Laiies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 451, 8 December 1904, Page 2

Laiies' Column.

LATEST LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS. BY MISS ADA MELLEB. [All Eights Keserved.J THE CARE Of THE WARDROBE. VELVET is one of the richest of dresstrimmings, and greatly adds to the appearance of toilettes of almost every description, a touch of velvet on the collar and cuffs, or used as pipings, strappings, medallions, etc., doing much for the tout ensemble. But it must be remembered the charm of velvet is in its freshness, and a frock boasting of velvet trimming should always be carefully brushed every time it is worn. Dusty velvet is an abomination, but it is very often worn, notwithstanding. Any velvet used on hats as well as froclcß should be subjected to the clothes-brush constantly. Obviously, the girl who makes plentiful use of the clothes-brush will keep her frocks in far better condition than the girl who shirks it; but, pitiful to relate, many .girls and women wear their dresses over and over again without brushing them. Another thing that greatly prolongs the respectable life of a frock is timely attention to the hem of the skirt. This should always be protected with velvet, chenille, or braid binding, which must be looked to from time and replaced, when necessary, by fresh braid. The skirt binding should be stitched very firmly, otherwise one is apt to catch one's foot in it, and be put to a good deal of inconvenience. The hem of the walking skirt requires a frequent acquaintance with the clothes-brush, and tho ekirtlining thereabouts is sometimes the better for being sponged with water to romoyo the mud stains. The use of a hot iron, now arid tkdn, to remove cfea"ses, will greatly

improve >the appearance.of a, skirt. -&J are very ■weU;Bnofn, but > one rf t^em. FASHIONS I^HiaUNE^Y. Fanoieis in milliner} "run/" but, on the whole, fashion is toW- _ gratulated on the extreme charniTOMjnie of her whims in picture hats. . ino^t-.., • vailing ideas are lace draperies and -»«£?:■. ■■ tulle straps and .strings, the -mere dfe. . strap of tulle taking | long string, and being much -m aristocratic circles. The addition of a ? strap or strings of tulle gives a wonderful ohic to a hat. When two long strings are worn they are usually knotted high on the left side just beneath the ear—and the ,v ends float carelessly to the Bkirt. Sometimes the laca chin-strap, passing right across the crown of the hat, is drawn through the straw, pursuing its career -,,, baneath the brim, while on other hats the v ! scarf of lace or tulle, as the case may be, - passes over the brim instead of under. J. tie picture hat .sketched might be copied, in black crinoline, with a big Romney *nU-?» . black or cream-coloured lace and a sash 01 , twisted ribbon, knotted into a drooping ,; bow at the back; while the under-brim - could bo draped with chiffon scarves, caught; *v down here and there, or might be lined entirely with chiffon. Romney fnlls arc much worn just now, and are some of the

simplest means of trimming hats. They are frequently made of. frayed ruches of silk, and aie very wide. A black straw hat trimmed with a black Romney ruche, and a violet straw hat trimmed with a ruche to match were worn lately at a fashionable bazaar, and accompanied Eomney frocks of white muslin with fichus and pale blue Eomney belts. Picture hats are assuredly carrying all before them this season. There are times, however, when a picture hat, with strings, lace veil, etc., is hardly so suitable as a hat of less pretentions, and then the hat of chip or coarse straw, trimmed with flowers, comes to the rescue. The becoming hat sketched, crowned with flowers, is worth copying, and works out well in brown straw with tea rosos and forget-me-nots, or in navy blue straw, with Sevres blue roses, while various other schemes suggest themselves, such as a green straw hat with white roses and lilies of the valley, or a burnt straw hat with pink roses and forget-me-nots. The toquo sketched is effective in cerise straw with -a bouquet of shaded roses at the left side, and the high upturned brim decorated with little straw'bobs,'while satin ribbons ojMffi foliage sprays trim the crown. v MR AN EYENING COAT- J The woman who travels from the suburbs * to town for evening entertaiments requires . as an essential part of her wardrobe a long coat that is specially suitable to these • occasions. Black taffeta or soft satin would settle the question of material, or one of the new sa>fein-faced, silky-looking waterproof materials would be excellent. The coat might be made up after 'the style ; ; of the accompanying sketch, the highway- - ' man capes being piped with black velvet /, ~ --wag

and the small revers-collar being entirely of velvet, while large velvet buttons could be added to the fronts, and velvet re-appear as a piping to the bell cuffs. This charming coat, cut single or double-breasted, vtiould be very useful, no doubt, to the holiday maker, when taking a stroll on the pfrrade in the; evenings. The oape&'might bk detachable,, so that a lace collar could on occasions be substituted.