LADIES’ GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4824, 29 November 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES’ GOSSIP

If tho girls were as fastidious in tho selection of a husband as they are in the selection of a new hat there‘would bo less matrimonial trouble.

A determined attempt is being made to revive the arm scarf that beauties of tho Empire found so useful. It is useful as an adjunct to the evening toilette for the purpose of warding off draughts.

Tho housewife’s problem till lately was tho servant question. Now it is the scarcity of servant question. Probably there never was such a scarcity as at present. So say tho registrars.

Blue and green combined continues to bo a popular fashion in millinery—rather too popular to bo well worn; but emerald green used by itself or in conjunction with grey or white, is a favourite shade just . now in Paris. Black and white is ono of the most favoured mixtures for petticoats which are now being prepared. • * • » •

A feature in the new season’s trimmings is the way in which they are mounted. Instead of being laid on to the material which backs them, passementerie of cloth and braiding is set on separately as a flouncing, attached only at the heading. Of course, the trimming must be of a certain width and thickness to b© treated in this way. Quite a novelty in the new tartan Angora felt, which is used in millinery for turban hats or toques to accompany shooting or fishing costumes. The felt, being very soft and fluffy-looking, gives a softness to the blues and greens and mauves, of the tartans, • little trimming being added beyond a quill and a knot of black velvet at the back.

Walking in.the West End of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon, writes a correspondent, I overtook a nurse with two 'children. Sho was rating them furiously as I camo up, and as site seemed to bo too intent to hear my approach, I had tho inestimable privilege of catching some phrases of her language In its native unadorned condition- It was vilo, brutal, blasphemous. And yefc parents often wonder where their children pick up unseemly words.

The Russian blouse gains in popu- 1 larlty; made in tweed or some rough, hairy-faccd fabric, it is a charming garment. The basque should not bo. of too groat depth; barely reaching to tho hips, and decidedly dipping in front, is about tho right thing. The rovers should bo turned well back, and ma-chino-stitched to tho waist-lino, a .narrow belt, fastened by an. oxydised silver or dull enamel buckle, also being worn. Tho skirt should bo plain, and guiltless of any frill, but fall in sufficient fullness round tho feet. There can bo no doubt that women keep their good looks much longer than they did. Tho woman of forty, oven of uTby, is not so old-looking as the woman of thirty was a generation back. Tho Juliet of to-day is not fourteen by twonty-fivo at least. Tho young woman in a play is not now tho confcro of interest or sympathy. Generally sho is represented .as a raw, almost ludicrous specimen of silly girlhood, and as being altogether barren or all those attractions which tho married woman of double her ago possesses in such dangerous measure.

Wo seem to have entered hpon % period of quietude in coiffures. Quaint and striking results aro held to bo outside tho. mode. i