Fashions and Furbelows.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 13

Fashions and Furbelows.

Notes by Special Contributors

BATHING DRESS FASHIONS. Fashions in beach and bathing costumes are simpler than they were. The dress intended for serious swimming is very plain. It usually consists of shorts and a tunic made in some unshrinkable woollen material. As a rule, the shorts are dark in colour—navy or black is the most fashionable the tunic, which 1 is sleeveless and low-neck- : ec£ is lighten It is often brightened by gaily-coloured stripes. Sometimes a sleeveless cardigan in the same material is added for wear on the beach. Shorts' of black washing satin, allied with a tunic of cream, ornamented with pipings of the black satin, made a distinctive costume. To complete it there, was a .gay bathing wrap in scarlet and black, and the bathing shoes, cap and bag to hold the costume were scarlet, too. Turkish towelling, which is dyed all shades and woven - into many effective designs, is used for a great many wraps. Rubberised cretonne and printed linen fashion some, and printed linen is also used for some effective beach ensembles or three-piece suits, more suitable, perhaps, for sun-bathing than sea-bathing.

NATURAL BEAUTY. Of late .years a kind of artificial beauty has been in vogue. We have become accustomed to artificially reddened lips, to complexions that are obviously “ made up,” and to eyes that are darkened. Now, however, people are realising that there is greater charm in natural beauty. Cosmetics are, of course, still being used, and probably they always will be, just as they have been used for hundreds of years. Many beauty specialists, however, are returning to the methods used in the days of our great-grandmothers. The greatest aids to beauty, it is realised to-day, are good health, faesh air, plenty of pure water taken internally and applied externally, adequate sleep and simple, nourishing food that contains plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. Simple remedies, to be found in the kitchen and garden, can be used for small blemishes. For instance, thin slices of cucumber applied to the skin will rid it of sunburn and help to keep a, way wrinkles. Tomato has a cooling effect on the skin, and will take away ink stains from the fingers. Lemon juice, as everyone knows, whitens a discoloured skin, and will remove stains causeed by peeling fruit and vegetables. Mixed with glycerine, lemon juice, when applied to the skin, will prevent stmburn. As a cure for sunburn there is nothing better than pure olive oiL Rose-water and glycerine is a mild

astringent. Milk is excellent for the skin, and pads of cottonwool soaked in sour milk can be used to cleanse the face. If a little cottonwool soaked in milk is placed over closed eyelids, the eyes will be rested and refreshed. Bran and oatmeal are useful .in softening hard water, and washing the hands and face with oatmeal and water instead of soap and water is a good idea when one is particularly dirty. White of egg applied to the face and allowed to dry on is used by many who want to restore youthfulness to a tired lace. . ; - ■ > :

WASHING A KNITTED JUMPER SUIT.

Make a good lather of soap flakes, and when cool enough immerse thegarment and souse it up and down several times. If the suit is soiled, repeat the process. Rinse in warm water that has a spoonful of flakes dissolved in it, squeezing it as dry as possible. Lay it flat to dry on a sheet on the grass if possible. Don’t hang it tip, or it'will stretch all out of shape. WHEN WASHING SILK, Careful wringing of silk is essential, especially Jhe knitted variety. Silks and stockinettes stretch, and they quickly lose their shape if twisted and pulled about while they are wet. The right way of freeing silk from water is practically not to wring it .at all, but just to press the water gently out of it. Lift the garment from the tub, squeeze it very gently in your hands, then fold it in a towel, hold it against the side of the bath, and use your hand or any flat articl6 to “ push ” the Water out with.