Checked and Striped Materials.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 10 February 1909, Page 58

Checked and Striped Materials.

What to wear travelling is a problem that is discussed year after year and never definitely settled. To begin with, all inodes of first class travel are nowadays so entirely changed from the olden time, when a woman had to either swathe herself in an all enveloping dust cloak. wear some dust shedding materia), practical and generally hideous, or faee the alternative of arriving at her journey’s end looking very shabby and dirty. With the luxurious surroundings of modern travel such a thing as a regular, travelling gown is not needed, and in most instances, whether travelling by, land or sea. any sort of gown can be worn. Long skirts are not suitable and yet they are not impossible. Women now find the entire costume, coat, skirt and waist to correspond, the most practical: but the gown made with separate waist and skirt is by far the most popular, for then waists of different texture may be worn, and in travelling it is necessary to be provided against changes of temperature. Tire cheek, stripe or fancy material in the skirt and the plain coat Is extremely popular this season and good colour effects can be obtained by the combination. There are cloths and silks, too, for that matter, and- of course voiles that have a border, one or more straight bands woven into the material, and these make up effectively in the new or rather complicated pleated skirts that measure so much ia

width around the hem and fit so close around the hips. There are charming gray and white, tan and white, blue and white stripes, and so on through the different colours. The coat matches the darker stripe, but in truth is, as a rule, still darker. At the mcsnent the preference is given to the soai that is extremely simple, of inedium length, with fronts that are closed only just at the bust, and is (generally worn open, to show the waist-

coat or waist, wi'i. jabot and lace tie. Lightweight cloth or serge is the best material to choose for this coat, as while some warmth is required in such a costume it should not be heavy nor too warm, as it is intended for wear in summer. This being a season of sharp contrasts, it must not be forgotten that' plain skirts and striped coats are fashionable also, although this latter style borders on the extreme, and should not be rashly attempted, as the coat requires to be perfectly cut and fitted. The same rule applies to the plain coat with striped or check skirt, but the stripes in the a oa t are a harder problem for the average dressmaker or tailor.