Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 428, 28 July 1904, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

Latest London and Paris Fashions,

By MISS ADA MELLEB^^j^ iiAST JOUBNALIST, &C,j r^*'

[All Bights Ess buy an J

A SIMPLE TAILOB-MADE DBESS. and pipings are the decorations on which tailor-madea 'Jo® rely chiefly for their trimmings, and stitching is, of course, a much used item of decoration. A touch of velvet ia introduced here and there when richness of effect is desired and embroidexiea also take a part in the adornment of coats and i-kiita, for dressy ocoasions. The simple tailor-made, however, is self-trimmed, and when arranged with strapped Beam* or a good deal of stitching, and cut, of ooutbs, by skilful hands, can be just as effective as the more elaborate coßtume. A simple tailor-made skirt and bodice for home wear, or for tpriug wear out of doors, is sketched here-

with. The smart little bodice is cut low in the neck and finished with strapped seams, the lines of which are continued, as it were, on the skirt, where the seams are strapped and the points of the straps are turned in mitre fashion and studded with small buttons. The lower part of the skirt is provided with folds of its own material, which stiffen it thereabouts and give it importance. Any of the new homespuns or fancy cloth materials would be suitable for building the dress, and the veßt should be of coarse lace or tucked batiste, with a neat little tie of glace silk. The bodice is loose-fitting at the waist, which is finished with a swathed belt of suede cloth, and the sleeves are drawn into tight-fitting cufts.

A SM&BT TRAVELLING COAT. A pretty feainre in the design of some of the new coats is a wide centre plastron decorated with buttons arranged singly or in groups, the plastron having the effect of a box-pleat. When a shout coat thus made agrees with the material of the shirt, the latter carries on the idea of the plastron, and is trimmed in harmony with the upper part of the costume. An example of the new coat as alluded to is given in the accompanying sketch. The original is in putty-coloured cloth trimmed with narrow brown velvet ribbon on the collar, cuffs, and pockets, the buttons are gill;; and the tasselled cord, that croessa the shoulders, passes through corded rings, and finally trims the front of the coat, is cream-coloured, and gives a pretty and uncommon finish' to the fronts. The design might b* copied in dark waterproof cloth, and'the coat thus created would be a very serviceable and. smart

garment for uncertain weather The cuffs are finished with ruffles of laoe, according to the newest dictates of fashion; but these might be dispensed with; were the coat destined for rainy weather. The . straight, simple, loose-fitting front is.partioularly beooming to stout figures, which are generally seen to advantage in coata or dresses that do not sharply define the waist) in front. If oar coat were made chiefly for the purpose of a travelling wrap an excellent material would be navy blue nap eloth, or cloth with a raised knot upon its surface, and the plastron might >, be of plain box cloth, ,*P

COIFFUBES OF TO-DAY. Theie are two distinct styles of coiffure from which we may now take oar choice—the high dreesinj? and the low dressing. If you want to look dignified, adopt the high coiffare; if yon want to look, young, dress your hair lon, aagirla are doing. The low coiffare is pianea closely to the head with large wide-ringed hairpins of dark or light tortoise- Bhellj that stand out from ] the head, like the bops of a Swiss bow j and the finale is a-looped plait or twist that droops upon the neok.