IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 65

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES.

By

Marguerite.

(Special fob the Otago Witness.) “ Isn’t this lovely ? ” says the newlyengaged girl, as she proudly shows you pieces of delicately coloured crepe de chine, georgette, and other flimsy silks. “We shan’t be married for ages, but I am just getting a few things together.” And you wonder where the “ things ” are as she produces from the depths of a brand new “ glory ' box ” these lengths of pretty silks, a remnant or two of brocade, a bundle of pieces of exquisite real laces, and a box of yards of ribbons. There are no made-up garments and piles of lingerie, such as the bride of the past spent months passing before her wedding day and sewing and embroidering with the finest of stitchery. Now the engaged girl has so many social functions to attend that she has time to prepare only the fancy-worked linen for the home. For her own lingerie she has just sufficient made up in the very latest mode for her immediate use. Fashions change so rapidly these days that garments made a few months back are already out of date in cut and material, so what is the use of making anything so far ahead? And garments now are made all in combination form, which means the wearing of less undies than a few years ago. The modern girl is practical, too, for as long as we have flats in our most exclusive suburbs furniture and lingerie will be made to fit into the picture. Flat life means that the washing must be sent out,.as the increasing number of “ bag wash ” laundries show. Unless the bride’s home is to be in one of the outer suburbs or in the country, where there is more of the element of home, when the trousseau will be of materials and dimensions to suit the different environment. * * * For my full-length illustration I am giving you a chic tennis frock. Although the dress has the appearance of being all in one, the model is really a jumper and skirt. The design is simple, but pretty, with . a novel skirt. Two pleats, which pjve freedom, have a tab over them cut in with the front material. The tab just lies flat over the pleats, and is finished with an ornamental white button. The

hem is turned up on the right side and piped with a • pale shade of any colour preferred or chain-stitched. The blouse has slightly extended armholes. The diagonal neck line is originally cut in’a “ V ” with a bias piece of the material sewn on to give a diagonal effect. A piping of pale yellow would look smart on white crepe de chine, spun silk, or any tennis silk or cotton material. * * * This illustrates a frock which shows the new .fashion of fullness of pleats on

skirt is fashionable, while the pleats themselves are slightly bouffant. This frock would look smart in figured marocain, crepe de chine, or crepe satin in shades of gazelle, jade, or Japanese blue. The printed silk could show a red, blue, or green pattern on beige, with the buckles in any colour preferred. * * * Motifs of shaded ribbons are being used for evening frocks, while yards of ribbon made into enormous-sized motifs decorate the hems of bouffant frocks. Six are the general number, which means each one is over a’ foot wide. They make chiffon frocks “ stand out ” and give the desired effect. These flower motifs, made of beautifully shaded ribbons with the outer layers light in colour and the dark centres encrusted with brilliants, make a dress with no other trimmings elegant and gorgeous. Stiff ribbon is- chosen. * * * My third illustration is of a street frock, which would be equally smart in heavy or light material. The pleated skirt, while hanging slim and straight, allows freedom of movement to the wearer, and the bodice, which can be either attached to or separate from the skirt, is fashionable with its diagonal trimming in a contrasting material to that

of the rest of the frock. A belt with a bow-like fastening makes an unusual finish.. The model is in black corded silk with cuffs, belt, and revets of white or grey kid. White gloves, black court shoes with nude or gunmetal-coloured stockings, and a black hat" trimmed in white would complete an effective ensemble. * * * Effective pouchettes and bags can be made on a foundation of cretonne, embroidering over the design with raffia of the same or a contrasting shade. One always has pieces of cretonne left over, so this will be found a way of making such into useful articles at a very small cost. * * * With the wa.shing dress or blouse a belt is a necessity. Smartness and simplicity are combined in belts made of macrame string, either natural or coloured. You will need to have two strands of the macrame for each length, and plait them together, six lengths altogether. Fasten your ends securely, apd finish with a pronged buckle. You will be surprised how smart these belts look. * * * A choker collar of tulle tied in a bow at the side gives a softening effect. As tulle soon loses its freshness by being tied, a suggestion is to fit it round the neck, have a made bow at one end, and fasten the other long end with a jewelled

pin or brooch. These berthe collars are fashionable in georgette or muslin, and renovate a last season’s dress or add distinction to a plain frock. The opening on the shoulders gives a more decorative note, and has picot or hemstitched edges. * * * Plain crepe de chine, tussore, and shantung are being quite overlooked in the present rage for polka . dots, checks, and the tiny futurist or flower patterns. Crepe de chine and printed chiffons are in the front row of fashion, as the fine fabrics show up the printed designs so well, ' but all the same plain silks have a charm in the soft sheen of the silk, and a dress made of the plain silk has attractidn amongst so many of the flowered ones. A heavy crepe de chine in a strawberry tone with pleated collar and two-way cuffs of parchment-coloured crepe looked very chic seen on a society girl recently. As the day grew cooler she donned a fine cloth cream coat with a white fur collar.

There are 67,929 scholars, 35,751 boys and 32,178 girls, in primary schools in the Auckland education district, according to figures supplied to the Auckland Education Board last week. The average attendance is 60,286, 31,858 boys and 28,428 girls. Schools in the district number 762, including 50 half-time schools, ■ .