Fashions and Furbelows

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18545, 20 August 1928, Page 12

Fashions and Furbelows

NOTES BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS,

THE GAIETY OF DRESS. NOVELTIES IN THE SALONS. Life is very gay this season! You realise its gaiety more in the evening, perhaps, than during the clay, though sports and. afternoon frocks are not lacking in brightness. The printed and painted chiffons for evening are so lovely that it seems airnost a pity to encroach upon their beauty with decorations of sequins, pearls, crystals and the like. Vet this happens in a good many cases, as, for instance, the painted chiffon in which the scattered flowers are outlined with glittering crystal beads. One designer exploits a new evening neckline in a most interesting gown of white taffetas printed with a vague design in black. The corsage fits close to the base of the throat in front, while the back is V-shape, and the tight little bodice is laced up the back, from the waistline to the point of the V, with black ribbon velvet! Below the lacing the bodice develops into a bustle, and below this again the skirt falls in dull folds to the ankles. Another intriguing diversion in the realm of evening toilettes is the heartshaped corsage of the ’eighties. A fascinating expression of this vogue is a dress in black spot net, the fitting bodice of which is rucked down the centre back and front and finished at the top with a fold of black ring velvet. The gown is held up by some invisible agency, for neither sleeves nor 6traps mar the smooth whiteness oi the wearer’s shoulders. The bustle effect is seen on a good many afternoon and evening gowns. It is often suggested by full folds of the fabric, by broad ribbons, by bunches of tulle or lace, or, in the case of an evening model, by a cluster of artificial flowers. Patchwork is not confined merely to 1 cushion covers and bedspreads. It is extremely modish in the wardrobe, a delightful sports jumper being composed . entirely of harlequin diamonds in crepe de chine of various colours, a.l joined together in the approved patchwork fashion. The jumper is lined with thin Jap silk. Another attractive sports jumper is carried out in a fabric resembling fine natural-coloured canvas, darned in a broken cretonne design with fine wools in bright Rumanian shades. The plain skirt is turned up. at the hem with similar darning. Coloured veils are favoured by some modern brides. One recently affected a green tulle veil, while another more beautifully wore a sunshine yellow one ! with her white satin, pearl-embroidered gown. V Lizard dyed to pale shades of blue, . rose and green, is used a good deal on sports and tailored toilettes. Narrow [ bands of it are applied at the hems , of skirt, and coat and over the pockets. Often it forms the collar, and sometimes even, the tie; similarly it appears . on the simple hat and on the gaunt- , lets of gloves. Of course bag and shoes are cn suite. Bandana buttonholes provide the latest cheery note on navy or grey tailor-

er frocks and suits. Genuine bandana handkerchiefs, in all their brightest colours, are twisted and turned about to make really delightful “flowers,” without being cut or damaged in any way. Dyed mother o’ pearl makes pretty necklaces. In a soft green shade, it is cut into leaf shapes and the “veins” arc painted in a darker green tint. These “leaves” are then strung together to make a charming necklet which encircles the base of the throat. —Diana Dane. PATCHWORK CUSHIONS. LEND COLOUR AND CHARM TO YOUR ROOMS. Patchwork is all the rage! But instead of the careless medley of oldfashioned patchwork, queer geometrical patterns are the order of the day. Coloured cloth makes even more effective cushions than silk or velvet—and, of course, is very much cheaper! A fascinating colour scheme for one of these cushions is grey, beige, dull brown, with a patch or two of orange and jade. Greens, blues, lemon, and grey intermingle well. DARNING AS A DECORATION. To be fashionable this year when our clothes do not boast patches and incrustations of contrasting colours, they must be darned. Darning in wool looks particularly attractive on the 1 new loosely woven woollen fabrics which compose so many two and threepiece suits—and certainly give an “expensive” air to the simplest clothes! Of course, you can choose any shape you like for darning, too.