Fashion Notes from London.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 19, 8 May 1912, Page 69

Fashion Notes from London.

LONDON. Mar.li 15. West End *hop uindovv* bvar Mill the scars of the fray of ten day* ago, and women shoppers are eyed, eve i now, wi’h more than a little *u*pi«-'on. but things are gradually settling down under the repairer’s hand, and spring goods smile a* if nothing had happenedA number of both suffragettes and suffragists have, it may have been note»i from the cables. banded themselves into a sympath *body to offer

practical evidence of their sympathy, not only with the •’Cause,” but with the tradesmen who have suffered, by way of collecting money to pay for repairs. The Courts at Buckingham though it is a well-k. >an fact that Queen Mary sets h i :.i e against ex* tremes in fashion, and. indeed, is not much inclined to pay attention to fashion at all, are nevertheless generally fairly good guides to coming styl<’», and, judging from the last two Courtly therefore, it may be taken as a certainty that paniers, if not here yet aS a general fashion, will certainly bo shortly. Ninon, net and real lace (which, of course, such a method shows to the greatest advantage) so far ars the only materials employed, and thess are generally over silk or satin. There is little to chronicle this week that is not merely emphasis of the lust few weeks’ decisions. Frills, for IXstan<e, have be nine frillier than ever-v every . -oii.-ehal.de dress that will admit

them show* (hem in plenty on sleeve*, shoulder*. * decolleUlgr, And round the foot of shift*.' UNEVEN REVEKs are evidently to have their day. and two or three more variation* have Sprung into being during the week. Occasionally there- :* one rever only. Rever* on otherwise severely plain hou*egowns are again seen. V'SHAPED VESTS of white lace over net or chiffon have, for the moment, coinpietelj ousted round or square one*. TI N It S appear to he. at last, going out. A very few evening gowns show them, some having them turned under at the foot, with the effect of a long, flat panier. and number* of reception dresses have double skirts cut squarely rather in the manner of tunics, but (lie wholesale apparent inability, on the part of designer*, to think beyond tunic* is altering. NECK rueeles. The balmy spring atmosphere is responsible for the appearance of all manner of dainty trifles for the neck, rutile* of soft-coloured, shaded ostrich down or feathers, and bands of pleated grille being favourite*. The latter qould quite easily be made at home, Since only fairly stiff tulle i* required, in ay hat ever two or three colour* the wearer fancies. To a white gown they Mould lend a very chic touch. A pretty ynv seen this week was of two rows of pox pleated black tulle over one of white, the ruff standing stithy up at the tight of the neck and slightly turned <Jown on the left. The right was fastened with loose bows of black velvet yibbon. FICHUS of lace on dark dresses are now begin ipng to be worn stretched tightly- not. so far. at all a graceful fashion. FRENCH MILLINERY 'show * an unvarying desire to sprout; it is tv be noticed from most of the French models displayed. One large one of this week has one side, from the middle of the crown to the edge of the brim, fashioned in Royal blue glace the other side bmng of black, and the under brim treated in (he same inanner. From out of the roof, of the crown spring* a blue osprey in the form of a Nourishing palm tree. A TRYING STYLE I* (jhe long pointed bodice which some evutu vie res are trying to f»rin«r back tv favour. Fortunately, so far. however, high waists are by a long way the greater favourites —long may it continue! She of the generous hips, of the too thin, too stout, too short <»i too tall figure, of the large waist or the too sir ill one must all beware the style, for it seem* Specially chosen to reveal defects. One woman, and one only—the extraordinarily . well-shaped ami proportioned elender woman with small hips—dare wear a pointed long-wai*ted gown with impunity. PUDDING BASIN HATS in straw or shot folded silk are much seen. Generally their only trimming i* a small bright wing sprouting .mt from any quarter the milliner chooses. ANOTHER REVtVXL. Already eapes are seen, and it i* expected that the fashion will again hvonic general. Those so far made are for afternoon wear, and are of the same material as the frocks with which they are worn. Reversible satin is a favourite material for these gown*. and the cape is generally lined with a contrasting colour, amt reaching jir-i h.dow the hips, square cut at the back and with (Klint <

at 11k* sides. Some of the lovely new shot silks are sure to Ik' utilised for capes, and wilt give just the ne»-essary amount of warmth al this rather treacherous’ season. MUSTARD COLOUR ■ is very popular just now. and. employed discreetly, it gives a very smart touch to a gown or hat. A rover or revers and cuffs of mustard coloured frieze on a black or navy gown, with a dark hat. trimmed with one mustard coloured plume, has an excellent effect. FRINGE is being used now for millinery as well as on many .different styles of dresses. Ju place of ‘■feathers’ of lace stretched on wire plumes of (hooping fringe pendant from stems of silk are used ou satin hats in various shapes. A USEFUL SHOE HINT. White kid shoes, which are too soiled to wear, and which are still of a good shape, may be renewed for evening wear by painting them with gold paint. Do this carefully and smoothly and the shoes will look like new. FLOWERS FOR THE COMPLEXION. In the health notes in a well-known journal there appeared recently an interesting article on the effect of a moist-in-door atmosphere on the skins of the inhabitants of the house—moistness not indicating dampness but a healthy state. Ventilation must, of course, be insisted on. this doctor writes, but a delightful method of making the indoor air soft and moist is to have always plenty of fresh cut flowers about—l>etter still, growing plants which, greedily absorbing water, throw it out- as a vapour, which is harmless and yet lias valuable health-giving properties. Other plants should be substituted from time to time. It is perhaps too much to -say. this oracle says, "Fill your rooms with beautiful plants and flowers, and you will become beautiful,” but there is quite sufficient truth in it to make it worth a trial. Certainly a moister indoor atmosphere will help us to obtain a healthy skin, and wilt render us less liable to chapped hands, and with so pleasant a method at call, it would be silly to neglect it.