SPRING IS COMING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 14003, 11 September 1909, Page 3

SPRING IS COMING.

A CIIAT -.ABO.UT DRESSES. -. That spring is corning, all Xat-'urc proclaims, liut'in ttie k>uji wjicro .Nature is given only an. under-dOt-K pansage, her handiwork has to be displayed very largely, per - tbe mod nun of artificial means. Among tlio" most, attractive imitations of .Nature an; those to be seen in the drapers'' windows, and the object of this cnat upon dross is to draw the-.attention of : ladies, , aye and ui" gentlemen, also, to the fact tbar the veterau lirm of ilallantvne ami Co., is again to tbe, lore with all that is. latest aiid'best in the world of dress. The firm's, show windowg at the present time, present a veritable ioast of colour, and it is hardly necessary to say that .with Ballantytie s it is not merely a case of show, lor utility and attractiveness always go hand 111 hand with them. Those in charge of tlie various departments have spared no effort to uuiKo tho spring show of llHli) eclipse all. us preueiessors, and The verdict, it the ninny-'who mase iSalLuityiio's uietr snoppiiig rendezvous, call nardly l.e otlu-r. man a lavouraolo one. llie markets ol England, alia indeed of all parts of the worm have been lalisaeKtu by the Home and r oreign buyers v 1 tne lirm . under notice m order to secure that which is best, lor their particular and discerinug patrons iu -New /.ealaiid. Ine new goous nave been drawn lroiu different climes and different coloured peoples, ami grave aiKl gay, young and old, have all been tUouguc ol lu tlie buying. Woods have come to hand by tlie shipload, the latest snipment piactug tlie firm iu possession ol some of the smartest articles of attire that it- has ever been their pleasure to allow. Ballantvno's openeu their show on Wednesday last and the brilliant assemblage of pretty things they have on exhibition has since been u subject for very favourable comment. 'lne curtain lias' been rung down oil the old, and with them now, alt things have become new. Not only are the goods new, but to a large extent they are novel, and novelty iu dress is supposed to count, for something in the' luind of the woman who takes a pride in robing herself neatly. Whether it does actually count for anything ; need not be discussed here; suffice it, to say that Ballantyne's have tho goods for sale, and it is immaterial to them What motive.prompts the purchase. They have aimed - at- providing -stocks which will cause the purse to open automatically, and it will bo matter for surprise if their efforts do not meet with the success anticipated. ': A glance at the millinerv - room :nt once conveys the impression that the ladies have no idea of adopting the nohat craze, for the galaxy there to be seen is "truly bewildering. The .new shapes- at once commend themselves, and -the floral adornments—well they are beyond - description on paper. It may be ' mentioned, however, that among tbe llower trimmings, tne beau-, tiful English rose .predominates. The colours or tho hats are varied to suit all complexions and ail tastes, and she would be hard to please who could not select one-which appealed to the wearer as "jlist the loveliest creation imagineuble."" There are hats for walking in, and motoring in, hats for everyday use and special occasions, • haUs. lit lor a princess, and ' hats . to suit the million.

Of ladies' coats aiid jackets the range is also very large. There are some specially line tweed motor coats with trimmed leather collars and ; cuffs,, as well as dust coats in, light alpacas and tweeds, and many others, all in. tho latest styles. Then there are leather boas and ruffles all in the latest makes and colours. ' In costumes there aie uiany charming models. The tashionable colours are all represented, and the numerous little eteetras winch show tasto aud refinement are. carefully represented. Among soiiio of the newest trimmyigs are ilussiaii braids and buttons in aeJf colours., Costumes in light cloths and siik eoHeniies promise lu be worii a good deal this suinmer, and they "make up" exceedingly well. There aro striped eolieiiues, , c'rencli blouse robes, in linen, batiste, and cottons the,. colours and the , pjitterns being very striking. The couurs include reseda, saxe blue,, tabae, nav> mole, prunelle, mordore, royal, etc. Besides these costumes there are others of lineu ami coltoii, 111. all colours ana in styles which are right up to the. demand .of the times. Of. underskirts there is a great : variety and among tuesc may -be iiieiitioneu tUe new ac-cordeou-pieated, and ' cotton underskirts. New styles m blouses are also to be seen, some with florally embroidered. silk irouts being specially attract live. Then there are tea go« lis in the most recent shapes and tones, in dela'iues and Hanneis and with very pretty trimmings. Of dress goods there is a Very wide selection, the striped Sicilians being very handsome . -ju" appearance, and ot outstanding, merit. Then also there are 6atin cloths, some uf tho most striking colours being rose tie barre, amehhyst, saxe blue, jiaon, and all tones between these i shades. Dresses are made up on the premises at short notice, aud patrons have the. Assistance of experts in coining to a decision on the important question 'as to how'and in what colours they should be robed. Uf dainty little lines such' as laces and ribbons, peterpan collars and sots, lace jabots and ties, etc., there is a great range from which to 'select, the shopper being Teally spoiled through too great a selection from which) to choose. The tulle and chiffon ruffles with satin ends, easily-claim attention by the admiring eye, and the modistes say that these will be very much worn this season. The iiew hat squares and' scarves also promise to lie very popular.

Thorn is a groat assortment. of .new all-over lace ,:is well as of silk, glace, and floral ribbons. The sunshades, with their pretty colourings and richly ornamented handles were perhaps never nicer in appearance than they are this year, while in gloves and hosiery, 15a!lantyne's were surely . never better stocked, a feature ft the hosiery, being tho embroidered fronts and the coloured silk clocks. Belts are seen in many pretty colours, including Horn! silk belts, tinsel belts, leather helts, etc.' The new hand embroidered linen goods aro a delight to the eye, ami loudly proclaim tho skill and patience of those responsible for their make-up. from Ireland and Japan these arc chiefly drawn, the Japanese turning out some goods, such as tray cloths, coseys, duchess cloths, supper and tea clotbs, pillow shams and bed spreads of exceedingly pretty design. Ladies will find much to interest them too, in the cotton dress department ; and coming lastly to the men's department, it has to be said that this continues to maintain the high standard of excellence set by Ballantyne's many years ago. In the tweed department are to be seen all the newest tweeds-and latest patterns —tweeds suitable for men or boys, and for line or rough weather. There is a very wide range from which to chose, either in suit iengths, or in ready-to-wear garments. In lieadwear the new season's hats are ;rll displayed, these including straws, soft felts, and the latest style of narrow brimmed hard hats. The new silk ties, the. handkerchief ties, Ceylon shirts , neglige shirts, and tunic shirts, not to mention tho fancy sox and a hundred and one other little accessories, are all worthy of the attention of those who require such things. Taken altogether Ballantyne'3 exhibition of this season is one which does them credit.