Fashions Up-to-Date

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 17, 27 December 1919, Page 29

Fashions Up-to-Date

[Bγ Dolores.]

Cape Coat-Frock. the early summer months the r cape will be seen. This is the ordinary coat-frock with a short cape at the back only falling from the neck and shoulder seams to a few inches below the waistline. In navy, a cape ol tms length is trimmed with three rows of black silk braid across the hem only, and similar rows axe on the wrists of the tight-fitting plain sleeves; while the coat-frock shows a big box pleat both back and front, and a wide, loose belt, with a little grey trimming on the round neck Snd below the belt in front This is a style for the tall, slim figure.

About Hats. Pink tissue material makes a pretty crown for the fashionable, email tbque; and, when the brim is covered in variously coloured pmk flowers, and a long grey veil thrown over the whole, the effect is very fascinating.

' One of the most fashionable materials now used in the making ot hats is satin in all colours—black and grey being the. most frequently Been. All satin hate are very, pretty —the crowns being gathered, the sides pleated, and the brims covered straight and plain, the.chape jwd colour forming the chief attraction. A change is when flowers are used, as, for instance, on a grey satm turned up on one side .and curving down to the other; the upper side of the brim is completely covered with pink roses, the grey and pink making a soft and refined contrast, no other, trimming being required. Black with white roses, and white with purple or orange, make equally pretty colouring on the hats of satin and flowers.

All black satin hats with feather aB trimming are the smartest wear for most occasions. ** . * A green hat suits a white complexion.

Renovating Hats. With a small hat consisting of a black straw crown and a small-made brim, a simple way to re-tnm it after thorough cleaning is to coverJfce brim, both upper and under edge with ordinary green crepe as used £r dress material, then arrange a wreath of tiny-coloured flowers all round the brim on the crepe as a foundation, and the hat is complete! This simple method may be applied to any cokrar of straw pro viled the trimmings are.inig>od contrast to the straw, aa red flowers on a red crepe brim, with crowds 3? black, greYs f*wn, gwen, and purple.

Blouses. Blouses, in the Summer, make one of the most economical points or dress. They are an absolute necessity, and there is no doubt tnat, with a good and varied supply or blouses and a couple of skirts, one can get through the summer very comfortably indeed. Holiday-ma-kers in particular will find them better than any other wear, and summ3i* blouses for day or evening ise ar i foremost in the new fashions. All the newest and most up-to-date designs in net, voile, finest embroidered muslins, georgette, ninon, and crepe de chine, may be noticed among thft season's gcods; ftnd the

clever home-worker may very easily adapt them to her particular needs. Lingerie blouses of softest mull muslin, organdie, or fine linen, are very beautiful; and though they may seem somewhat expensive at first sight, they are really economies, for they wash so well. Georgette or crepe ninon blouses are very often trimmed with filet insertion lace or medallions, while satin or crepe de chine are handworked in self or mul-ti-coloured embroideries.

Sailor-Knot Blouse. A pretty blouse in cream and yellow, and. without any lace, is a very smart affair when made Up as follows:—The body part is of cream silk or crepe de chine, and made quite loose and full. The sailor collar has two strips of lemon yellow, the same material as the bloUße and about an inch wide, inlet across the back about an inch apart, a wide hem of the cream material finishing the collar on all sides. The sleeves are loose, and with a cuff made of three strips of material, the central strip being lemon yellow, and all three joined together in crossbar stitch. A sailor knot of lemon yellow, tied in the usual way, completes the blouse. Cross-bar stitch is used in making the blouse throughout.

"Sports Coats." The thin "sports coat" is becoming almost a uniform. So much so, indeed, that women of fashion will not wear it! However,. that does not affect its popularity, apparently, for sports coats of all descriptions are to be seen, especially at the seaside >and at country health or holiday resorts. There is no other wrap that is quite so effective for slipping on at night, or in the late afternoon ; and, of course, the coat may be as simple or elaborate as one may wish. Those women who do not feel the cold, in their arms are wearing the sleeveless coats, and their chance of economical dressing is to be envied. It takes bo little stuff to evolve a sleeveless coat, and very often one may be cut down from a last season's garment with great success. A small length of new (contrasting) material may be used to bind neck, armholes, etc., and so do away with any evidence of previous wear. Over white or cream skirts these sports coats are always smart, and for outdoor wear look infinitely better than a mere blouse and skirt.