AUTUMN AND WINTER ROBES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13847, 8 March 1909, Page 7

AUTUMN AND WINTER ROBES.

FASHION'S LATEST

By reason doubtless, of the fact that Balluntyne and Co. have ever earned and enjoyed an enviable reputation in the estimation of those whose business it is to go shopping, the firm is looked to. at the changes in the seasons of the year, to give to the public what is latest and best in the modistic world. This they have never failed to do, and at the present time when summer is fast .fading into autumn, a glance at their ; sliow windows indicates that they have taken time by the forelock in anticipating and providing for the requirements of ladies in the matter of winter dressing, in a most satisfactory way. A contemplative half hour spent in their shop reveals many pretty things, and creates a firm conviction . that frocks and frills of a

1 unique kind, and 1 altogether wonderfully handsome toilettes are to disport themselves during the coming winter months. •

• Of course the millinery department lias jjiany conspicuous features, but these must .he seen to he properly appreciated. Sketches and observations on' paper are of little value. The battle of the hate" has always been a keen and interesting one, and Paris modistes have been not one whit less ambitious than usual for this Fall. The colours are naturally more sombre than those of the' spring, but the shapes arc more wonderful and the enrichments of greater excellence. Perhaps two of the most notable styles are th" dignified Direetoire, and the militant Husbv hat. There arc, however many others, and the colourings arc all very striking, including mole, cerise, pansy, blue, brown, ficelle, nattier, and other quite new shades. Bird life -has again fallen a sacrifice to the demands of .fashipn. and. . wings and feathers find a prominent place in the 1

trimmings, these being seen in all the glory of the autumnal hues. In the floral adornments the new pastel shades are perhaps the most striking. In the matter of mantles and coats Ballantyne'.s have a great display, of skin and furlined goods, which at once convey the idea of warmth and comfort. There are also collars of marmot and other furs, including racoon and marten, fur-lined motor coats, some very nice cloth coats in the new shades of green, cinnamon browns, and saxe blues. Special attention has been paid to matrons' wear, and the problem for them —"what to wear" —is easily solved at Ballantyne's. The error of the fashion artists of the past in trying : to make a figure at the expense of health and comfort is now being rectified, and due attention paid to comclv' embonpoint, which after all, is what man most admires, and the robing of a lady is supposed to be directed with a view to captivating his fancy. Of fur sets there is, a great' range of beautiful little goods, all of a cold-defying character. Coming to costumes and blouses it is at once seen that there is a collection par excellence and that they are of a kind which aid in producing a nice effect. There are -some costumes of a specially attractive kind in navy serge, trimmed with green velvet, black braid, and with a military collar. There are all the 'latest shapes in costumes, including those with shorthand others with long coats, cut-away coats, and others aU fashioned after the best Paris and English models. In bewildering variety are the coats and skirts shown, shape and colour being different in each one; and the selection of blouses is a very choice one, the latter including blouses of silk net, mesalline, .and Japanese silks, cream woollens, coloured delaines, etc. The popular shirt-blouse is also in evidence, the smartest French models being included in the list. The viyella shirt-blouse has no doubt attained its popularity largely from the fact that it will stand any amount of washing without shrinking. Ballantyne's "well cut" tweed and cloth skirts still, hold pride of place and the pretty model skirts in black voile and acolines, daintlv trimmed with silk, at once proclaim their right to be chosen for evening wear. Of silk and nioirette underskirts there is a very fine lot, and shoppers will doubtless be attracted by t-lie new and very handsome "cosy" dressing gowns and jackets which find a place in the big stock, These are light, yefc. warm, being made of a new kind of flannel, and they are made up in. varying. colours. The Kimono dressing jacket in ripple cloth, and trimmed in new designs with wool insertion is a special feature in this section. It should be stated that in the tweeds, stripes are conspicuous, and that there are some really excellent dress lengths winch were manufactured at the Timaru Woollen Mills. In colour, the general stock of tweeds is seen in mole, and greens, and brown mixtures, chiefly, some of the principal being the drap superb, rcsida, amethyst, amazon, etc. Then there are lots of beaiitful silks for day and evening wear in all the popular shades and standard makes. The velvets and velveteens in the new shades arc also strikingly beautiful, and quite fit to take their allotted place in the modiste's scheme of things. As usual, the Manchester Department lias been exceptionally well stocked with new goods delaines, keymo flannels, viyellas, taf-. ettas. and all the choicest Australian and Colonial flannel blousings, finding; l a place here. Artistically arranged is. the Fancy Department with its hang-: ing of quaint and dainty little nicknacks such as are calculated to delight the heart of any woman. But it is something more than a picture gallery; its utilitarian aspect is proclaimed in a great variety of things. There are Indian designs in linen tapestries, Madras muslin in ecru and colourings, some very choice new astrakan table covers, applique curtains, brise-bise window nets, harness muslin, and a 'very fine lot of new lace curtains. The winter is upon us, the shopper is reminded by the warm and rich looking eider down quilts which are displayed in artistic and ordinary colourings in their coverings of satin and sateen. These handsome quilts are well ventilated and with their silk frills they make a pretty ornament in the bedroom, especially the miniature ones for cots. Ballantyne's " wear well " hosiery is too well known to require any comment here, but mention should be made of the new importations in the form of exclusive laces in white, black, and all the Paris shades. Attention should also be drawn to the novelties in lace collars, jabots, ties, fronts, veilings in all shades, plain and faiicy coloured silk ribbons in all the latest shades. Among the veilings, special attention should be drawn to the showerproof veilings designed for use by motorists. There are many other things worthy of attention, such as ha iid-cmbroidered linen goods, ; tray' and tea cloths, duchess and sideboard runners, pillow shams, embroidered crash and white muslin, cushion and cosy covers, etc. 11l winter gloves there is a very fine selection for indoor or outdoor wear, and all in qualities that can be relied upon. There are wool-lined kid gloves with fur cufl's, iu browns, tans, and black; cashmere (reindeer finish) gloves; wool-lined gloves with two dome fasteners; ringwood gloves in white and other colours; kid driving gloves, strapped and lined ; Mocha and chevrette gloves; and gloves for all possible occasions and uses. Like every other department in the shop, the glove section is stocked to suit ali persons and all purses.

It should not be inferred from the foregoing that Ballant.vnc's enter only for ladies. Men are provided for on a most liberal scale. The new tweed suitiugs include the famous St. Kilda hand-made tweeds (a suit of which is almost everlasting), and other heavy tweeds specially suited for winter use. The'range of autumn tweeds is cxtcii-

sive,- and . while quantity is there, quality io iil.i lacking. ...among, the made-up new luatiK r motor coats are no Liveable, as v oil as several other goous designed specially for the motorist. 'l'lion there .■are winter vests of pretty pattern, . ready-to-wear suits, Dreadnought oilskins guaranteed to resist anytning in the sliape of water, these being made according as they are required for walking or driving.. There are new handkerchiefs, double and peak collars with round cdrners, ties, soft-fronted shirts (pleated) in blue and biscuit shades, and something quite new in headwear, in the form of "dressy" little hard hats in green, black and brown. Then also there is a. great variety of winter gloves, including the sealskin motor glove, men's cardigan vests, dressing gowns, and a lot of very smart-looKing things for bpys and youths. On the whole, the autumn show of this year must be recorded as among Ballantyne's best, and a tour of inspection through the extensive shop can., be confidently recommended.