Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 18 August 1904, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

LATEST LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS. By MISS IDA HELLER,

TOILETTE OP CHAMPAGNE VOILE, THE popularity of voile is easily understood, for while being inexpensive, the material in light colours is dressy enough for demi-toilette wear ; and in both dark and light colours it is much worn out of doors, and always falls softly and grace] fully. The most fashionable voile dresses aro made up with a good deal of gauging and sometimes cording, and old-fashioned bouillones are introduced into several of the new French models, which illustrate also early Victorian effects, in the way of sloping shoulders, tuckers, hcrthos, and so forth that accompanied the bouillones of old. The dross sketched is suggestive of the Victorian effect about the shoulders, but is

now exaggerated in stylo, and is a pretty model that might very well be copied in pale lavender or champage voilo, trimmed with motifs of ivory-coloured guipure. The rou nd, gathered yoke runs across the top of the arms, and the sleeves below are full and caught up into deep cuffs trimmed, like the sleeves, with lace motifs ; the full bodice is decorated with three floral motifs en suite, and the lace is repeated on tho skirt, which is gathered below the waist and again lower down, finishing in a full, deop flounce. Those who prefer black to light colours can, of course, copy the dress in black voile, and trim it either with motifs of black silk guipure or ivory-coloured lace, while the belt might introduce colour or agree with the dress.

MODES IN HAIRDRESSING

Coiffures are as simple or elaborate as you will, but in any case arc decorated with combs of dark or light tortoise-shell or of white horn or ivory, the most expensive of which are inlaid with guilt-work and turquoises or other stones. Pour combas are very often used to dress a head —two sidecombs, a back comb placed low, and a smallor comb worn higher on the head. Fancy clasps, too, are in common requisition for keeping the puffed out hair at the back of tho head (when the coiffure is high) neat and tidy, and they vary from the small circle no bigger than a wedding-ring to the long, undulating clasp that reaches wellnigh from side to side of the head. The prettiest comb for the hair is designed with with a filigree or trellis pattorn, encrusted in the more costly models, with gold and tiny diamonds, and in the' less expensive combs with small 'stars of cut steel, paste, or

other imitation jewels. One of the coiffures sketched, is dressed with one of those lovely new back-combs, arranged at cither end with flowers—which reminds me that real flowers are now used a good deal for decorating the hair. Beneath the comb the coiffure is prettily arranged in. twists that fall on the nape of the neck ; \Vhile above, the hair is nicely waved and dressed broad. With a piled up coiffure a high Spanish comb would take the place of tho filigreo comb illustrated, the 'shovel' part of the comb being of [trellis work. Ttiackerary writes of ' women with their heads dressed with shovels,' and no doubt ho alluded to Spanish comb. The high-dressed hair is suited to stately bearing and .staid years, but more becoming to youth is a low coiffure, or one .that dresses j the head to a certain extent more simply such as the other coiffure sketched that shows the back of the head arranged in coils and twists running down the .centre and the hair tied above with a becoming bow of. ribbon or gauze, the ends of which stand; up. Tho tb|rd coiffure sketched shows' a front view, with hair ' parted and waved and a few careless curls softening the bjreak of tho parting and ncstjling becomingly on the forehead. The coiffure is broad and loosely-arranged. THE HANDS. Powerful astringents' check the moisture, which sometimes affects hands, but frequent use hardens tho palms and ruins the texture of the skin. The following lotion is useful for occasional application in the case of jnoist hands: —Powderod tannin} one drachm; spirits of camphor, one drachm; rectified spirits, two ounces. Before put-." ting on gloves for evening wear the hands should be rubbed over with tannin powder,; composed of a mixturo of ground tannin,, and prepared Fuller's earth. Lemon juice or a slice of cut lemon rubbed over the hands, after they have been rinsed in clear water without soap, also provents or checks undue moisture, and it is said also to tighten the skin.