The Housewife

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17664, 13 September 1919, Page 3

The Housewife

SPEING FASHIONS

The end of the mid-winter sales is the signal for the first appearance of the early consignments of spring fashions, and this month, therefore, is an interesting one from a sartorial point of view, offering a forecast of what will be worn when the winter months are past. It is, however, rather a quiet, month for shopping, for the winter sales have supplied the wardrobes of women with articles enough to last out for the next few weeks, and furs and other winter clothing usually remain seasonable until September, with its accompanying proverbial winds, has gone out. of the year's calendar.

Whatever changes may come with the new fashions, it is certain that the jumper blouse and pumper coatee will flourish. Few fashions are prettier than that which represents the dressy little jumper with closed'

frpnt and back, and neck opening cut large enough for the head to be slipped/easily through. Sometimes a lacing is introduced at the top of the jumper in front> as this renders the putting Ton process easier, and the neck can be cut rather higher than ■when-no . little split is made in front. Embroideries, again, are features of. the juniper at its best, and are introduced at the heck and at the hem, and sometimes, also on the sleeves, specially pretty being the effect of embroidery suggesting a necklace. This is seen on some jumpers of crepe de chine and cloth, cut with square shallow yokes, the necklace effect being brought about by means of graduated lengths of embroidery depending from the yokes, each length having either a bead or wafer of embroidery at the tip. Fringes represented by embroidery are other pretty ideas for the decoration of jumpers, the fringes trimming the hem of the garment concerned.

Coat-frocks and short waists will remain in vogue, and pleated skirts are, as usual, allied to smartly-cut plain coats, this alliance being a particularly good one, the plainness of the coat setting off conspicuously the handsome effect of the pleated lower garment.

A coat-frock of the latest design is illustrated, and is an excellent model for cloth or serge. It is made with a panel' effect in front—a particularly becoming style to many women; and especially to stout figures, which require careful dressing. The frock illustrated fastens in front at the left side, and is trimmed on the panel with triple sets of buttons. Ah attractive feature is the wide, soft sash threaded through the panel and giving a buckle effect. The sash might be of-satin,'and the collar at the neck should match it, while the buttons might be covered with satin or the dress material. The bodice,and skirt of ih»? frock, apart from the front and back panels, might >be cut in one or in two parts,' seamed at .the waist.

A beautiful hat with wide hrini is also illustrated.

very effective, and other schemes that are successful are ihe union of amethyst and rJark blue, brown and gold, and dark :.-Ine and green.

Another means of introducing colour toches io r. frock i& Hy tiie use of piping ootds and binding bands of material, and highly siic-ccsstul expressions of uns fancy art* seen m frocks of na\'y-l.<hie satin or cloth bound with red, and dark blue velveteen dresses with red or violet pip-ing-cords. Collars and cuffs, of course, afford excellent opportunities for colour-touches contrasting with the frocks to which they are allied. Sailor collars and others falling almost to the waist at the back tind disappearing at the shoulders, so that the front of the dress is devoid of collar, are favourite fashions.

Much*that is novel and pretty appears in relation to .uome frocks, a feature of not a few beiny h wide belt allied to somewhat severe simplicity. The model illustrated—one of those "little frocks" that have won popularity everywhere -— is quite but of the ordinary in de.si?,'n.

The skirt is pleated and straighthanging, with a panel effect in front. It is the upper portion of the dress, Which simulates a jacket or short slip-over coat, that is interesting, for a "coated" appearance is one of the fashions of the moment. The model, however, offers a suggestion, for remodelling, as it would be quite as smart when made of two materials, as suggested by the sketch,, as when made of one. For instance, the skirt might be of plaid or striped cloth and the bodice and frieeves of a plain material matching the predominating colour in t.he skirt. Again, the collar and cuffs might be of the fancy material or of plain white washing weave. A wide belt appears back and front of the waist and big pockets are formed by the upturned bottom of the "coaota."

TO OBTAIN PATTERNS. Patterns of all the designs appearing in this column, week by week", can be obtained by sending stamps, value 1/-, for every pattern required (coat, skirt, blouse, one-piece gown, etc.),*to Miss Ida Meller, Care of The Editor. The envelope should be marked "Patterns."

AN ORIGINAL HOUSE-FROCK WITH COAT EFFECT.

Among the little things hT (iresf that count for -rouc'i. as regards ef-

No. 2265.

feet, is the bead neckchain, by means of which lovely colour-touch-es can be given to a i-lain frock. A few good beads can bs ma to to go a long way if j.hey are tastefully threaded and arranged. Some of the most artistic necklaces are those in which a few lar.sje, good beads are threaded on coloured '"ncelje" knotted between the interval of each bead. Dark blue beads on red ficelle, or red beads on blue cord, are