Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 429, 4 August 1904, Page 6

Ladies' Column.

Latest London and Paris Fashions, By MISS ADA MELLEB, Lady Journalist, &o« A GAUGED DRBSS. »EtfBESSMAKEB9 in authority have qJ-2 m daoread tbat ganging is to be very 3J3P6 fKßhionable during the spring. It is much worn now, o£ course, bat: will probably be introduced to an even greater extent as the year advances, for the reason that is U a mode of trimming specially suited to thin materials, and greatly improves the appearance of a poor silk. There are two methods of gauging open to application. Either the skirt or bodice may be selfganged here and there, or separate bands of gausriaj* may ba applied to the dress. Ihe effect i& very much the same in both esses, bnt the latter p'au is the simpler where it is desired that the ganging shall - be enriched by a frill of its own material

top and bottom. This is a plan that snits better soft chiffons than silks. The Ranged dress sketched is a pretty style for Jap silk or other thin washing silk, The skirt is handsomely gathered over the hips, and is trimmed lower down with graduated bands of self-gauging aad finished with a deep flounce. It might be more convenient to add the latter independently, gathering it at the top. The blouse is ganged balow a yoke of lace or faggot-stitching, and the sleeves, with cuff a to match the yoke, are ganged at the top. This pretty dress would be very nsefnl carried out in blacfc bxilliante with a yoke of ivory or tea-tinted lace, or of black seqnin lace where an all-black dress is preferred.

A PEETTT BSE AKFAST GOWN. There are times when it is more convenient to slip into a neglige instead of a blouse and skirt—and especially in these days of servant' difficulties do women find it handy to have by them a cosy wrapper in which they can take breakfast or en. velop themselves in the evenings, after long days of hard work. It is no unusual thing for a house-mistress to be without a servant for weeks at a time, and.-during that period it falls to her unhappy lot to

do the work of two people (her own and the maid's), and at those times more particularly does she feel the need of a loose, comfortable gown in which she oan do the early morning housework. A suggestion for a simple but tasteful breakfast gown* suitable for occasions of the sort, is offered in the sketch herewith. The design is smarter than that of the usual dressing gown, and is very becoming to the. figure, following the curve of the waist easily and prettily. Cashmere, nun's veiling, fancy flannel or merino would be suitable for the composition of the gown, whiohis trimmed with a band of lace insertion or embroidery, and a frill of its own material hemmed with ribbon. Or the frill could be of woollen or other washing laoe trimmed with a band of the robe fabric. The sleeves are finished with frills to match, and one large button fastens the gown across at the waist, invisible hooks and eyes or buttons and buttonholes closing it from the throat downwards.

ALMOND FACE CBEAM. The softening properties of almond oil are highly appreciated by complexion specialists, and almond oream is a favourite preparation in the dressing-rooms of Society women. The following recipe is worth trying: Blanoh five ounce* of sweet almond? j beat them until quite smooth, with half an ounce of white curd soap and half a pint of rose water. Melt half an ounce of oil of sweet almonds, A two ounces of white wax, and half an ounce of spermaceti, and mix with,,other ingredients until the Whole is like a creamj then strain through muslin, and add ■ gradually two pints of rose-water, drops each of oil ot lavender, and atSfftjg' roses, and one pint of rectified spJSsitt .' The quantities given-' can,.«-course* lw.f halved or further lessened in amount* but care must be taken that the propori fcions remain intact, ' * ? <■„•*