THE WORLD OF FASHION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVIII, 31 October 1903, Page 66

THE WORLD OF FASHION.

(By

MARGUERITE.)

DRESSMAKING AT HOME. «>ME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE AMA TEUR. \Vp are told that trifles make up life, and it is certainly the accessories in dress that go to the completion of a good or indifferent toilette. Nowadays the subject of dress is worthy of great consideration on the part of the amateur. The whole tendency is towards artistic dre—inn and the use of soft fabrics. and the fashionable girl of the period has a very good notion of making these trifle- in dress appear to the In st advantage. In view of approaching warmer weather, and of afternoon parties. 1 have chosen as the subject of this ar tide the uses of net or point d'esprit -imply because there never was sucn an effective fabric at so low a price. Figure 1 shows a long cloak of net. which can be used either as an evenin.' or carriage wrap, and last, but not least, as a peignoir or the overdress of a teagown This woidd only take 3? yards of the 45-inch net: the frills are of a light guipure lace, which ts very effective: 14 yards would be required. You could substitute frills of the net for the lace if you prefer the former, or you might have frills of the net with i length of lace down the front. How pretty is the river or garden hat own in Figure 11.1 Quite an inexpensive net would do to make this hat. but it - on', i b fair y -oft. Two yards of net will be sufficient. There is a bandeau with a bow of vieux rose velvet IS yards of velvet), which can be replaced by a bow of sattn ribbon, a wreath of foliage, or almost any other -imide de oration you please. The ossibilities of this hat for summer wear are nianv. Lace. of course, would be

even more effective, but my aim is economy. In Figure 111. you see a pretty little cravat and bow of white or eream net inserted and trimmed with fine black lace. This would be a becoming finish to any simple blouse or can be worn inside a coat- It would take about 1} yards of net. syds of narrow lace, and I’yds of lace insertionIn Figure IV. we have a quaint design for a blouse with the new pelerine or shawl-like ends. For this I would suggest a ring-spotted net. in white or ecru. In piece lace this blouse would look equally well. It would require 34 yds of net or lace. 45in wide, and you may put as many laee insertions as you like, or even dispense with tnem altogether. Three-quarters or » yard of very thin panne or soft Oriental satin would make the wide belt. Figure V. shows what is termed a tea or coffee coat in inexpensive net. trimmed with frills of soft lace. Two and a half yards of net and 14yds of laee would suffice to make that very attractive little coatee. Figure VI. gives a simpler blouse in net. inserted with motifs of embroidery or laee. The quantities required would be 2Jyds of net. 2}yds of insertion, and about 9 motifsIn Figure VII. I am giving you a rather more elaborate coatee of tea jacket. This again could be in string-coloured or white net trimmed with white satin ribbon an! laee insertions and edgingand any satin chou you like. This satin niched ribbon you can buy by the dozen yards and draw up according to the length required. Three yards of double width net would suffice, and about a dozen yards of lace I trust this little selection may be of -ervice to you in using up odds and ends of net- lace and chiffon or other ethereal fabrics. We have all gone mad the last season or two over this point d'esprit. and it seems to me the smartest fabric at the price for the manipulation of the various accessories which are part and parcel of modern dress’ng. Always remember that chiffon under net or lace 1 as a verv soft and becoming effect.

The charming hat illustrated is quite the latest thing in the world of millinery and sets off a pretty face and a welldressed coiffure to advantage. It is made in very light, almost lacy, straw, edged with a niching of tulle to match the straw, ( lusters of small pink bank-

-ia roses with their buds and leaves rest under the brim in the hair, while some told- of pink tulle are swathed round the crown, which is flat, and brought over the brim, where, after twining through the roses, is brought round from the back in a long end to the throat, where it finishes in a chou. This style of hat is very popular and eminently becoming. Sometimes a fringe of pink or white banksia roses or other small flowers is arranged round the brim in place of the ruche with excellent results. Daisies tipped with pink, or buttercups, look well used in this way. The hat to be well worn must be placed well hack on the head to show the waved hair in front of the face. ® ® ® The smartest short skirts are now made in pleats, which open just below the knees. ami from thence a very pretty fullie-s is allowed to flow. Such skirts are made of thin serge, linen, hoiland, pique, drill, or duck, and are sometimes hemmed with braid when in serge, or of a eontr: sting coloured liner when of :: washing material. The bodice to such a costume is a novel “Russian’’ stvle. Rather loose, alwavs limited, and

occasionally cut with a basque, this st vie of bodice is ideal for spring wear, for it is so arranged that it will fasten down the front and button snugly if the days are cold; or it can l»e worn thrown open in a pretty careless fashion. allowing the wearer to display

her fancy as she will in the matter <»f bb»u***. under-fr<»nt. or tie. It is ini jM.ssible l<» restrict the varieties to which >iich a costume is prone We may. if we will, adopt such a skirt only, with quite a smart blouse: or again the bodice described could with very lit tic elaboration l*e worn nvrr a full dres> skirt.

This lx»nnet is an airy little confection •f velvet lace or net and ospreys, which i* merely a broad headband that permits the coiffure to be displayed in all its beauty both in front and at the back.