The World of Fashion.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 17, 26 October 1910, Page 69

The World of Fashion.

By

MARGUERITE.

¥HE woman of fashion has grown practised of late seasons in the art of performing quick changes in silhouette. Madame La Mode In 1910, however, calls for more than a mere change of outline. The rival of a type of feminine beauty which we have not seen for many seasons has been ordained by her ministers. Instead of a modish pallor, vivid scarlet lips, and the classic swirl swathed round the head, wo are to have round, pink cheeks, demure looks, curls, and even ringlets. The change is startling. It is the Inevitable result of the arrival in our midst of the “little girl” frock and the "pretty girl” hat. Fashions from the Nursery. Imagine a skirt which in its simplicity and scantiness recalls the days of

the early nineteenth century, and a blouse destitute of tucks or swathing folds, with a low-cut neck, finished with a babyish frill, and you have the “little girl” frock, which is the latest thing in the world of dress. It has a charm of its own, a refreshing quaintness this demure little frock, and by the time summer sunshines and dainty-flowered muslins and delicate batiste and lace go to its making, we shall have arrived at a very picturesque period of Fashion’s evolution. Flower-trimmed hats, with long streamers of velvet tulle or ribbon hanging down the baek, blend harmoniously with these girlish frocks. Women who think the “little girl” frock savours a little too much of the nursery may find what they want in the Puritan dresses, with their quaint little fichus and turn-back cuffs of the finest of lawn, decorated with dainty stitchery and lace. The same tendency is manifested in coats and skirts. Little sack coatees are being made by the tailors, and a new,

type of Russian coat is belted below the jwaist, like a littio boy’s tunic. The skirts are still quite short, and the bootmakers are taking advantage of this fact. Boots and shoes to match the dress, boots with coloured suede tops, suede shoes in champagne and all shades of grey,* are seen in the windows. Voile is to occupy a prominent 1 place in Dame Fashion’s favour for summer wear. The new voile has a curious suggestion of shot effect in its colourings, particularly the grey shades, which seem

to hape copper tones in certain These voiles are very charming. They drape well amt give long graceful lines to the figure. Messaliues, silk cashmeres, and Shantungs will also be much worn in the summer, the easlnneres and niegsae lines showing bordering bands of velvet to tone. The shantungs and the linens are embroidered in openwork designs. There is also a new material for summer wear made of cotton mid silk, with s crepe surface which is lovely in texture

and colouring, the rose and soft- brownish yellow shades being particularly attractive. _ " Brocades hare had an unusual run. of

popularity this season, the old designs being carried out in a new supple weave to suit the present day straightness of line. : , - . . Brocades Popular. The rich brocade under-dress in a delicate ivory shade is traced all over in gold threads in a floral effect, while the polonaise in rOSe-pink satin, lined with satin in a paler shade of pink, is caught up with lines of lace in a cross-over effect at the back and left to hang gracefully on the train of the brocade. (Ruffles of the lace form the corsage, and the elbow-length sleeves are formed of puffs of rose-coloured ribbon alternating •with ruffles of this soft white lace. Foulards promise to be much in evidence this season in new shades of mauve, green, and black, traced in contrasting patterns, and taffetas silks will also make their appearance again in new weaves of softer texture. Taffetas has given place to the softer satins and silks, eachemire de soie. and crepes for some time, but a .softer weave of this silk is promised for summer wear, with a duller surface and better draping qualities.