The World of Fashion.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 7, 17 August 1910, Page 69

The World of Fashion.

By

MARGUERITE.

Popularity of the Picture Hat.

THOUGH the ostrich plume retains a certain amount of popularity at all times, there are occasions when it takes precedence over all other millinery trimmings. The arrival in London of what is stated to be a record consignment of ostrich feathers valued at £104,700 from the Cape recently, together with the advance display of picture hats wreathed with ostrich plumage, suggests that in the coming spring and summer the ostrich feather will have an unusual run of popularity. THE PICTURE HAT, WITH OSTRICH PLUMAGE. The ostrich feather is the principal adornment of the picture hat, which is most becoming to the English face. Many well-known society women have adopted the Gainsborough type of hat, and at each society function they attend they may be singled out by reason of their picturesque headwear, with its. costly feather plumage. The black ostrich plume is the most expensive of all the varieties. The black

This figure is a pretty design for a dancing or evening dress, showing the new double-skirt. This frock is very charming when carried out in palest pink crepe do chine or soft washing satin. The rounded chemisette and sleeves are of chiffon to match, with a square of coarse cream laee. The addition of the lace is an improvement to most girls, giving a broader line.

dyeing process makes the fibres thin, and several feathers have to be added before the rich black plume is ready for the picture hat. Sometimes there are five specimens used in the make-up of one black feather, wnile two or three

Bre sufficient for a w'i : ? !o-ign, and bach time the black f naer gjrs to the it conies bit k short'r in length and narrower in width. Ihe white ostrich feather raridy aliens, save in colur —after repeated cleaning it. assumes p deep ivory tint. The dyeing of the ostrich feather in Colour, such as blue, pink, green, and the lighter tints other than black, has (reached a stage of perfection. The inost delicate tones me reproduced to (natch the foundation of the hat or the town, and if touches of colour are introduced on the latter, or if two tones of one colour are lifted, ostrich feather#

pay be -had with the shades faithfully copied. } OSTRICH FEATHER NECKWEAR. ( Ostrich feather neckwear is again favoured by Dame Fashion for wear in itho coming spring and summer. These painty neck accessories may be worn ryvith the reception gown, .-or with the tailored suit. The white ostrich feather jiecklet not only makes a becoming background to the fair clear skin, but it softens the faded complexion as well.

The new ostrich feather neckwear varies in length from the short design, which goes round the neck and fastens at the side with satin ribbon ends to the full-length stole, four or five strands wide, which drapes the shoulders in pelerine shape and hangs in long ends down the front.

The Veiled Blouse.

The veiled blouse is far too valuable an asset in dress to be given up yet. A very useful, as well as ornamental, shirt

was lately seen, having been made to accompany a blue serge suit faced with printed velvet (a delightful idea) in old Persian colourings—dull blue, pinkish mauve, chestnut, grey, and beetle-green. The blouse was of blue crepe, very much wrinkled, yet thoroughly transparent, over broad bands of the velvet, mounted on a blue satin foundation, witli a dear little beetle-green set of collar and cuffs in tucked tulle. This would also, “go with” a dull green linen suit. A purple foulard, with very large egg-shaped spots

in ivory, is veiled with Burgundy crepe ninon and trimmed with a pretty gal on that look# like a plait of satin piping in purple and Burgundy; while another blouse is of turquoise-blue ch.iffbn veiled iwith grass-green, and then again with a very transparent ivory net. The spot-’ ted net blouse worn under a transparent colour promises to be too popular—• it is so attractive; while I much like that of heavy guipure, as well as those of all over lacy net similarly veiled, while the plain chiffon, ninon, or crepe veiled with very coarse net, matching or to contrast, have their own charm. A tiny •ball fringe to match in colour, as well as that which has been worn for some time in white or cream, makes a pretty finish.

Party Frocks.

Afuslin is as great a favourite for girlish party frocks as it has ever been, while it has for one thing the advantage of being easy to “freshen up,” and can be employed in white or any delicate colour. Where the white -gown is concerned, it is more often than not made over a slip of coloured silk, the costly embroidered muslins, as fine as a cobweb, having a charming effect under these conditions, while in the case of It he elder girls a very small decolletage is seen when the party is an evening one, the frocks being high to the throat -which represents the most popular form of party. TITTLE FROC KS OF SILK CREPE. iSilk Crepe is another material for party frocks, which is used con amove. In the case of the younger children, the little skirt is quite plain and hung from an embroidered bodice piece, while it is finished with a deep hem and gored seams, which are covered with narrow strips of embroidery to match, and is very wide and full round the bottom.

!As a further finish to the gown there ia sometimes a band of marabout or swans.down, which is once again high in favour for children’s frocks and cloaks. White ie chiefly used in this connection, but shell-pink and Nattiea blue are often "seen.

Pink satin and white voile make a pretty colour scheme for a girlish party frock, the pink sa<tin in a pale rose shade being used for the underdress, and the white voile edged with lace for the overdress. Trimmings of net embroidered in pink may be used as a finish with pink and silver ribbons in the hair.