HER LADYSHIP

Southland Times, Issue 18969, 16 June 1923, Page 14 (Supplement)

HER LADYSHIP

BOWS AND THE MODE. LONDON, April 19. /X marked importance is paid to bows this season. To a large extent they take the place of fastenings on smart suits. The new crossover suit coat invariably fastens on one hip with a bow, which may be either a narrow “tic” Of the material or an enormous billowy arrangement of handsome satin ribbons. Bow’s are sprinkled here and there, in all kinds of unexpected places, on fashionable models. They attain amazing proportions on evening gowns. These gigantic bows, arranged at the back of a gown, subtly introduce a new outline which is reminiscent of the bustle. Few women would accept the bustle were it brought in its old form, but its counterpart, being so ingeniously applied to gowns which bear very little likeness to the old mode in other respects, is acclaimed for its daring. Even more striking is the huge bow of ribbon which hangs from the front of the waist line on evening gowns. Day frocks of pleated crepe are sometimes girdled with gauze ribbons of many colours which are tied in front in soft bows and allowed to float down the gown. A feature of silk coatees are the shoulder bows and streamers of velvet. On gowns having two cuffs—one at the elbow and another at the wrist—the upper cuffs are frequently tied round with ribbons which finish in bows on the elbow. Gauntlet gloves are completed by ribbon wristlets tied in smart bows. Parasol handles are frequently “finished off” by a bow, and the ribbon handles of some of the newest silk bags are tied in rosette-like bows. Feathers are twisted in the shape of bows for millinery purposes. The “gipsy tie” is frequently used as an informal trimming on smart “sailor” models of fine silk milkcoloured straw.

NOTES FROM LONDON. WEDDING GOWNS. LONDON, April 19. There is a perfect epidemic of weddings Day after day fresh bridals are reported, and the papers are full of wedding portraits (writes the correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald). Bridal gowns are all more or less cut on the long loose trained pattern. Some are of silver tissue veiled with lace. Others are of satin and brocades or heavily brocaded corded silk. Miss Langdale, who married Lord Manton yesterday at the Brompton Oratory, looked very smart in a wonderful dress of satin beaute veiled in chiffon and embroidered in a design of rays in diamante. The train was similarly embroidered, and was covered right to the hem by her long bridal veil. There was a lily-green velvet band holding the veil and a small arum lily over each ear. The bridesmaids wore mauve crepe de Chine dresses, with shoulder straps of shaded sweet peas; their mauve tulle veils had bunches of sweet peas holding them in place. She carried bouquets to match. Another smart wedding yesterday was that of Mr John Inskip and the Hon. Janet McCleay. This wedding took place down in the country at the Orphan Homes Church of Weir. The bride’s gown was of white, embroidered in silver thread and diamante. The train had the design of the lace outlined in gold thread, and her veil of tulle was held in place by sprays of white heather. Still another bridal gown of corded silk brocade in a tint of ivory was draped with Brussels lace. The train, which was of Brussels lace, worn by the grandmother of the bride, was lined with chiffon, and had been held by a bouquet of myrtle. She carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley. There were no bridesmaids, but the train was carried by two pages wearing suits of yellow velvet. FASHIONS. From what I have seen of the new toilettes dress is very charming this year. The cut is loose and “pouchy,” and the general trend is for grace and ease. The pictures for Court dress are wonderfully far removed from the old stiff conventional designs that did duty for so many years. The same idea goes through them all—long trains, long-waisted gowns, and wonderful girdles and plastrons of flowers. Even the traditional Court plumes are less strident. The way women wear their hair accounts for much of this. The hair is dressed low down on the neck, very simply coiled and loose over the ears. I see that all the best and most fashionable houses advertise knitted suits, cut on the simplest, tailor-made styles. Knitting silk has come down in price, and people seem to be knitting jumpers and wraps as busily as ever. We lapsed back to verycold weather after Easter, and are all glad of furs and winter clothing. Our summer raiment bids fair to be very attractive. The colours and designs are exquisite. Moracain crepe is the favourite material. In winter time a much heavier make of this material is worn. Alpaca, strange to say, is considered one of the most fashionable materials this spring. It is verynice for tailor-made costumes. It catche-s no dust, and provided it is well cut and

simply made, looks distingue. Hats ar& profusely trimmed with flowers—great bunches of mixed blossoms. I saw a delightful bouquet of pink roses, violets, and golden wallflowers. The combination was exactly right. Feathers, too, are worn, but only small plumes set in at the back of the head. It is also a great ribbon year. And the French use moire ribbon in preference to any other. Gloves are much«decorated. It would seem that we arc going back to the time of Queen Bess, when gloves were handsomely embroidered. We embroider them now, and most of the gauntlet gloves are thickly fringed.