Fashions Up-to-date

Observer, Volume XXXVII, Issue 44, 7 July 1917, Page 21

Fashions Up-to-date

By Myra

THE sales are now with us, and they will provide us with a good opportunity of furnishing up our wardrobes. We must not forget, however, that everything is now considerably dearer, and that the old sale-time prices cannot possibly prevail. So many French and English factories are altogether closed/others are doing war-work, and those producing textile fabrics are hampered by reduced staffs. Then, there is also the difficulty of carriage and the increased freight to be reckoned with, making the goods so much more expensive.

Any material offered at a. reasonable price is a bargain. Later on the cost will be still greater, and we must expect a scarcity. The wise woman, who knows what she will require during the coming spring and summer, will not neglect her opportunity. There will be real bargains in serge, gab. cloths, tweeds, tartans, and plaids;and short lengths, in particular, are marked at extraordinarily low prices. And in these days of mixed materials, short lengths can be used to good advantage.

These are in great request, and lengths of good trimming, remnants of fine imitation lace, pieces of figured and embroidered net, and silks, satins, and dress materials are all desirable acquisitions, and more especially so when they cac be made up at home.

Renovations must also be considered, and many gowns will look fresh and almost new if invested with some tunic or over-dress in the prevailing style. Pelerines and deep hems of fresh material will alter a day-gown, or some fine voile or ninon and, a modicum of effective trimming, will give a fresh attraction to an otherwise well-worn evening gown.

Two widths of voile will produce the average over-dress, such as the " chemise " and the tabard and jumper styles, therefore it is only a question of length as to the quantity required. An

excellent plan is to take the measurement quite from the highest point of the shoulder, and allow an extra quarter of a yard for hems and trimmings. Sleeves require an extra yard if the fabrio is over forty inches wide, or a yard and a half if it is only about thirtysix inches, or less.

The velvet remnant is worth consideration, as it comes in for many things, from a yard and a half of the narrow millinery type, for a toque or small chapeau •r for a sleeveless vest-bodice to wear over a stuff-dress. With from three yards and a half to four yards and a half of double-width taffeta, and two yards or so of voile, you can make a pretty home gown to several designs, and two yards of double width material of the silky semi-transparent kind should form a really smart blouse.

Georgette, crepe de chine, ninon, and satin grenadines are useful bargains, and not to be overlooked. With odd lengths of pointed, scalloped, or motif laoe a couple of yards of voile or ninon, and just a small remnant of the narrowest fur, you can turn out a daintily smart jumper to wear over an old evening skirt, or if you invest in rather more material you can have a sleeved over-dress.

Blouses of the plain untrimmed type are often picked up at bargain prises, particularly those in white or pale-colour-ed soft silks, and two or three shillings spent on remnants of trimmings will make such a blouse quite smart and dressy.

Striped silks are generally cleared out at these sales, and four yards makes a full blouse with long sleeves, and these are admirable with coat and skirt costumes. Again, too, the striped silk makes useful petticoats if arranged on a thin dress lining, and five yards allows for quite a nice full skirt if a suitable pattern is selected.