BATHING ATTIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 5

BATHING ATTIRE

The bathing costumes are distinctly smart; no longer is even the ardent swimmer content to don just anything in the way of a woven suit (says Melbourne “Table Talk”). It must he distinctive in colouring and well-shaped, while,the cap must match. The Canadian costume (braid trimmed) is now striking enough to draw admiration for the wearer anywhere. The knickers, short sleeves, neck, and edge of the tunic are done with rows of white soutache braid, set fairly close together, while here and there between are worked raised spots in that new vivid metallic blue which is neither peacock nor kingfisher, yet has the sheen and the illusive green of both. A short distance away this trimming has the appearance of silver lines connected hy rather large beads, while in reality it is a trimming warranted to stand even the ravages of salt water. Beads, however, have invaded even the bathing costume. One of the old gold had anohors worked solidly in deep blue heads, which scintillated with every movement. Of course, the water would not hurt them much, but the cotton with which they were attached Would probably soon rot. The newest idea in bathing costumes bails from America. It is the ordinary one-piece woven swimming suit, with a tunic overdress of silk, or one of the near silk materials. This overdress never clings to the figure, so is considered quite allowable on even the strictest-ruled beach in the United States of America, and some of them have pretty drastic rules as to what is suitable. These tunic dresses, which are made short enough to allow glimpses of the knickers to be seen, may be as fluffy and elaborate as one pleases, or may be out on smart plain lines. Another ndiv note is the slightly distended skirt edge, or the slightly distended hip line. This is not achieved, of course, hy means of any steel which would rust, but hy the insertion of rather thick piping cord along the hem or across _ the hip, sometimes several rows. This does not lose its shape when wet.