Dresses of the Week

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16922, 22 December 1922, Page 10

Dresses of the Week

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“STELLA "

There is good news for the short plump girl this season, and even she wlio is fat, fair, and nearly forty may take heart. All the present fashions tend to give height. Take the panels, for instance. You must near panels, and they may eithei be the let-in or the worn-outside variety. Sometimes siae panels attached to the hips by a piece of fur or gauging are so full and long that they are skirts in themselves. Then there are the ribbon panels, j which speak for themselves, and the ! back panel, which sweeps down to j the ground and turns itself into a I train. It doesn’t matter a scrap what j variety of panel you choose; each j helps to impart a deceptive air ol height and slimness. The same with hats and headdresses. The very newest hat shape shows a high pointed brim in front, and sometimes this, the front only. >s topped with a band of fur. Y o.i do not need me to tell you that sued a hat would add at least an inch lo your apparent height. How many of ns love buying hat* best? 1 think we all do. A new hat is more quickly noticed than a nov coat or frock. Wo are more conscious of it ourselves, and instinctively put- on our prettiest face to keep it company. Hair must he specially done and the nose more carefully powdered to meet the requirements of the new hat. That is why its effort is so tonic-y and stimulating. The next time a fit of black and hitter blues descends upon you. when you feel that only the cruel injustice cf life has brought you to where you nr? .— w hich is nowhere —buy on the spur of the moment a new hat. It’s worth it! Did you ever try to catalogue the number of different silhouettes a woman may boast this year and still be in the fashion? First there m the trim normal-waisted, tight-sloe ire outline —perfectly correct and indeed new ; then there is the loose-pouched over bodice and long-waisted silhouette, with panels dropping longer at the sides —still as smart as ever. Next is a very new French line, very much in favour —a rucked bodice fitting as far as the hips and then having a flaring hip-line-padded rolls of stuff

or else big flowers —and an uneven skirt. Then the trim-bodiced picture frocks with their hanffant skirts, etc* nally popular, and lastly, the flat, straight-hanging frocks called former ly te chemise” and now ‘“sheath.” wi‘li no belt to ent them, and frequently no sleeves. Five different silhouettes!. And there are minor ranenes or mo line, too, which one often sees. And if I were to begin to talk or coats, day or evening, you would see as much difference in that direction. There are short swinging capes, long-shape I cloaks, loose-sleeved but otherwise close-fitting wrap-coats. tight redingates with flaring mantey fur at close wrist and high collar band. Dove-grey marocain expressed a handsome gown worn hv a middle-aged woman. The bodice, long and pouch cd. was cross-over to the left side, showing a tucked vest of white georgette. There was a draped over-skirt, shorter on the left side, edged with black silk fringe, and the wide, swathed belt was tied in a loose knot, the ends falling below the skirt hem. Her black crinoline straw hat was lined with white georgette, and encircled with handsome ostrich feather-. An artistically designed afternoon gown of black marocain was embroidered in white silk. Tt bring straight from shoulder to hem. an 1 the wide girdle embroidered in silk and beads was placed very low on the hip* I wo loose side panels were embroidere i to match. The sleeves, of white georgette, were wide and very long, coming right don n ovei On these also bead embroidorv formed an effective scheme of ornament. A recent bride wore an unusual an 1 extreme!v beautiful gown of deep cream silk and wool lace artistic:*.!! v draped over a foundation of heavv cream satin. It was sliehtly pouched at the back, the side beii the hips to show the satin underskirt. A beautiful cream bead'd girdle was fastened on ea< a big cream plaoue. She wore ,* handsomely embroidered tulle v«=il and carried a sheaf of Christmas lilies. Her sister, the nnl- bridesmaid wor« a becoming frock nf blue and gold shot r-’ff.- 1 as. the long w: isted j finished with corded petals and th i sleeves cf piped strips of taffetas being

caught at the elbow over under-sleeve of georgette. Her black lace hat had ,t crown ol enilw sed satin cire and a wreath of vari coloured French flower Her bouquet was of pale pink sweet peas and maidenhair fern. This has indeed been a week of weddings. Another charming bride wore v. pretty frock of primrose Canton cbautifully embroidered with satisi beads. The bodice was slightly draped ir front, and the back was finished with three uncommon ornaments of satin and beads. The straight panels, neck and georgette sleeves were trimmed with silver. Her silver lace hat wan trimmed with primrose poppies and silver leaves, with streamers at the back ef narrow silver ribbon. A beautiful bouquet of loses shading from cream to buttercup gave the finishing touch to a most effective toilette. One of the most striking toilettes, geeu at a fashionable wedding, had a rather full skirt of black and white plaid and a short jacket of Russian I blouse outline, in heavy black peau cie soie. There was 210 belt, but the coac was cleverly draped at the waist and fastened down the left side with loveiy dark blue enamel buttons. 1 here was ■« j Jarge turn-over collar of the peau de ! e-cue, and over it a second collar of j dark blue rabbit, exactly the colour or ; the enamel buttons. I One or two pretty afternoon frocks ; have made their appearance during the 1 ' ve€ h. One was < s f cyclamen mauve crepe de chine, with square cut neclc ' ending above i the onlv trimming, being employed i** uld« r to hem. A notablv piVturesqu-.- hat of blade | velvet had a leather mount ar j ranged in a novel and effective manI nc-r a 1 the side. Another in petunia • velvet was verv broad-brimmed and had l lar ¥ e of tfa. sane shade I for its decoration. I v;n others were also noticeable. Or, i I war a becoming toque with the n».T 1 ll’ur** of brim. suggestive of a helmet. I :t war of burnt orange d.uvetsn with the crown, and a. cockade at the hack. of Wack velvet. The other was a small toque of brown panne with green and red parroqoets on either side. Its colouring was as harmonious as it ivas distinctive.