WINTER FASHIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17459, 1 May 1920, Page 4 (Supplement)

WINTER FASHIONS.

Paris is the home of Madame la Mode, and any dress news from there is not only interesting but inspirational as well. It provides food for thought which in due time may be reproduced in a moie practical form. An ability to adapt ideas ; s i one of the most useful assets not only of j the successful dressmaker but of the welldressed woman. And Dure is many an | idea to be taken froa; our Paris correspondent's latest letter, in which she writes : j "A very attractive and useful tunic for afternoon or evening wear may be made in Chinese-coat form of metallic gauze, with ' a hem of hardwme broche ribbon and at the extreme edge a narrow border of fur. Such a tunic may be worn over a plain black satin fourreau, or over a short skirt of lace cr crepe de chine. The straight, clinging tames may be drawn in at the waist by a plaited silk or metallic-cord girdle: on the other hand, thev can be allowed to hang straight fro.n slioiUdor to hem ; this is an affair" for individual taste to decide. A really exquisite 'Paris model tunic was made of shell-pink organ*** muslin and bordered by a deep black stencil design, hightened here and there with fine silver threads. There was a girdle, with tassellod ends, of silver cord, and the neck of the tunic was cut round and loft, absolutely untrimmed. This, tunic was worn over a fourreau ot black charmouee. At a recent first night the most beautiful and admired dresses were mainly composed of sleeveless tunics of open-work silver, gold, or aluminium mesh over chiffon or charmeuse. These tunics, bought at a good house, with their accompanying fringes and tassels, cost a fantastic 6um, but a clever designer, given the run of the big shops and a workwoman who can not or mesh strands ot metallic thread, ought to be able to achieve a creation at one-fifth of ite shop cost. Evening cloaks. The most sumptuous garment in the wardrobe this season will be the evening cloak and the most used materia' will be velvet, A very lovely mantle— in form— designed by a Parisian manmilliner, is made of bright rose mirror velvet, with a lining of black satin and an immense cape-collar of grey squirrel. On this there is no embroidery; everything is quite simple and plain, but the combination of sombre lining with brilliant rose satin throws out, the soft tones of the grey fur collar. Another evening wrap designed by the same artist, is made of lemon yellow velvet, with a lining of tete-de-negre satin and enormous collar of musquash. On the fronts of the lining some Japanese-like embroideries are cleverly introduced. Both these wraps are long enough to completely cover the dress; the design is a simple kimono, but when the garment is donned it is draped across in front and fastened at one side with a very handsome ornament and cords. There is something very attractive about grey suede. It is not only extremely chic, but it has that saving grace so much of our present day dressing lacksit breathes a refinement. Much in vogue overseas, one hears, for waring on smart occasions with navy bluw tailor-mades, is a cavalier shoe made of smoke-grey doeskin, grey stockings to match, and grey gauntlet gloves. Of course, such shoes are only suitable for fine weather, but, combined with navy blue serge, they are immensely attractive. The "cavalier' shoe has a turn over flap of fringed leather. At the present time, grey shoes and stockings— grey for evening wear and "smoke" for the day timeare very much the thing. Very smart are pale grey suede shoes worn with black lace evening frocks, and long grey mousquetaire gloves ruffling up over the arms.

Autumn Materials. Among the many different kinds of autumn materials the stockinette, trieo silk, knitted or woollen fabrics, prove their full worth. The introduction of a contrasting brush wool decoration shows to advantage in some instances; the wool embroidery is also brought into play where the decorative point is in question. The gayest of colours are seen. One of the prettiest was in a nigger-brown checked in white and trimmed with deep claret-coloured wool embroidery. The skirt was draped in panier fashion, and the bodice showed the new long-pointed waistcoat fronts that promise to be greatly favoured this season. And this silk stockinette, fashioned in a fascinating shade of rose, was draped with the " tablier" panel, and hemmed with the up-to-date brushed wool, in a contrasting shade of tan ; the same kind of decoration was a feature on the simply-carried out bodice. Among the many features noticed were these one-piece autumn frocks fringe plays more than a conspicuous part. It is seen on skirt, bodice, and sleeves.

I Ladies who want the b.vst value ,n corsets 1 will find B and (' cruets the most nans factory purchase They are Kritmn made. I and conflOQiiont'v are not alibied by onrhant'o i rates, which make loreisn v ->(i« vi dear to- , day. The utmost comlnrt. onTrir-'ned with tho I bes> style an wearing iualines, make B and C. Corsets (arounUf everywhere. By i wearing B. and C Corsets you blip British industry &ad economise too Aak for B. and C. Corset*. All leading Drapers stock them.