Ladies Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 410, 17 March 1904, Page 6

Ladies Column.

FASHION ANjD TBINCf feminine; Bt MISS ADA MRLLEB [Al.Ii BIGHTB BBBBBrHDi* '^HPP HOTJSE-DBESS WITH FICHU. WfKHERE is a great fanoy for JM material, and delaines for autumn g|2S wear carry out the fashion mall aorta of pretty wlour-mixturtfc For a house-dreßß red delaine, flpotteo with white or black, is ohe ! rfa ! ,~rj becoming, and as red, moreover, in various shades, will figure largely among costume materiala for the entire aeason, toe' woman pondering the question of a fln»«t-lookmg, üßeful frock for home wear would har<uy go aßtray were she to choose a red deiawte, spotted either in black, white, 01 BeUcolour. A red dress is usually the better for a touch of black in the making, up, aa thia will subdue any over-aggressiveness on the part of the red, and at the same time throw up the effectiveness of the dress. A Buggeatidn for a spotted delame or flannel frock ia offered by the »coom-

panying sketch. Fichu-effects being distinctly fashionable just now, the bodice is arranged with a fichu of itß own material—merely—merely a couple of hem-stitched frills sewn to a flat baud of velvet ribbon. The tablier and velvettrimmed flounce of the skirt are united by a row of coffee-tinted guipure medallions, and lace of the same colour forms the tight-fitting cuffs, strapped with narrow velvet ribbon, and the collarlesa vest. A thin woman will find fichu bodices highly becoming, the soft drapery apparently taking away the angles and flatness that detraot from her appearance. The plump woman who cares to copy the frock illustrated would probably find the bodice more becoming if deprived of the frilled fichu. " , , SACQUJE COAT TBIMMED WITH LA.CE. Short sacque coatees have been worn to the point of weariness. We have been surfeited with them in all kinds of washing materials during the summer, as well as in cloth and serge, wherefore there fa something quite refreshing about the simple, autumn coat that extends below - the hips and is to be worn during the months that are ahead—the coat without pleats, that is loose-fitting and sacque-

like, and made of cloth or fur, as yon will. One of the simplest and most strictly becoming of the early autumn coats, shows the new fashion of combining lace with cloth wraps. The coat is a eacque of paledt fawn-coloured cloth, and *a made with the utmost simplicity, the sleeves being plain ' bells,' and the sole trimming used being a broad band of Teneriffe lace, laid on the ooat stole-fashion, and bands of similar lace which-border each sleeve. A picture of this pretty coat is given herewith. The same design applies with equal grace and distinction to a ooat of dark-blue serge or cloth, which should, to be seen at its best, agree with the material of the skirt. Some of the new coats are rather elaborately trimmed with cut cloth and embroideries, but many of the simple models are even more effective, Fringed capes of oloth are added in certain instances, and braiding is generously, used here and there, but the use of lace strikes a newer and more pleasing note, whether the lace be tea-coloured or dyed to match the oloth. Blaok lace is also a good deal seen on the new cloth costumes and coats. PRETTY HANDS. A hand beautifully shaped is a gift of Nature, but the well-kept hand owes its attraction to personal attention. We cannot alter the shape or general character of our hands, but we can do much .to beautify them, and the first step to be taken in this regard is attention to the finger-nails. Each time after the hands are washed the flesh at the base of the nails should'be pressed back wtth the towel, encouraging the display of as much of the milk-white orescent as possible. To improve the appearance of the nails them* selves, rub them daily with a little -oil; (which will help to avert hang-nails), and after wiping it off, polish briskly with a shamois leather pad, or an old pair of suede gloves. T£e<"sougheßt hands will grow smooth under the influence of rosewater and glycerine. ; -,; :. „..; --^ ' Susie;''ls Alice a nice girl P Bob,; •Oh, very. She's one of those girls that | when you press her hand she does the rest! fe