Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 447, 10 November 1904, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

A SIMPLE DRESSING GOWK.

A CHILD'S BLACK SATIJ* COAT.

LATEST LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

BY MISS ADA MELLER.

[All Rights Resebved.] THE latest novelty in the way of dress accessories is the coloured feathered boa. Until lately our boas have been black, white or 'natural,' but now it is the fashion in high circles for the boa to be of pale or deep colouring in harmony with the hat or trimming of the: dress. Pale blue boas and pale pink boas are much worn, and I have also seen a deep magentacoloured boa of curly ostrich feathers accompaning a hat wreathed with magenta roses, and another boa of bright royal blue feathers worn with a black hat, trimmed with two sweeping ostrich plumes, shaded from white to bright blue, in harmony with the boa. The effect of a fashionable parade where many boas are exploited is that of a flower garden in full bloom. The new boas are expensive luxuries, as at present they appear to be produced only in posjily ostrich feathers, and run into twelve and ififteen guineas apiece. From a certain point p

Viewtho expense ia an advantage, as bright colours in inferior goods generally speu orUdehess, and the effect of highly coloured cheap feather boas would be garish in the extreme were many grouped together, as it is, the bright, deep blues and reds need to be carefully worn, for the full, noli .boa - of strong colouring is a showy-looking thing and unless in perfect taste is an aggressive eyesore. The more delicate pale pink and , pale blue feathers are less trying, and is the grey feather boa that; is T OTP boooming. The shaded plume for the n*jgp is a striking feature of millinery modes, ancF% feathers, as we know, are very slightly curled Just now. It is the accessories 01 dress that to-day mean more than the costume itself in oreating a chic appearance, and that, with some women, run into the greater part of the dress allowance. The costume may be as simple as you please, but it must be accompanied by one of the new black, white, or coloured leather belts, by laco wrist-ruffles, a smart little turn-over collar of lawn and lace, a French necktio, feather stole or boa, or something of the kind that represents the last cry of the fashionable world. And the millinery must be equally represontativo of the latest thing in hats or toques.

In the hot weather every woman feels the need, more or less, of a loose wrapper in which to rest awhile after a walk in the heat, or at other times during tho day, and tho economical woman so plans her wardrobe that her wrapper for such occasions and her dressing-gown aro one and the same garment. An idea for a simple,

pretty dressing-gown that would fulfil requirements of the kind, is suggested by the accompanying sketch. The gown could be composed of cashmeroi in any colour, or of fine French flannel, the hems being of white washing silk united to the gown with white faggot-stitohing. The cape is shaped to a deep point in front, and round the waist is a long scarf of the robe material.

It is not usual to dress little girls in black, but a black satin coat on a small child of five or six years of age looks very smart, especially if accompanied by a collar of tucked white silk or muslin, bordered with Italian lace, and a big black hat, either of the ' picture' type in crinoline straw trimmed with a feather and ribbons, or after the fashion of a sun-hat, made of

black taffeta; silk, with a pcarf of b'ack chiffon that finally passes uhder the chin and is knotted into a big bowl The doublebreasted coat! sketched wojild work out very smartly; in black satin, and with a white collar and four, big buttons of old silver or art nouveau work, wkth a touch of turquoise in the decoratiofi. , The coat should be lined with whito satin. A simple siacque coat, j long to the knees, of black satin, with a white fancy coliar is eauallv pretty. f * ■/■

SIMPLE SKIJf BEAI^T^IERS. i Three of thf cheapest and finest preparations for thej skin are bran, oatineal and lemon-juice. The virtue of bran for toilet purposes is very little appreciatedirand even oatmeal is not as muoh used as it-might be. A simple method of iisiiigj either the one or the other preparation is tcjti£ some bran or oatmeal in muslin, dip thjo little bag in '" warm water, and rub it over tine face instead of using soap. Dry, oatmeal is used instead of toilet-powder, and. is especially good for a igreasy skin. Lemoh-jjuice both' cleanses the skin and takes away wrinkles; being a' tpnic. The way in. which Frenchwomen use lemon-juice is by dippi&gjmto'it a pad of cambric and rubbing f this slowly and firmly in circles (always pressing, upwards) over the face.'; "' ' * ■ I 7