Fashions Up-to-Date

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 9, 1 November 1919, Page 29

Fashions Up-to-Date

[By Dolobeb]

A Crepe Nightdress. I cannot say that the shops lacked beautiful and tempting things in the way of underclothes during war time, but I do think that there were many people who denied themselves the pleasure of wearing them, and these can now allow themselves to be a little extravagant and indulge in the fripperies which are dear to nearly every woman's heart. There is one thing that most women have by now discovered, and that is that lace and daintiness are not necessarily synonymous in underwear but that the

loveliest of garments, with not an inch of lace anywhere about them, are now made by women who have the gift of being able to embroider. These wear, too, just about three times as long as a lace trimmed garment, especially where the laundry is not done at home, and they don't have to be continually mended. I saw a dainty nightdress lately made of white cotton crepe with bands of pale blue crepe round neck and sleeves, and run through slips at the waist with wide pale pink ribbon. It was pretty enough for anything, and yet had not even any embroidery to help it. ®. <§&' ® Black and White. It seems- a pity that black and white by national custom should express sorrow. It is such a pretty combination in dress, so cool, so restful-looking for the hot weather, and so inexpressibly neat and smart in every season that it should not belong to anything ugly and unhappy. Black and white is never out of fashion, is always popular, and can hold its own with any colour, even the very latest favourite, whatever that shade may happen to be. For simple styles, for smart models, for any manner of frocking, from a heavy winter costume to a cotton house-dress or elaborate evening gown, black and white can fit the occasion and look the part desired. It can be worn by the youthful, by the middle-aged, and even by the old lady who consents to grow old gracefully. It can be striking, conspicuous even, and it can be ordinary. SB> 9> 9 ■ A Touch of Black. This is a fashion note that has returned. A black bow on a white or coloured shirt blouse is a touch that goes right out of fashion for a short time, and then is reintroduced, usually by the young girl. A loopy bow of narrow black ribbon, a soft ordinary bow of black taffeta or crepe-de-chihe, and a long-ended bow of satin

are all favourites. There is, too, the popular narrow black ribbon velvet which is worn under the turned-down collar of the light blouse, and has two ends hanging loosely in front. A very attractive addition to a simple cotton voile afternoon frock is a big black student bow. tig> 9> 9 Tortoiseshell the Rage. Tortoiseshell is immensely popular at present, and is being used in a variety of ways. A very favourite hair ornament is one of those large Spanish tortoiseshell combs so popular in the sixties, but if wearing one of these care must be taken how it is put on. At the theatre lately a woman wore an immense one, sticking straight up in the middle of lier hair, and it so obstructed the view that a man sitting behind her asked her to remove it Strings of beads with elaborate pendants and umbrella handles are two other ways in which tortoiseshell is employed. I have a beautiful pair of earrings, of this material inset with gold, which I have never worn, as I thought they would look conspicuous, but now that so much tortoiseshell is to be seen, I think I might venture to appear in them. tig> @> &> Hair Brushes. If you wish to keep your hair in good condition, it is absolutely necessary that your brushes should be kept clean. Many women are afraid of ruining expensive brushes by too much washing. 11 the brush is of the sort which has its bristles s.et in rubber, then you can clean it with dry bran, rubbing it in as you would rub orris powder into the hah-; then comb, shake, and rub it out of the brush. But for other brushes, a dip of the bristles in a strong solution of ammonia and water or borax and water is the best thing. Do not leave the brush in the water; simply dip it in .several times, then shake and dry in the air. If the bristles have lost their stiffness or elasticity, first wash them in hot water and ammonia, then in water to which salt has been added. <© ■ <8 <§9 Feather is a trimming on some of the-latest hats; it is alsoi seen on frocks. ® ® © A plain, lemon-coloured blouse is quite distinctive with a fow choice white pearl buttons. <& <SS ® Brushed wool and tiny coloured beads are woven together in pretty designs for medallions on blouse, jumper, and tunic frocks. © ® $ Large eyelets worked round in coloured silk are a novelty on underwear in place of the usual beading for threading ribbon. ® ® © The latest fashions in jumpers are all of the short, wide pattern, just a few inches below the waistline, hanging loose and full from the neck, or a few gathers at the sides are held in place by narrow bands or fancy ornament. ®$ . ® One can buy ten cents' worth of almost anything now for thirty cents. —Toledo Blade;