IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 67

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES.

By

Marguerite.

(Special for the Otago Witness.) At the sales naw you will be able to buy cheaply those small gilt wire covers. You have all seen, I suppose, bunches of hand-made fruit on them. But I do not think you have seen any like I am going to describe to you. Get one of those china heads —the French busts, I mean—and fasten it firmly to the top of the cover. Then put a frilled skirt round of any bright coloured silk and gold or silver lace, finishing off with ribbon. A band of the lace should go round the edge of the cover. The result is a very pretty cover for cakes or fruit, the head acting as a handle. I am sure you will like them, for they look so dainty on the table, and they have the advantage that they do not squash the cakes. Of course you would not buy the heads with hair. The ones that have the hair modelled in china are the only kind suitable for a table decoration. These French busts can be used also for eoat-hangers. For these yoir will spread the skirt out to go right along each side, and edge it with narrow lace. They can also be used for the centre of the bed, where, underneath the doll’s frilled skirts, a bag can be tucked away. You have been used to seeing these heads used only as dressing-table novelties, but they have more uses than that. Another quickly made trifle is fashioned from those wooden rings we use for fancywork. Buy ribbon fairly stiff, and gather it round your ring, leaving a heading about half an inch wide on the outside. Then put rosebud trimming round to hide the stitches. Have a loop of ribbon for a hanger. These rings are used to hold silk stockings. But if you cover very large ones you will find them useful in the wardrobe for lace evening frocks, etc., articles which if put on a coat-hanger get stretched, or are so flimsy that a hanger marks them. Cover very small ones to match the colour scheme of your bedroom, and tie to the head of the bed. I saw them put to a splendid use in this instance. A lady friend of mine being sick, I went to see her, and I saw-half a dozen clean handkerchiefs slipped through the ring. My curiosity overcoming me, I asked my friend what the idea was. She saidj. “ It is such a nuisance always worrying someone to get me a clean hankie, so they are put there for me and I help myself as I want.” Attached to the ring was a little lavender bag. This is only two suggestions of ’ the uses these rings can be put to. Cover a few and see how handy they are. -it- -Jr All our new modes for autumn and winter have flounces, draperies, or inset pleatings. We have had the long, slim line for so long that a change will indeed be welcome. The more elaborate gowns for afternoon and evening wear feature the uneven hem line. Black gowns are more fashionable than coloured ones, velvet and satin (either the dull or shiny side out) being the most worn for formal occasions. They have no touch of colour, and the skirts are draped to one side, and fastened with a diamante

buckle or long jewelled pin. A string of pearls completes the smartness. Velvet and satin, being so supple, drape very beautifully. My first illustration is an attractive gown of black velvet or satin for dressy occasions, showing the newest

bell sleeves and the late berthe at the back. I would eboose deep cream or coffeecoloured lace with a gold or silver thread running through it. Drape it loosely from the shoulders to the waist. I think a velvet bow in too heavy, so would choose taffeta for the bow. This may be coloured if you wish, but I prefer it to be all black. Face the bell sleeves with the same material. * * * My full-length illustration is a woollen suit of tweed or kasha flannel, suitable for either country or town wear. Some of these flannels are in rich tonings, with the patterns very smart and varied. You will note the side drapiug and the

band of self colour facing the front. The inset vest is of the same material, and the few tucks on the shoulder just give the necessary fullness. I should put a fancy button just where the skirt is draped. * * My third illustration is of satin, velvet, or. a thinner material if preferred. The skirt is full, the bodice being draped to the side. You see that it has the new surplice collar. These are very fashionable for the autumn and winter gowns.

Some show the surplice collar only, but in this instance the model has a small roll white or cream collar as well. If you finish the side draping with a “ diamond ” buckle it will just give the necessary effective touch. The sleeve is quite plain, semi-fitting. * * * As bags seem to take such an important part in our dress accessories, I am illustrating one. The modern idea is for them to be large, whether flat, oval, or round. Even little women with tiny, brimless hats carry huge bags, or they look larger than they really are, no doubt, owing to the smallness of the hats. If you buy one of those tortoiseshell frames

you can make a bag like the illustration. A tweed bag to match your costume would look distinctive. With a more elaborate gown a charming handbag can be made in old-fashioned fancywork, cross-stitch, or woohvotk, only in this

instance thick silk should be used. You can make it as decorative as you like, for it will be almost everlasting. I used se ?„ don 6 in sma]l beads, but the silk looks mow handsome, ana you can do such beautif il designs with it.