DRESSES OF THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16455, 17 June 1921, Page 9

DRESSES OF THE WEEK.

IN AND ABOUT THE CITY, (Written lor “ The Star. s ’) The enthusiasm over the winter sales continues unabated, and many women .spend hours and hours looking for clothes ‘‘‘heavily upduced.” Quite a long time has passed since sales have been so interesting Certainly there are bargains of a sort wlieli haver been conspicuous by their absence for a very long time. Will the prices go up again after the sales? Ask a shopman, and he will smile and tell you: “It is hard to say, madam, but Before you know 7 where you are you are couvi red that now is the golden opportunity, and you plunge accordingly. By our own common, sense we know- that it would he wiser to “wait and see,” but the sale lever is at its height. Socially the country in general, and apparently Christchurch in particular, is clnii -very dull—arid there appears to he a niencton; in the very clothes that women arc wearing. It almost seems ns though fashion has become stationary, so few striking or unusual Lmlcfes have been seen lately within tho city’s precincts. The coat frock gnir.x more followers each week, and in the efforts to evolve “ Something differ * p " tow and again one sees a frock that is smart enough to he original. But on the whole the followers of the übiquitous coat-frock and they are legion—adhere to straight narrow lines and. conventional embroideries. Tailored costumes are always modish, and when nicely made and put on a neat figure nothing could look nicer. For 1 Tie woman who is her own dressmaker, however, tho one piece frock has proved a boon and a blessing. It is especially satisfactory for indoor wear, whether in the office or the home, and it saves blouses. A slight variation of tlie one piece frock can be obtained by the combination of two materials. one material forming a frock coming three-quarters in length, the underskirt of a contrasting material showing as a. wide hem. The wife of n well-known pianist, herself a vocalist, wears a frock of this kind, the tunic of navy serge' falling over a petticoat of blue velvet. With this is usually worn, a small black velvet hat trimmed with a jade ostrich lip. A navy blue cloth costume was unusually pleasing in its trimming. It had an irregular design in bright blue and buff soutache, which appeared on the collar, on the revers and on the cuffs. In keeping with the costume was a close fitting toque of dark coloured straw brightened with roval blue ribbon. In addition a. lovelv white fox fur was worn. Someone who likes pretty clothes, who is always prettily dressed, and who is a. dentist's wife, was worthy of admirafion one afternoon this week whilst making sale purchases. She wore an extraordinarily smart example of the (rape costume. The cape of navy blue cloth was loose and wide, and not held in at the waist at all. It was trimmed elaborately with, black soutache and lined with figured silk in a bright shade of henna. The skirt was of the same navy material. On her charming grey hair was worn a soft J um-o’-Shanter of henna velour which was most becoming. A costume of distinction was one worn by a Pnpanui lady., who also lias a penchant, for smart dressing. The Goat, three-quarters in length. was perfectly tailored, and flared gracefully from the waist to the hem. The skirt* had a slight fullness. A plain navy blue straw hat trimmed with navy blue ribbon was in very good taste, and went charmingly with the costume. Doing household shopping one morning in town a, stav-at-home girl who is soon to be married looked very neat and stylish. Her sax© hi no velour cloth costume was effectively trimmed with squirrel fur, her blue ribbon hat being trimmed with colon retd posies. Grey shoes and stockings enhanced the general smartness. A ribbed hand-knitted model frock found a. nice girl on whom to show itself ofl to advantage. The frock is of beige coloured wool relieved with mauve, and the wearer is a well-known Christchurch girl. With this frock a squirrel coat and a velour hat looked verv nice indeed.

Having tea in town with a friend, and in animated conversation over the tea cups, an attractive girl who lives on the North Belt looked well. She were a bright golden brown genii -

fitting cloth coat, trimmed with purple) velour cloth, and on her curly “bobbed” hair was worn a saucy black velvet cap trimmed with dangling silver and jade ornaments. One girl was .well turned out inn, dark green velour coat stitched splendidly with silk in a lighter shade, and worn with a wide, black hat. Quite#the most chic of all the coals seen in tho city, at least according to, Ulo writer's choice, was one expressed in navy 1 due reefer cloth. It was well mad© and adorned with buff sfcitchery, and heaver fur. Tho wearer carried a beaver muff to correspond, and wore a buff coloured hat. 1 said earlier that it had been a dull week as regards clothes, but the toilettes described are. undoubtedly exceptions, as each one had that indefinable something which denotes good taste, working in harmony with srrfchdSotne fur coats seen deserve mention. One of black seal and Russian fox in the new; barrel-shape was most elegant. Another exquisite coat, though much too heavy for the wearer, was of skunk, evidently made of the finest skins Yet another beautiful fur coat was of natural coloured musquash made with cuffs and collar of black musquash. The wearer of one of theso coats was caught in the rain, and her coat was so wet that she looked like “a drowned rat.” That is about the only time when the wearer -of a macintosh can crow over the wearer of a fur coni. T witnessed the scene when tho person in the wet fur coat met a friend who was wearing a macintosh, and I heard the latter laughingly tease the former. Reminds me of a picture oft it, party of motorists held up on a country load through a puncture, and a decrepitlooking old Imrse was being driven along by an old hayseed who, whilst passing the motor, flicked the whip at his horse and said in a. stage whisper. “Good old Charlie, you never have a puncture.” Tt. was his only chance to crow, and he made the best of it.