DRESSES OF THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 7

DRESSES OF THE WEEK.

IN AND ABOUT TEE CITY. (Written for the “ Star.") I is no exaggeration to say after fi.Te fashionless years that clothes are an all-absorbing interest—and. to the girl with a small allowance, an anxiety, Everything is so costly—prices are double wha-t they were in pre-war days. Engagements (not matrimonial ones) fall one upon the other in rapid succession, which makes it hard for the average woman to keep pace with the times. “How does she manage it?” says the Other Woman. The questioti remains unanswered. 11 Spends every penny on her back.' 1 says the envious ope. “Her back!’ says another. “ AA hy , it it’s her evening gowns yon refer to she must spend nothing at all. ,1 he Cat! But with only one costume and one evening gown a girl feels out oi it- In fact, it cant be done if one wants to be “ in the swim.” However, as one man acquaintance ot mine said., “AAhat does it matter? A pretty girl looks pretty whatever she wears, All very well, for the pretty girl, bat what about the plain girl? It is she who has my sympathy. Besides the pretty girl usually manages to see to it that ah© has’ plenty of clothes. Gno of the salient features of fashion is the mingling of splendour and simplicity in our clothing. One may wear an absolutely plain costume and bo correct and an elaborate evening gown of gorgeous material and intricate design and also be “the thing.” Referring again to the bodice without the back for evening dresses, the majority ol women do not natronise the very undressed mode, but some do. It certainly does not seem at all nice to see debutantes and others of the younger set going to these extremes-” The worid looks disapprovingly at the girl ?L J^ e ? teen . clad :.. in ultra fashionable garments and spoiling herself with artificialities, In addition many of the pris are adopting an affected manner, both in speech and m behaviour, which detracts from their charm considerIX u , ls a peeping assertion to make, and on that will meet certain amount of scorn, that it is the a debutante who is unspoilt and entirely natural. Biit it IS so. This is developing into a sermon, and !™° Wa b ts r f ad a 'treatise on tnanucis and morals in an article which dS? ™ th 9 tractive One of the most charming costumes seen of late was that worn bv a girl who is a frequent visitor to town. It was made jumper-wise, the material being bottle green stockingetto mast cfjcctiyciy trimmed wi th silver grov fur which appeared on the cuffs, collar ami on the hem of the skirt. A coquettish little toque of tore cle nigra, worn hfdi on the coiffure, trimmed with coloured bernes suited the wearer of this costunic to perfection. Another charming costume, this time b J the brid ? of a well-known architect ivns earned out in mvy blue doth, made simply, without even a collar. lfi o only contrast was i n the straight vestee made of lime-coloured artificial silk embellished with ombroideries in a conventional .square design. Vteth t-lus wa-s worn a navy bl Uo lucre straw hat adorned with glyccrined plumes. ■ ' A fashionable suit, worn on a tall a i dy W f s Ilmdfi of davk blue ri i^ rii r d ri 1 th an al “ost invisible 7 tfl j fcad - rite - costume was plainly cub and devoid of trimming. A pale blue crepe-dc-chiu© blouse and a, white bhiVfnnfh 11 ' f a - 6 b - ,Ue llnlnsr and Palo blue feather tnmnnng accompanied this charming toilette. vhi CO< lLf U< k Sldrt ? f black and vhite cloth, the pockets, rovers and colbraid C ”'; I b ° linr ,' ■ '"ii' ru,rTOU ' black >r-nd, and a plain black picture hat worn on a, fair girl was verv chic 2 Cme ff f , fasbidn and us a beautiful nine coloured stockingotto suit worn by a girl who has reFn a efend° hlT 'n A tO . N °' v . Zcal;illd from England. .I ho only trimming was ot cm broidery in. the same colou ring. A srnaU toque in the same shad© warworn. A juniper suit of oatmeal coloured btodrmgctte. bordered with vic-ux rose I*hiiv i observed on a, Christttouch girl tins week. A vieux rose velour hat, a vieux rose silk scarf, and the s mar ..esc shoos and stockings to match the costume, made this toilette a striking one. The boat-shaped hat is again in far°J ir ii Severs] boaniifuljy garbed iromou fl.tthe races wore them with elaborate costumes, but^the most becoming one expressed in silk straw of Chinese blue with a paler blue ostrich feather curled round the crown was worn with a smartly tailored navy blue costume. Goblin blue—a fashionable shade at present was chosen bv a, smartly dressed girl one day this week. The coat was sown-fitting, the skirt strain-fit, with two narrow timic-liko pleats "at the front and back, and the accompanying hat was of straw in the same becoming shade. . Irresistible did a striking-looking visitor appear in an elaborately' braided MOiGb coat irock, the long pointed back panel ending i„ a tassel and the front panel being edged with silk \ lovely marabout capo stole and a cloe* fitting i-urbau of metallic brocade further enhanced the loveliness of this gown. Ah ride-elect in a buff coloured ga- , bardino costume and a rose du Barn straw hat was admired in a crowded tearoom one afternoon durum +b© week. With her was a girl in a'mauvo frieze costume, whit© fox furs and white hat who also looked particularly nice. 1 A well fitting black doth coat and , skirt brightened with a touch of era©raid and gold brocade- sparingly intro ] duced on the small waistcoat, and woi n with a black toque trimmed wtih the same brocade, was noticeable on a Pa- 1 pa ”ii resident who always looks Veil. Uncommonly chic did a brunette look i last Saturday at, the races in a fashion- 1 ably cut coat aud skirt of terra-cotta 1 cloth, worn with a small close-fitting * hat competed of fine straw ornamented, f with a. terra-cotta mount. A black seol I cape looked well with this costa me. . 1 —STELLA. )