CUP DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10302, 6 November 1911, Page 1

CUP DAY.

FH-OM A WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW. To Riccarton once more. Here we go, after many doubts and fears, not doubts of whether we should go at all, bien entendu, but whether the day would allow us to don our much-thought-out Cup frocks, which were chosen with such care and studied so completely in. every detail. Veiling is the fashion now, veiling in every shape and form, veiling of gowns, of embroidery, of hate, even of flowers. So the day apparently made up its mind to be veiled, too, and dark and dull clouds loomed in the distance over the Port Hills. Well, so much the better, for at any rate we all went prepared for what Fate might send in the way of weather. For my part, I temporised with Fate, and so did many others. In other words, we were prepared for any event, from brilliant sunshine to blighting storms, for did we not remember the fate of hats and gowns a year or two ago P But what is the use of living at ail if one does not take a few risks? At all events that seemed to bo the opinion of most visitors to Riccarton on Saturday, for in spite of a dull, rather threatening morning the gowns were resplendent and charming, and the women looked better than ever in the summer 'fashions for 1911. Never, I think, have there been more beautiful and dainty gowns at Riccarton Racecourse. Tho present mode is for simplicity of form and straightness of Hue, but nevertheless, what beauty and value can be crowded on to that same demure simplicity I There are no extra puffs, very few trains, scanty skirts and straight lines everywhere. "Very woll," says Dame Fashion, " I do not want fulness, so i shall place one material on top of another. They must be used up somehow." Hence we yet tho veilings, which subdue the colours or give a misty appearance to la re aw! embroidery. Nothing stands out with sharp lines, but subdued halfeefcovs of colour reach us in the sheeny sparkle that suddenly shows itself as the wearer moves along, disclosing go'd- and silver trimmings under folds of ninon or chiffon. How all the world seemed to move towards it iecarl/On on Saturday. Car after ear, motor alter motor, and every kind of vehicle imaginable turned that morning towards the delectable course where m> much was to be won—-or lost—in tho way of pleasure and excitement. Come to the carnivrl, one and all, and let politics and business alike go for cue gay and festive week. It only ctnnes once a year, and tho fun of it is like a draught of cool spring water (J wouldn't daro to say wine!) to the tired traveller in the desert. It is spring time, and the joy of life runs in our veins as the sap runs in the young treed. .'Best of ail, we have pretty freaks to show and some have a different one for each. day. Do not shake your head, dear philosopher, if you should deign to glance at these linos. ''The fashion wears out more apparel than the man " (or woman in this insfc.i!n"e). Cup day and Carnival "Week bring employment to many and pleasure to many more. So let us away.

More we all go. Surely everyone is off to fhccartoa ! No, liero is a cart, (Jriven by a man, racitijr, towards tov. u. R-}0})lo sro really working to-day, although we f nvolous piftasure-seokers can scarcely beiievo it. 1 ask you all, have you not a great respect for the moti or woman who sets i'uco towards town when all are bent on going the other way? To leave the crowd, and the In!!, awl the sweet country scents, and the flcwers of the racecourse, to say no tiling of horses and music, and

face, on a day like that, "the common round, the daily task." It is something like heroism, to my mind. Hers we are, all is well, too. The day is cloudy but no rain falls, so the air is cool and fresh. Never did tho gardens at Ricearten look better than on Saturday. Masses of flowering shrubs lent their sweetness to the air. Gowns of all hues brighten ed_ the lawn, and the stand, which rapidly filled to overflowing. This season's gowns are particularly dainty, in colour especially. A new note of fashion was struck ill the tunic over-dress. Sometimes it commences on the bodice, which is cut in surplice style, and is joined to a two-piece tunio with a semi-Empire effect. Needless to say, the high waists are a sine qua lion. One saw nothing else, even in coats and skirts, of which there were Very few, everybody inclining to warns the Empire gown for smartness and grace. Many tunics were edged with fringe, which lent much finish to the costume. For sleeves the kimono or Magyar style seems inevitable; but what shall I say about hats? True, many are larger and more becoming than ever, but it is a fact- not to be gainsaid that the shapes ,are .so variable that the famous one in " Our Miss Gibbs.," which became another style on removing the brim, might be very feasibly carried out in reality. In gowns, apparently simplicity and the. straight silhouette are aimed at; but oh, simplicity, what extravagances are committed in tiiy niuua! And many a tale could be tela of the " fosteningsup " of the so-called simple little costume on Cup Day in the morning. Her Excellency Lady Islington, who arrived with Lord Islington and suite, was gowned in a charming frock of palest grey satin draped with chiffon, and she wore a cloak or chnrmeuse of the same shade, which, foil in graceful folds from her shoulders. The cloak was richly embroidered in grey, and with it her Excellency wore sv hat of fine whiie straw lined with black, and profusely trimmed with white plctsreuse plumes. The Honorable Joan Diekson-Poynder, who accompanied her Is/dyship, was prettily gowned, in a childish frock "of white embroidered muslin, end she wore a Leghorn hat with white ostrich feathers.

