THE WORLD OF FASHION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IX, 30 August 1902, Page 574

THE WORLD OF FASHION.

(By

MARGUERITE.

Delightful little short lace coats are worn, both for demi toilette and afternoon wear. Some are made after the style of the Russian blouse and others of the short sac shape. The tendency is either for a Russian blouse, with basque, or for a short coat worn with a wide band. Some women look delightful in both, but for the slight figure I certainly advise that short coat, which has a peculiar chic about it. These coats are not always made as plain sacs, but are very much im-

proved specimens falling in pleats or folds, which look charming in guipure and in the finer makes of lace.

Of course, Irish crochet is the lace of the moment for day and also for evening wear, but lace of every make becomes daily more popular.

Under these lace coats really charming blouses must be worn. Blouses either for morning or afternoon wear are perfectly delightful, many expensive ones being made in accordion-pleated, pin-spotted net or

gauze with inserted yokes of lace. Pretty, too, are those with stripes of glace alternating with insertions of cream embroidery threaded through with be be ribbons. Gorgeous coloured muslins, too, are also being used in this wise, arranged with insertions of black or ecru lace forming stripes. How charming the lawns and drills are this year! Some of them have a silky surface. There is a perfect craze for having these frocks made with short sac coats and big fanciful

collars of lace, silk or embroidery, while others are made with a Russian blouse andn tiny basque. The latter suits stout figures best, but the sac coat is charming on the tall, slight woman, as I have before said. Do not imagine that these coats are very easy to make, either in lace or drill, because a great deal depends on the cut; unless you have that absolutely correct, leave the sac coat severely alone. It must hang from the shoulders, and the sleeves and collar must be beyond reproach.

Nearly all the sleeves in these coats are loose below the elbow; in fact, some are made with under-sleeves. There are a great many beautiful examples in green linen. It sounds rather daring, perhaps, but I assure you that green in the summer looks charming, so long as it does not come near the face; no costume of this sort is complete without a collar of lace or embroidery. Many of the drill skirts are being ' made with three deep stitched frills. ( Some I have seen are strapped glace or piped with satin, but I prefer the plain ones. It seems early to talk about drills and linens, but, as I have already pointed out. we have to take time by the forelock this year.