STRAIGHT OR CURLY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 10

STRAIGHT OR CURLY

TYPE OF HUMAN HAIR. ‘•The classification of human races sometimes depends upon a hair,” said Mr, Gilbert Archey, director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, in a lecture recently. The two extremes of human hair were the type which hung straight and lank and that which was curly. Whether hair was straight or curly depended fundamentally upon the temperature of the climate in which a race lived. The hair of people in cold climates grew straight from fairly deep roots and the hairs were circular.

In warmer climates, however, the human skin became thinner so as to increase heat radiation. The result was the follicles, or roots, of the hair were forced on an angle and compressed to an extent. The compression flattened the hair, so that a crosssection became oval instead of circular. It was this ‘‘flattening” that caused hair to curl, just as a wood shaving would naturally curl.

“It must not be imagined that these developments can take place in a few generations,” said Mr. Archey. Thousands of years were occupied in the process and the characteristics of the hair were most valuable in classifying races.

POINTS FOR WELL-DRESSED WOMEN.. Stripes give a chance for the new cunning of the dressmaker. Cleverlyplaced stripes that emphasise the moulded hip line of a perfect figure and then flare out in a wide godet hem are a remarkable achievement. For evening wear the flower cluster is especially popular for emphasising the cut of the decolletage, a posy being placed at the waistline at the back, where it often is used also to confine the draperies of the collar or scarf. Cotton voiles, which always look so springlike and cool are offered in a great variety of tonings. At least one voile frock is indispensable in the summer wardrobe, and there should be no difficulty in finding one to suit the individual taste this year, for their patterns and colours repeat all those introduced in higher-priced fabrics. Ribbon and velvet sashes that tie demurely around the waistline with a big bow and long ends that sweep the floor are returning to the fashion spotlight.

Width is still accented in the smart shoulder seams of dresses, suits and coats. Evening wraps have ruffled and fluted shoulder caps inserted in the shoulder seam of the sleeves, and many chic daytime dresses have an extra epaulet-like should section to attain additional width.

High neck lines are still in fash-ion-tight, demure neck lines are featured on every dress from smart, slim daytime things to formal clinging evening gowns. Even the casual, comfortable sweaters have neck lines that enclose. Some of the newest models frankly cover the entire neck and throat with swagger turtle neck collars.

What is there about the wide belt which appeals so much to the Parisienne? After rather reluctantly abandoning it last season she has suddenly decided to wear it again. Some of those seen in the dyatime look as though they were stiffly boned. Still, this waist trimness goes well with the wlde-shoulder vogue. For the evening, wide sashes are being worn, and one or two smart women are experimenting with amusing belts of their own designing. Evening gowns this summer show two distinct silhouettes—the organdi and chiffon type, with frills and flounces trimming skirt and bodice, and the plain, straight, more sophisticated looking dress. It is amusing to hear people arguing about their respective merits. In anything, weight of opinion is on the side of the plainer gown, but many women show themselves in both, turn and turn about, so as to prove that they can make a naive and frilly dress look sophisticated. Some people still lean to the masculine in their attire and smart checked suits—usually in some shade of blue, are very much worn. Very often, though, these have some softening touch such as an organdie bow or blouse. Navy and white, and black and white are as popular as ever and while some wear outsizes in hats, others are stUl faithful to the gob and turban type of headgear. A FINGER WATCH. In the Gold and Silver Room of the London Museum has just been placed a fine collection of jewellery presented by Lady Cory. It Includes a number of sets, each consisting of necklace, earrings and brooch, all of gold with precious stones and notable examples of the jeweller’s art from the years 1780 to 1850. Others items are gold brooches in the form of feathers set with gems, and a very small watch with diamonds and pearls and worn on the finger. A new exhibit In the Tudor Room Is a dressing-case of the days of Queen Elizabeth. It is of wood covered with crimson velvet worked with silver thread. When the case Is opened it shows a