Miss Staple-ton-Cot-ten was _ in a charming gown of Saxe-blue veiled in chiffon of the same shade. The Magyar blouse was richly landed with perles of the colour, of tho dress. Another lady accompanying her Excellency wore a smart coat of biscuitcoloured cloth, and a toque of the same shade of straw with lace crown, and trimmed at the back with a profusion of wild flowers and leaves. Another member of the party was gowned in white cachemire d-? soie, the bodice veiled in lace, black hat and feathers. A handsome <rown was of steel-grey silk, a hat of the same shade had plumes to match, and the gown was covered with a dust-coat of black ninon. Another stylish gown v.-as of French-grey silk, covered in black chiffon, white guimpe, and a large black hat with black and white pleureuse plumes. A pale grey chifion gov/n over blue foundation was exquisitely embroidered with Oriental colouring, and was worn with a straw hat trimmed with brown velvet ribbon and cream wheat-ears. A very handsome grey satin was worn with a tunic of ninon edged with fringe, and a black hat and plumes. A black locked smart with a. black chiffon clofik, black hat and grey feathers and black ieathor boa. One of the handsomest among many handsome frocks was of cream satin, veiled in cream voile, all richly embroidered with deep bonds of gold, and worn with, a black liat and gold wheat ears. Another lovely gown was of white chtumeuso, with small coat and trimming of 2*icli Irisli lace, and a black hat. A grey crepe de chine was daintily trimmed with bands of black ribbon, while here and there black and white striped silk was inserted. This was worn with a largo white straw ha'.; and black plumes. A striking and original costume was of blacii satin, with surplice and tunic of white embroidered muslin, and a black lacecovered hat with large black plumes. A gown of biscuit-coloured lace was most handsome. It was veiled in royal blue chiffon, and worn with blue liat and pleureuse plumes of the same shade. A pale pink satin gown was very dainty, veiled in grey, and worn with a pale grey hat and pink feathers. An Empire gown of pale grey figured foulard appeared in conjunction with a white hat, and black and white feathers. A frock of cream satin was veiled in brown striped marquiesetto, trimmed with bands of brown satin, and worn with a lnrpe high-crowned white straw hat with brown and whito feathers.

A black and white .striped Empire gown made a handsome appearance with surplice tunic and buttons of black satin, relieved here mid there by touches of Oriental embroidery, the hat of black and white straw edged with blaok, had white feathers. One very dainty gown was entirely composed of point lace, and worn with a cream straw hat and black plumes.

A white embroidered frock of niousssline was very elective with a. black liat and cerise flowers. A grey gown was worn with, a large black hat, with emerald plume ;.nd pink roses, and later the wearer donned a handsome sealskin coat. A smart Empire gown of grey niuon, richly braided over silk, was worn with grey boa and grey silk hat and plumes. A frock of rich cream Limerick lace appeared with :i large black hat and plumes. A heliotrope, cloth coat and skirt bad a hat oC cream straw with large cream roses, veiled in chif:on. A very pretty white mousseline had a pale blue sash, black velvet hat and white feathers.

A gown of faint pink striped voile looked well with a hat of pale grey, trimmed with pink and white roses. A pale blue satin Brnpire gown had a tunic of white niuon, and was worn with a bl«ek hat and white feathers. An emerald green tharmeuse had a striking appearance, being veiled in mole chiffon, and worn with a green hat with pinnies. An Empire gown with white silk foundation was trimmed with bands of white embroidery, and veiled in blue chiffon, the hat was covered with white plum as, and a. white stole and muff finished the costume.

As will bs seen from the description of tho gowns, j/rey is certainly the favourite slw.de> this summer, particularly that dainty colour, French trrey. Emerald green is also favoured, but moro especially in touches on costume or hat, rather than for offljnre gowns. Then blues of various shades ore also much worn. It is sad to harp to rah.le of so happy n day that it rained ere the end oi tli© racss. Rut as hefore-mentioned, vie had been dulv prspnr?d in t.jie morning by the cloudiuosp of the shy, ond there were few iudred who had not brought wraps and umbrellas to j'-rotocb thorn. Thus ciid.-d a most enjoyable day, the forerunner, as \y? hope, of a li:>ppy and delightful week.