BLOUSES AND PETTICOATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 20 June 1936, Page 10

BLOUSES AND PETTICOATS

ALL KINDS OF LACE

PAINTED FABRICS

Two things specially interested me in Paquin’s Spring collection—the emphasis laid on blouses as important parts of day time ensembles and the rustle of taffetas petticoats under almost all of the skirts. Black was shown a good deal, but it had such delightful touches of white or pastel colourings by way of relief that there was no suggestion of sombreness. A particularly successful outfit, in a new black crepe fabric, dull surfaced and rich looking, very charmingly and obligingly seived three different purposes. The skirt was slim and rather on the short side. The slick little jacket appeared to have three-quarters length sleeves with puffs of the finest white'linen lace at the tops—here was an uncommonly smart outfit for afternoon occasions out of doors. The sleeves of the jacket were unclipped and removed," the jacket itself was thrown open, and now we saw a desirable dress for the cocktail party, the blouse looking lovely under the sleeveless coat. Finally the coat was taken off, leaving a blouse frock which could well be worn for dinner at home or in a restaurant and could appear afterwards at any party where ordinary evening dress was unnecessary. ' Another model was equally adaptable. A black suit, with long skirt and trim jacket, seemed just the thing for a wedding or any other welldressed occasion. When the jacket was removed the skirt was accompanied by a tailored coat in black and white printed satin —this for a cocktail, cinema or restaurant party. Then the satin coat was discarded, leaving a charming all black full evening gown. While'on the subject of black backgrounds, I should mention an evening model in black satin with large shaded pink flowers painted on it. A gracious gown, the front of th£ corsage draped

high, caught on the shoulders with black “braces” which developed into floating draperies over the low, square cut back.

These painted materials were notice-' able in the collection, a much acclaimed day suit being developed in black crepe .which had white spots painted on it. A good outfit, this, for smart parties, accompanied by a graceful black hat adorned with paradise plumes. A third model was for the evening, in black, painted with large white bows. It had long, fitting sleeves, attached at the underarms only, leaving the shoulders bare and there was a looped up draped effect at the back of the skirt, in the mid Victorian manner. FLAT PLEATS Many of the walking dresses and suits had pleated skirts, the pleats stitched and press quite fiat to within a few inches of the hems. Some unusual colour schemes were noticeable, the materials being cunningly worked to create shaded effects. A model in green, blue and white printed crepe was so manipulated as to show more green than blue in the coat and more blue than green in the skirt, but the colours were made to shade so perfectly that it was difficult to tell where the one merged into the other. With this little suit was worn the most charming blouse of the collection, in my opinion. It was in soft white chiffon, shirred all over, with short sleeves finished with frills and a dainty Pierrette frill at the neckline. LURE OF LACE Lace of many kinds v/as used, for day dresses and suits and, very beautifully, for evening ensembles. For Ascot there v/as a two piece suit — dress and coat—in delphinium blue laco. The dress could well be worn in the evening after the races for it had a moderately low cut corsage and the sleeves were detachable. A model for full dress evening occasions was in black lacquered net lace over lacquered satin, high in front of the corsage and cut away at the sides' and back, where a touch of white lacquered net lace appeared. The front of the bodice was interesting, arranged to stand up past the shoulders in two pleated fan shapes. A hostess gown in black lace, simply cut and perfectly fitted, had a vivid note of relief in the form of a .broad belt made of narrow strips of red patent leather plaited together, with long streamers falling down the side of the skirt. Liven laces, wool lace embroideries on net and ninon, chenille laces —laces cl substance and laces of shadows.

One of the most successful models shown was in lace of a colour like n fairy white cloud faintly tinged with pink. A simply cut gown long, slim and graceful, with a draped sash of dull pink velvet and—here came the artistry—wide wing sleeves which trailed a little on the floor as the mannequin walked. I would like this in black with a vivid red sash, in water green with a deep green sash. 01 in honey colour with a golden brown sash.

PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT

Under every one of the evening gowns and many of the day dresses there were taffetas petticoats. You knew it because you could hear the soft frou-frou of them, and the faint

mysterious rustling gave extra charm to the models. Most materials fail in better lines over the slick, perfectly fashioned taffetas' foundations, which are regarded by the best designers as almost as important as the gowns themselves. —Diana Dane. BEAUTY TREATMENT FOR THE HANDS To get neglected hands into condition: Buy a sixpenny pot of white vaseline and empty the contents into an old jam jar. Add as much fine oatmeal as the vaseline will take and stir, with a spoon until it forms a thick paste. Use this instead of soap when washing the hands, as it is excellent for improving the skin. ■Use water that is tepid rather than hot and, however dirty, do not scrub the hands, with a nail, brush, as this leaves the skin clean but lined. If the vaseline and oatmeal mixture will not cleanse them, use a little powdered pumice stone as well: When the hands have been dried with a soft towel, massage them with a soothing jelly or lotion. A,n excellent lotion can be made by mixing equal parts of glycerine, Eau de Cologne, rose water and lemon juice. Enlarged muscles are a feature of over worked hands, and fingers which swell and stiffen in damp weather spoil the appearance of the loveliest. Massage with a ianoline cream at night will help to keep the finger joints loose and prevent the hands from looking old. Pinch the fingers from tip to base two or three times and gently work each joint. This will break up acid deposit's and'make them flexible. When each finger has been, treated in this way, apply some more cream and, pressing the 'palms firmly together, rotate them one upon the other. SLEEP IN GLOVES One night a week cover the hands with cream and sleep in gloves. Old kid 1 gloves, from which the finger tips have been cut, are excellent, but a proper pair of sleeping gloves can be bought quite inexpensively and are a good investment. The hands should be well anointed with bleaching cream cr skin food and covered with the gloves.

Every now and then give the hands a real salon .treatment.. Warm some olive oil by standing the bottle in very hot water, pour inip a bowl and immerse 'the hands forten minutes. Now massage from fingertips to wrists until all traces of oil have been absorbed. - ", ''' '

A pack comes next—a thick paste of almond meal and peroxide smoothed all over the hands. Leave on as long as possible, then rinse off with warm water. When the hands are dry, give them a final ' rub with a soothing lotion. ... ■ if:' 1 HAVE YOU TRIED? Prunes with roast mutton? Stew the prunes until tender (without sugar) and serve hot. with a joint of mutton. They make a welcome change from tliq red currant jelly or gooseberry jam usually served. Orange Salad? Peel the oranges, divide them into quarters and cut into small pieces after removing the pips. Arrange on crisp lettuce leaves and sprinkle w.ith • dessicated coconut. Serve'with mayonnaise. Tomato and Chutney? Choose tomatoes of the Same size, slice off the tops.and ,scoop out some of the pulp. Mix this with breadcrumbs and chutney (about half a teaspoonful to each tomato), .Press the mixture back into the tomatoes and serve hot or cold with lettuce. Egg Sandwiches?. When, making egg sandwiches, mix the egg with a few clrqps Of. hmyonnaise to give an added piquancy. Nettles as a Vegetable? Cooked and served like spinach, they are very good. They should'be gathered whilst still young and only the' new leaves Used. Wash with great care and cook like spinach. Serve very hot on toast with scrambled or poached eggs on tpp. Ginger with Apple Pudding? Pow-

dared ginger greatly improves the flavour of boiled apple pudding. It should be served in a castor and sprinkled on each portion at the table. SAY “DYE” Every year the average housewife looks a!, her stock of white linen, turns it over, decides that it would be quite wrong with her modern furnishing arrangements, sighs and puts it back “until next year.” Yet with a small expenditure on dyeing home or professional, most of the lmen might be brought into practical use. ■ White linen table cloths, for example, will usually take a good tone of apricot or apple green and can thus figure effectively on the up-to-date dinner table. White table napkins can be dyed to match the cloth. Outsize white table cloths, such as belonged to the tables of Victorian days, can be dyed and used as bed spreads. Small white tray cloths and mats can be dyed to match for the dressing table. White afternoon tea cloths look cold and uninteresting in modern surroundings and are much improved if tinted a warm coffee colour. COLOUR COMES* BACK Other varieties of dyeing can be applied to various discoloured accessories about the home. A hearth that has grown dingy can be dyed to a rich shade by the application of a thickish paste made from a square of laundry blue. Front steps can be given a warm reddislj hue by the use of red ochre. Bricks round the hearth can be restored to their pristine colour with, a suitable colour wash. Shabby leather can be re-dyed by means of a special liquid preparation sold for the purpose.