LADIES' COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 6 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

, CHIT-CHAT PROM LONDON; It .was predicted that this was to be.' white season, and it has come to pass. At all smart gatherings white is the prevailing tint. Materials of white hopsack, fine white cloth, white voile, and white serge arc employed for the creation of the newest day gowns,, many of which are most beautifully trimmed with pastel-shaded embroideries threaded with gold and silver. Taffetas mousseline, shot in very pale tints, is also trimmed with embroidery, which takes in the same tones. Many beautiful printed gauzes and voiles, with floral designs, have :ome into the market. A black ga'uzc has ; shaded carnations strewn upon it, and this is made up over carnation-red silk. The gown is finished with a red silk waistband and sash, a deep collar of cream-coloured lace, puffed sleeves and undersleeves of cream lace.

Trimmings are a great feature of dress this season. These lake the form of flat embroideries, galloons, and braids, a goodly supply of ruches, frills, frou-frous, and every' description of lace being used in addition. The billowy effect of lace and general .fiuffiness of frills and ruches is becoming to most women The rag© for tiny checks continuesblue | and white, brown and white, and black and j 'white being "the' popular shades. ■ These checks make smart walking gowns, with the all-round skirt, .arranged in flat, tailorpressed pleats, and cross-over bodice, finishing with a decided point in front. By the by, all smart, up-to-date bodices are iiuislied with this point in front. If a band is worn this is also pointed. Fashions for young girls are always at their prettiest in. the summer time, when exceptionally charming washing materials are to be had. Spotted muslins, floral muslins, mercerised cottons, and linens lend themselves admirably to the creation of dainty frocks. The newest dress linens are to be had in all soft shades of pale green, rose-pink, mauve, and blue. Simplicity • prevails, and this is essentially necessary with washing frocks. More fussiness is permissible with the spotted muslin frock. One dainty little', maiden's dress is made of spotted muslin in Empire style. The shortwaisted;bodice is finished with 'two rows of lace inserted.just above the waistline, and this is threaded with white ribbon, which regulates the drawing in of the bodice loosely to the figure. ' The hem of the full skirt is finished with two muslin frills edged with lace,, and headed with insertion.'. The large sleeved ' liavo' frills falling over the wrist, aud a dee]) collar of muslin and lace falls gracefully, over the shoulders. Corsets, like boots, last all the longer, and keep their shape better, if two or three pairs are kept in use. Rest is good for them, and by changing them each day economy is effected. Corsets should never be put on tightthat is to say, the lacing should be loosened, and then drawn in to fit the figure after they are on. Flat laces are preferable to round ones. Let it be borne in mind that an inch or two should

invariably he left apart at the back. Much is written in this twentieth century about pretty and artistic homes, (ho decorative fashion at the present moment is to be found in covering the walls with selfcoloured paper in soft shades of green, blue, rose-pink, and yellow. The paint of the room is either white ov of the same or deeper

! tint than that of the paper. A white l'reizo I has the effect of making a small room look j larger, besides .which it is restful to the ! eyes. Dark wood picture frames harmoni ise best with papers of one colour.

A PRETTY AND USEFUL BLOUSE. There is a little 'difficulty in the matter of sleeves. The new puffed ones are certainly becoming to the majority of us, but they aire not comfortable under our liist year's cOjitg. ■. In the above sketch we have a plainer shirt-sleeve, with a series of tucks, and insertions of coarse Greek-patterned lace. A pretty fancy stitching appears between the tucks in front. Note that this blouse fastens up at the back and pouches in a becoming fulness at the waist, but it is quite clear under the arm. Neatness is the distinctive, note of the modem skirt or bl6tise, aild although for the summer the linen collar must give way to the transparent neckband, at present it is a. feature ; which cannot be ignored. The high, turnover. Prussian specimens, with fancy stitching thereon, made of a very flue glossy linen, are still the favourites. But I think for muslins and soft batiste the cambric cravat, which can be turned as high as you like, with little plea'tings of muslin or Valenciennes lace, is a more becoming finish.

DAINTY CLOTH FROCK. On all sides one is asked the "Is the double skirt going to be worn.' There are to be seen some charming examples. The wearer of ■an exaggerated style of this kind must be tall, for its lines are apt to detract from one's height. _At the same time if well cut it lia's a distinct smartness all its own. In this illustration we have a very good example, carried out in a pastel-blue cashmere cloth, with eutredeux of pleated taffetas of the same shade forming a trimming on the double flounce. This sketch also shows the new bolero with the cape sleeve, which forms 4 most becoming wrap for any occasion. It is trimmed with pleated taffetas, and lias a dainty collar of blue velvet and some old enamel buttons.