WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 11

WOMAN'S WORLD.

THE QUEEN'S DRESSES. HOW THEY ARE FITTED ON. • Tub Queen's dresses are nearly always fitted on ,at Buckingham Palace, but when Her Majesty orders a new gown, as a general rule she visits the modiste from whom it is to bo ordered. * . The proprietor or manager of the firm is informed a few days beforehand of the Queen's intention to visit his establishment, and he must, of course, be ready to receive her when she arrives. Some firms who are in the habit of receiving visits from Royalty have a private entrance for Royal customers, but neither Queen Mary nor Queen Alexandra bay© ever insisted on such an arrangement, but a private room must be set apart for tho reception of the Queen whenever she visits a modiste's establishment to order a gown. As soon as a new gown is delivered to Buckingham Palace particulars of it are entered up in the Robe book by the Queen's head maid, and it is duly numbered. When the Queen honours any of her friends by becoming a guest at their house, the head maid and a travelling maid always accompany Her Majesty. Sometimes the Royal entourage may include three, or four of the Queen's maids,, but at least two, including .the head maid, invariably travel with the Queen.The ■ woman. 1 ,-,..' ' HYGIENE OF SKIN AND HAIR. : " SEA-BATHING. ~ Sea-bathing claims more attention at present than any other form. of exercise, and fair women, if they have .not so far found their way to the waves, will do so within the next few weeks. Swimming has increased in popularity as an exercise for women, yet half of its advantages are not even realised. No more delight-, ful pastime is possible than the morning bath, with its rapid swim and regular exercise in the sea, which " does more for the physique. This is partly becaflse time spent under the open sky is refreshing and invigorating. • The skin profits by it, for though summer freckles, for a short time, dull a beautiful complexion, the tanning merely has the effect of rendering, the skin whiter than ever when, by use of proper unguents,' the ' delicsit3" brown ash been removed or modified. It is pleasant to lie in the sun during the hot morning hours. ti : .-' . , . 'I'.*' "'" The woman who goes to a bathing-place nowadays must be careful about a number of pretty accessoriesher bathing ,costumes, her ' wrap, the rubber cap she wears, the chair on which she reclines after her bath, the cushions against which she reposes. ' The morning dip ought ■: to be followed-by a course of special physical drill, and few are so careless of ' their appearance as to neglect this. Some new exercises are available, offering advantages of.;physical culture, ; while affording plea-' sant recreation. Women have become so neglectful of walking that.it is essential to drill. The fashionable figure, too, is? a slender . one; by well-chosen exercises it is net at all impossible •to attain to a graceful outline. Drooping shoulders are more admired .now. than the square model of even a 'few years past; these are secured by means of adjustable appliances that no*d not necessarily be used in a. gym- ' nasium. '';;' ' .\\ ■' '. V " During the sea-bathing season the woman who makes of her summer rest a course ;' of hygiene must be extremely careful about her, food. There arc delicate essences .: and; other special : preparations, which come in for a good deal of attention. They must bo carefully studied and chosen with due attention to tho .needs of the; individual. It ,; is "not at all sufficient, in ' resolving to adopt a fruit or a milk diet, for the sake of physique or complexion, :to make up one's mind to partake only-of-fruit or milk. Food must tbe so rigidly suited to the person who u*<?s it that it is well to know v something >: of new .y methods. ; ; How-! ever interesting and' satisfactory certainvarieties may be to one 'individual/ all; are not likely to suit every constitution. ; Thus, ; the ? woman whose summer days are to result in physical refreshment 'and improvement must know-how to strengthen herself 'by studied nourishment. r A* ; soft • and lovely complexion and a graceful form are frequently . improved by; suitable ''i hygienic treatment, and by "the right ; diet during a period of sun-bathing, but speciali choice is important. v

' PARASOL HANDLES;' No toilette -,: this summer will bo i complete without a large and imposing parasol. The handles, have been devised with much skill, and something of a practical tendency is to be traced in their designs. Thus, i a pleated straw loop, into which a dash of colour has been introduced, may be quoted as a convenient finish for a sunshade to be': carried on, all occasions. Loops of coloured leather are also amongst those partaking of a useful nature. Canes, covered with coloured ' velvet, sometimes even picked out with embroidery, are shown in the lovely tints of the season's foulards, silks, and cashmeres. An expanded lotus flower, carved in tinted horn, forms one of the extraordinarily large, round plaquets that- complete some of the new silken or- lace-trimmed parasols." Of coloured- horn, too, is the round plaque into which a mirror is -fitted,' set at such an angle that the lady who carries it may glance at herself ; without attracting attention. A cunning little device that accompanies the mirror handle 'has the appearance of a silken pompom hanging from the parasol-stick. This conceals a powderpuff, for the seeming pompom: is actually a small bag. Tinted horn plays a large part, and such a novelty as the handle of a' parasol or umbrella- made of lettucegreen horn, over which an acanthus \ leaf in a dark tone of the same hue forms "a loop, might be quoted as typical of numerous ideas freely shown. Carved ivories are still popular. The latest of these is probably intended as 'an "all ' British" souvenir, for it is the head of John Bull, with a black hat, coloured neckerchief, and one or two additional tints introduced in complexion, eyes, and hair. '

NO HOPE FOR THE CRINOLINE. " Is' the crinoline skirt likely to become fashionable in Leeds during the coming season?" recently inquired a Yorkshire Evening Post representative from two of the leading firms of costumiers in Leeds. "Emphatically no," replied one authority well acquainted with everything that is happening amongst the fashion framers of Paris. "Like the harem skirt -it is doomed to failure. It is • merely a bold attempt amongst irresponsible people to start a new craze. Certainly there is a tendency for wider skirts, though not very wide, but there is no chance for crinolines as we know them in fashion history, books. We shall soon have . artistically swathed costumes, and a little lace will bo fashionable; once more." .: . The other Leeds expert, who had just returned from London, said: "I have just seen a modified i form of this costume. It was only made with a skirt 2vds round —as compared with 7yds to Byds in - the 'fifties—and it did not look at all bad. As regards a revival of the old style, I do not think there is the remotest possibility of it. ".'•" ■ ■ . . ; ,■■•'.' "I spoke to several leading Court dressmakers, and they thought the old idea was impracticable. Why, with the oldtime wheel hoops Leeds ladies could nob get into the traracars or the trains. ; I won't go so far as to say no hoops of any kind will be worn. ' The , hooped skirt . I saw, I must confess, looked very graceful, and the lines from waist to foot were very good. But the Court dressmakers do not anticipate even: a ; rush on this extremely modified form of crinoline ■skirt."' - - < .1

• THE NEWEST WORKBAG. ' ' Tho latest workbag «is : a most •'. practical affair, and every woman who hears: a- description of it will want to set to ,_, work to make herself one at once. It ,; is on tho lines of the satchel bag, 'only it is made of cretonne, and, instead of being fitted with little pockets to hold mirror, notebook, and so on, it is arranged for the ac-: commodation of the accessories of needlecraft. The bag can be made from two* pieces of cretonne, measuring 14in across by llin in depth. It is joined up on threa sides to within about 3in of the top, and the two top edges are fitted with narrow rods of wood. To these stiffened edges are attached little handles of cord. • Tho bag is interlined with tailors' canvas, and lined with pale tinted sateen. , On one side of this lining small bands and pockets are stitched to hold the various implements required by the ? workers., 1 Made of a pretty.small, rose-patterned cretonne, lined with pale blue or pink, nothing could be prettier than this work satcfiel, and I recommend it for those who, with an eve to tho future, are i seeking something new to make for their friends for Christmas presents. . ' ";■■— ' -