SPRING IS COMING!

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 7

SPRING IS COMING!

THE D.I.C.'S DISPLAY OP SHOW ROOM MODELS.

Spring is coming!

No more potent promise of (hat bright season could be given than the display of new millinery, blouses, frocks, etc-, which the writer was privileged to see at the D.I.G. a few days ago. It was a refreshing sight after the prevailing sale windows, and certainly there is plenty of novelty in the new goods. The hats are really charming with all sorts of fascinating new ideas manifested in the shapes and trimmings. Quite large hats are much in evidence, a feature being the shape that is turned up at the back. One in that style was in "mastic''' shade, "the newcolour which is between a putty and a champagne, the trimming being tiny ostrich tips round the brim. "Nigger - brown" is much to the fore, and our old friend bottle-green has reappeared in new and charming models. One quaint hat in that shade was trimmed solely with the new flat, shiny leaves which appear on many of the most up-to-date hats. These leaves are massed closely together, sometimes made of patent leather and lined with satin of a, contrasting shade, and make an original ami striking trimming. Although many of the hats are large, the small shape is by no means ousted from its place. The most fascinating little hats were shown in different materials, most of them trimmed high. Worn with one of the new round veils they look tremendously chic. These veils, by the way, deserve a word in themselves. They are circular in shape, bordered in many instances with chenille, and are just thrown over the hat and allowed to fall to.about the chin in front and evenly all round. They are very new and smart. The plainer hats include neat shapes in chrysanthemum straw —a straw with an uncommon, frosted kind of effect—also tagel, pauama. and so on- A few hats of the much-sought-after "Jay" brand are also on view. The " ready-to-wears" are characterised by an elegant simplicity which is most effective.

The frocks and blouses are even more striking. The former follow the Early Victorian trend strongly, one in particular being of mole charmeuse, with a quaint draping round the hips of rose-embossed ninon, of which- the corsage was principally composed. Threequarter length sleeves were of ninon. A costume in bottle-green silk poplin showed the short saeque coat and full pleated skirt that promises to be so popular. Belted coats in gabardine still hold their own. A new touch is the "cape collar," which is a veritable small cape, and gives a most original touch to a costume. A number of the most delightful models in gabardine, serge, taffetas, etc., were on view, each with some distinguishing touch which marked them as new and exclusive. The fashionable "jumper" blouses, which are presently going to be so much worn, were shown in a variety of fabrics, and a charming short race coat, very full, was carried out in mole taffetas. A few of the just-introduced "La Militairo" umbrellas, very short as to handle, were shown, each provided with the leather strap which slips over the hand and ensures safety. With the short full dresses worn now. the effect is exceedingly smart. The Trench Coat, a three-quarter length coat of silver-grey gabardine, showed a military touch in the pockets, which follow closely the cut of those in an officer's tunic. The belt was also decidedly reminiscent of the same garment.

Altogether the display is novel and charming, although quite impossible to describe adequately in a limited space. The DJ.C. arc to be congratulated on having their advance shipments in hand in time to give such an early and comprehensive showing. G