A Harmony in Mauve and Grey.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 19, 9 November 1910, Page 69

A Harmony in Mauve and Grey.

In the accompanying sketch a suggestion is given for a dainty toilette destined for a garden party, and carried out Almost entirely in mauve and grey, with a few touches of dark purple here ami there. The frock i tself is of Meehl in lace, made up over chiffon and satin, all three fabrics having been dyed to the same lovely shade of dove-grey. The skirt is made in the fashionable short length for walking, but it is wisely arranged with a certain amount of fulness, so that the wearer can move about in it with com-

fort and grace, and can even go up and down stairs, and sit down when she is fired, luxuries of action which, strange as it may seem, are entirely out of the question for those who are jnSt now martyrising themselves by following the foolish nictates of their dressmakers. It seems wonderful that women should be found silly enough to appear out of doors in skirts of a tightness so painful and grotesque that with every movement one confidently expects the wearers to lose their balance and to topple over. But Ho return to our sketch, which proves conclusively how graceful a straight skirt of this kind can be, when it is’ cut of a reasonable width, and' iwhen, moreover, it is finished, as in the case of our illustration, with a Very deep hem of soft satin. This sa'tin, by the way, is chosen in a soft tone of mauve, with more lilac than pink in it, .which harmonises perfectly with the

dove-grey shade, of the lace under-robe. The long coat is of the .mauve satin, designed in a shape which is simple, bii*t very smart, and trimmed with many little strappings of dark • purple satin, finished on one side with diamond buttons, and on the other with purple silk tassels to match. At the waist, but in front only, there is a folded belt of purple satin, into which one or ,two purple and pale mauve velvet-leaved pansies are tucked. The satin, sleeves are made with a cape effect, and cut in one with the rest of the coat. They are also arranged with a panel of lace on the outer side, crossed ■by purple satin strappings, and decorated with silk itasaels and diamond buttons, while the under-sleeves are of dove-grey lace and ehiffon. The neck is cut low" in the prevailing fashion, and finished with a collar of ivory-white Mechlin lace „ .

With this gown a very becoming hat is illustrated, and’.one which shows the, prevailing mode, but without exaggeration. It is made in pale mauve Tagel straw to match the colour of the satin coat, and lined underneath the brim with dark purple satin. The crown is wreathed with velvet pansies in purple and pale mauve, to match the flowers’ which are fastened into the waist-belt.

The same scheme of colouring is carried out very successfully, too, jin the sunshade, which is of mauve glace silk, lined with soft ruches and ruffles of pale grey chiffon, and mounted on a grey enamelled dtick. Bong white gloves are worn, while the shoes are of grey suede, with flat bows of grey corded sille ribbon.