jobs. For the rougher tasks a protefting apron of thick material,. a dusting-cap, and gloves should he worn. Rubber aprons are useful when one is washing clothes or dishes, and rubber gloves may he donned for peeling potatoes, etc. Very neat and serviceable shoes and stockings should he worn, and particular care should he taken to keep the hair tidy and the bauds in good condition. As soon as the dirty work is done one may change into a pretty afternoon frock, hut as even getting the tea or putting coal on the fire may soil a dress, it is well to have a protecting overall handy to slip on when necessary. The material of which the afternoon frock is made will, of course, vary according to taste, hut a hard-wearing material, made in a practical style is the best choice. Another suggestion is a jumper suit m woollen stockinet, or a combination of stockinet and tweed, or a tailored coat-frock in gabardine or cliarmclaine.

Pillows soon lose their shape when feathers start to escape from the ticking. To prevent this, rub the tick thoroughly with a piece of warmed beeswax. This will make it quite feather proof.