IN FASHION'S REALM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 March 1914, Page 2

IN FASHION'S REALM.

SOCIAL HEWS &m FASHIONS.

(By "Ma rguorite.")

UP-TO-DATE NOTES ON WHAT TO WEAK.

When should we begin ta!kii)c;,l'm-> ? Fairly early. Am everyone knows, one purchase generally suffice':'. For such reason whatever has to bo said should be prompt. There are furs ;iud furs. By this I mean real furs and mock. Then, in r cal furs there ore furs ana furg again. There are the very expensive and the moderately-priced. Also, there is the question of extent. Furs may cover a lot of square inches, or, being merely accessory, cover few. Wo can thank our stara—the stars of the Southern Cross—tlint we are'not some degrees of latitude farther down. Only Now Zealand and Tasmania provide the climatic setting for an elaborate display. Then who, no matter how ricli, ventures to emulate tlaContinental dame, whose furs may represent a fortune? There _ are fashions' in furs, as in other things. Changes, as a. rule, work in a circle, and.the cause h often accumulation. If stocks of any particular peltry pile up, they must bo moved. Ono year it is fox, another musquash. Fashion or no fashion, the trapper does,' his work, and what lie goto must be bought. The cheaper furs also have their turn. Thus some time ago grey squirrel was looked down upon. When the furriers decided it was time it moved, they turned it into muffs, jackets, stoles, etc. Then it became a one-season craze. Sometimes a fur that has been despised ig lifted by some unusual occurrence. Austrakhan is an example of it. It was not of much account till tlio Russian War Office used it for the soldier's hcad- ' gear. The law of supply and demand operates strongly with fur>>. Take black fox. A largo win for the year would be twenty skins. As a result a good one is worth a hundred pounds. The finest furs are becoming rarer; the inferior and mock more plentiful. The fashion of cutting furs up, treshaping them, and mixing with material or lace, permits of very advantageous uso. It ia not betraying any secret to say that the moat prolific asset for mock fur is the rabbit. A well-dyed rabbit skin will pass for otter. v lf perfectly shaved it will pass for seal. A recommendation for mock is that the dye used ia not liked by moths Natural furs not only cost money, but they require a good deal of attention. Dyed furs will be very fashionable this year. I mean in unusual colours. Then, fur-edging will b6 seen, as to crossed fronts of bodices and to finish tunics and .sleeves. Fur will play a very leading role in millinery, for surrounds, to border brims, and as tho basis of the entire hat. Fur gets will be comprehensive—hat,necklet, stole, and muff. As for styles, everything will appear that art has been able to devise, and good taste approve.

The least possession you can have is a necklet. An ermine type, which slipa one end through the other, is useful. Then, a .squirrel tail ruffle consists of neck-piece with four tails from ribbon rosette, this being inset with a velvet hat, the brim of which is similarly adorned. Skunk is a clear fur, and it is becoming dearer. Still, a necklet is noti a great consideration, nor, for that matter, a muff. At the same time something depends on t!io skins. A long stole of the best, with muff in keeping, will cost a great deal. Natural wolf is a full silky selection, and a well-matched stole and muff of same will give pleasure. Patagonian fox iy a light-coloured fur of great beauty, but dearer. Grey kitt fox is dearer still. As for red fox — well, I ehould not like to write the price. Stoles of any selection may bo as long as you like. One trick will be to wear the bulk thrown over the shoulder a la, trapper. Muffs,, generally speaking, aro large and flat, with, in types, much (made of paws and tails. A fjate-dyed kitt fox scarf of two skins, trimmed, tails and paws, j;b .uld not be above you, and a twoskin muff in addition will only double the price. In their midwinter Londoners were saying great tilings of leopard skin. .I'll'compromise with Uio mention of leopard cat, small spotfl in lines at intervals. A wide stole of any length and muff in keeping would cost a, good deal, A fur set of economical selection an ay include a velvet turban, with fur roll, in lieu of brim ; tie with over-shoulder drop, and muff. Say that the seleetion simulated black fox, and the price would not startle you. I am not inclined to give garments much notice. A pony skin coat is a lightweight, and may bo shaped to suggest the peg-top, aid have a utile draping. A coat that would appeal to mo i« a Persian lamb, buttoning over, with curving sides, ovcrfold collar, and cuffs of ij-ido sleeves relieved with white fur border. For evening fur collars will enhance cloaks, and fur decorate the ihems of tunics and border short sleeves. Should I say any imore just now'? The one object in saying anything at all is to get in a foreword. And, alter all, how quickly the weeks pass. Millinery for a, leading note! Correct styles include, for chief, small, close-fitting shapes, with deep upturned] brims'. In rivalry, narrowbrim sailors with soft crowns. One cannot escape a fresh mention of fur, as all kinds serve to trim. Fitch is a notable selection. Upstanding mounts are high, roses for a favourite, begoniag equally choice. Dainty hats are "sports"-—soft felt, suede,

[Social Items for this Pago would be gladly received by "Marguerite," caro of "Ago" Office, but to ensure their publication, must be accompanied by the name and address of the sonde*.]

and velvet. Autumn and winter millinery is never -so nioo to draw as summer. Not so much in it, and,

therefore, not the scope. Tho selection is a stylish hat by Lewis, simple enough in. all conscience, yet smart when you consider. There is an art in "tying" those ribbc.n-end-s, and for such "reason I always try to give them clearly, and an true to the real thing as possible." Tho leading colours in millinery are tete-de-ncgro, ooppor an dtango.' Black and white also occupies a high place-.-