IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 4063, 26 January 1932, Page 57

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES.

By

Marguerite.

Women are revelling in the summer sales. All the week the shops have been crowded by women eager to make the most of some of the opportunities to buy cheaply. Bargains are in the air—snatches of conversation in bus, tram, or train echo with the word; and attractive sale posters are to be seen everywhere. These are the days when the busy housewife, armed with a list and a cheque cajoled from hubby, starts forth in the early morning to get the bargains—fresh and smart-looking, ready for a heavy shopping day. What matter if she returns late in the afternoon almost a total wreck, with aching feet and frayed nerves, tired out trying on serviceable ready-to-wear overcoats and frocks. Those previously untroubleeome corns have been trampled on by everjone; she has been crammed up against the hosiery counter and the remnant table, and bought odd lengths of bright-hued materials and ribbons that are of no use to her. But she would feel out of it if she was not down town to make a raid on the stores, from which no right-thinking woman likes to absent herself.

Some women run riot at sale time, buying this thing or that indiscriminately without any further idea in their minds than that it is likely to “ come in” sometime. The chief point is to remember at the sales “ white elephant ” purchases. . One can never go far wrong by buying garments which are to be worn immediately, such as tennis frocks or general and holiday wear. Threepiece suits in dark or soft shades are also sensible investments. Light afternoon frocks and dressy coats are not always a safe investment, because colour plays a very important part in the fashion world, and those sold cheaply at the sales are. after all. past the height of their popularity. Frills and silks and filmy frocks are extravagant purchases. A tour. of the city shops gives good insight into those lines which it is really advantageous to select. Alillinery bought must be worn at once, as nothing dates so quickly as headwear. The prices of smart millinery are usually much below those asked a month or go ago. Odd lengths of materials, silks, and cottons will be snapped up eagerly by the woman who delights in a bargain and is useful with her needle. Blouse lengths are very useful, and oddments of lame and brocade will make little coatees for the dancing miss. Laces and ribbons, too, for lingerie, some real choice bits of silks and laces, will be picked up by the early shopper. Also odd remnants of plaid and checked silk are a boon, for the touch of tartan and check is verymuch the vogue. The manehester departments offer tremendous attractions. The housewife and the future bride are afforded — opportunities of purchasing exquisite and requisite household linen at greatly reduced prices. And how the housewife revels in her piles of snowy ' sheets and table linen !

Even the wee folk are not forgotten. Channing little frocks which wash and wear, loyally for playing in' the garden are to be picked up. for a mere song, as are also practical little frocks for beach wear, and. natty overalls for the busy fisherman, with sou’-wester hats. So, after all, bargain hunting makes a happy shopping day fo.r the woman of limited income.

The smart woman is very simplydressed nowadays. Jumper suits, tailored suits, and trim wool crepe de chine frocks with neat collars and shiny belts are sensible and attractive outfits for present wear. Belts are not the simple things they were. Widths vary, but the wide variety is popular, as well as the very narrow belts. Narrow meta) bands, like outsize bracelets, are also swn. A narrow belt of material machine switched marks the waistline of some ' of the tailored type of frocks, coats, and suits.

.This illustrates a jaunty jumper suit of novelty silk knit and dark navy wool crepe. The blouse has multi-coloured stripes with navy blue predominating, and a narrow belt of blue and gold

leather has a metal buckle. The skirt has an inverted centre pleat. With this simple suit is worn a email navy hat tilted up and swooping down over the left eye to show two gay coloured quills. » The freshness of frills is illustrated in this jumper suit in two shades of wool crepe de chine or a skirt of wool fabric and a jumper of satin. And here is a suggestion for using remnants : beige satin with brown, two shades of blue, the ever-popular black and white combination, and the newest colour scheme—•

light and very dark green. The skirt ia cut on slim lines with a slight flare at the hemline, the jumper being semifitted and belted at the natural waistline. The circularly cut frills give a chic finish. With a fitted long coat in dark green and a derby felt hat you will have a trim ensemble. Overblouses are most fashionable.

It ia as well to prepare for unsettled weather now. so a weather-proof coat is essential. There are some beautifully fashioned And coloured raincoats on the market these days, which can be used on treacherous days when' the sky looks as if it. might capriciously'.overflow or ’change its'mind and allow the full' flood of the sun’s warmth to pass unhindered.

These attractive , coats do not have-the' Effect of makings you feet you have anticipated the worst, - as. they .are- so Smart in cut,, design;, and so silk finished that they; serve well the twofold purpose of wearing' in rain, or shine. Some of them incorporate the two-piece, idea; and fan- be obtained in colours* to- go with , any dress or general colour scheme. Waterproof suits for rainy days are the newest fashion. Easily adjusted; wrap6ver <■ skirts- in rubberised material are topped with-> jaunty _ double-breasted jackets with, upstanding collars, an umbrella, and- a saucy cap in the same fabric. r - « * *

Patterned-, ribbon makesr.a smart finish to the neckline of a plain, frock. Make tiny pleats at- the -back ,of the ribbon, tacK to the centre of neckline, and slip the ends through a-little buckle in front. Choose your waistbelt in the predominating colour of the ribbon,, and -fasten with a matching- buckle. Another simple finish to a high round neckline is a shallow collar of lingerie or crepe de chine ; -finishing., at the centre front with a half circle of fine ftafc pleating. Have narrow cuffs- to- match for the long, fitted sleeves and a white belt.- Chic, very-, for the dark brown or navy frock I

. This illustrates two of the newest hats—wearable, flattering-headwear with briinsr The autumn, hats are tiny little pffairs tilted and tucked, nipped and slashed in>.just the newest manner. The top hat, a brown tricorne derby, has the ’brim slashed to show two tiny bright-

feoloured quills. The" bottom sketch is Of a hat of dark green felt- stitched all over, with a trimming of a twist of ribbon tying at the side back. Tiny crochet caps are worn by young girls with jumper suits, and appear in twocolour silk crochet with or without a narrow roll brim. * ¥• ¥ At the moment for c-00l days light but warm flannel coats are worn, cream beige, and brown being . the chief colours. Flannel coats are sporty always, and with a striped or plaid silk scarf are moat attractive additions to the wardrobe. Worn over a wool jersey frock that has its matching turban, a flannel coat is invaluable for a motor or train trip. V .The cape vogue is noticed in our night wear. The top sketch shows a charming nightdress of heavy-weight crepe de chine or washing satin in peach pink with a prettily shaped cape edged with narrow. Vai. lace. The skirt fullness. is held by pin tucks at the side. Baby blue ribbon ties hold the cape in position in front. From shoulder to shoulder the cape is stitched to the nightdress. If preferred the cape can be

bordered with hand embroidery in blue flowers. Hand embroidery is so daintv. It is not always the amount of 'work that one puts into hand-embroidered undies, but it is the effect that makes them so charming. The bottom sketch shows the effect of a plain neckline for a. nightie and a simple trimming of Vai. lace edging the cap sleeves and decorating the front. This style of gown may have a short cape of crepe de chine for j breakfast in bed.” Later on capes and short jackets of Shetland wool iu pastel colours are delightful little fancies. With Tibbon ties they are most easy to slip iinto.

‘ I want more pramfl for the depots,” announced Mrs A. I. Fraer at the meeting of the Unemployment Relief Committee at Christchurch. “ There are a tremendous lot of babies,” “ Prams ? ” ’echoed the surprised male element at the meeting. “ Yes,” replied Mrs Fraer, they seem to go with unemployment.” ‘ A lot of people have prams stowed away,” said the chairman, Mr J. W. Beanland. “They would send them to the. depotfl if they only knew they were