FOR THE LADIES.

Shannon News, 6 July 1923, Page 4

FOR THE LADIES.

(Contributed)

In choosing an outfit there are many things to bo considered, if a woman would be dressed becomingly as' well as fashionably, for the really well-dressed woman, earns her title not only by copying the latest fashion-plates but also by a careful study of colour and line in relation to her own particular characteristics, her colouring, her figure, and so on. Then, again, she does not overlook the importance of dressing in harmony with the occasion and chooses her clothes, therefore, with due regard to her usual course of life and. the occasions for which her “best” frocks will, most probably, be required. Line in dress is very important, and just now lines are long, and the silhou- ' ettey on the whole, is kept slim —points that suit the average woman excellently. Even the much-draped dress keeps to slim lines, and the generous length accorded by the new skirts gives dig- . nity and grace to short and tall alike. The new dress-lines are certainly easy to wear and have none of the trying aspects associated with the short skirt, that has, happily, passed out of fashion and; was never distinguished for grace and charm, however smart it may have been.

A certain careless ease marks the majority of waist-lines, which exhibit the pouched or bloused .effect at a low level; but, on the other hand, the straight, semi-fitting bodice, gathered at the seams and finishing in an allround or pointed waist-line, offers a contrast, since the waist in this case is well-defined and is often marked by a piping-cord. Its companion skirt is more or less full, and the latest of these skirts have a suggestion of the crinoline about the hips, while the front and back are kept flat. Usually of silk materials, dresses of this, kind have not the length of line of the. all-in-one draped frocks, but, 'today's silks are so soft and supple that, even though gathered, the skirts hang straight and simply and the fulness over the hips is demure rather than audacious. .

Very much worn are cross-lines. Coatfrocks, coatees, long coats, blouses and bodices —all, at one time or another exploit the cross-line fastening, while the draped skirt or the draped dress almost invariably shows the cross-line in the hitch-up of the drapery. Many an evening dress, again, made of mixed materials, satin and lace, perhaps has a cross-over bodice. In; one instance where the right side of the bodice is of lace, the left, of satin, crosses it with a sweep and “snaps” on to the,right seam. The skirt,; gathered to the bodice under a silver-cord at a low waist-line which follows in a more moderate degree the slant of the satin above, hangs long on the right side and shortens on the left, thus emphasising the vertical effect which is seen again, in single form, on a new three-quarter wrap-coat of striped fleecy material, the right front rounded at the corner,

crossing over and attaching itself to the left shoulder. On flounced frocks, spiral effects are suggested, and the tiered skirt of cloth is sometimes so arranged that the whole front is covered with oblique lines of cloth—deep bands, about* five or six inches deep, set into the side seams. It will be seen, therefore, that the new, dress-lines are varied, although there is no departing from the general inclination towards slimness of line, that; dressmakers are encouraging so much in their latest models. Regarding colour, brown of every wearable shade will be much worn, especially the brighter browns, with which amber beads look so well.’ Every woman can wear brown, so long as. she chooses the shade to suit her; but • it should never be forgotten that very few colours blend satisfactorily with brown, while great success may- be achieved by a toilerette carried out completely in brown, from hat to shoes. Where a dark dress seems to need the livening touch of colour, more or less - pronounced, it is easy to introduce.the needed relief through the medium of hems of flowered or plain satin of some bright/ becoming velour, the- coloured hem: or binding to “pinafore”' over* frocks being one of fashion's little whims at the moment. Girdles also offer an easy means of adding a colour-touch to a dull-looking ; frock, and this season's girdles are . quite lovely and range from wide-bril- ' liant bands of beads in Chinese red,and other colours, to the simple iifch-wide 1 band of silk-braid, weighed down at the ends with handsome silk tassels. Colour, again, may be introduced into dark frocks through the lining of a drapery or a sash-end, turned-back to reveal its colour-touch, or through a brilliant buckle, embroidered in silks, wools, or beads, capturing a drapery on the left hip. <

Embroideries of all kinds and of the most: brilliant colours adorn the new season's frocks, among which, in ad* | dition to brown, colours that present themselves often in silks, woollens and ) cottons include a new, bright blue, a I deep; red that is neither rose no brick J but something between, and lemon* ! yellow. Greys have given way to a great extent to fawns and delicate biscuit shades, which are much in evidence among the coat and skirt suits and •spring wraps.