FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 277, 20 November 1907, Page 10

FASHIONS.

The hat shown on this page is of drawn brown taffetas, trimmed with the palest pink roses and quantities of soft

brown ribbon, while the example encircled with a wreath of cherries is of coarse, burnt straw, with eachepeigne of moss-green ribbon.

THE VOGUE FOR SHANTUNG SILK.

Shantung silk in the heavier qualities, both striped and plain, must undoubtedly be reckoned the favourite fabric of the season, and it is now a foregone conclusion that it will retain its hold upon Fashion's favour all the summer through. Our .•*— illustration represents a very happy inspiration, expressed in Shantung silk, with sapphire blue stripes upon a white gown. This is a graceful gown, suitable for smart occasions, and might very well be worn by a wedding guest or at the races.

In this case also the stripes are very cleverly manipulated, and are arranged on the skirt in a number of long, narrow panels,' where the dark lines are so contrived that they run downwards in a series of Y-shaped points. These panels are decorated at intervals with hanging grolots of silk, some white and some sapphire blue. The bodice itself is of fine cream lace, ruffled with little frills down the centre of the front, and arranged with tiny bows of cinnamoncoloured satin here and there. The Shantung silk is draped in pelerine form round the shoulders and arranged with handkerchief points in front, the ends being finished with blue and white grelots similar to those which appear upon the skirt. A narrow band of waved lace insertion also adorns this pelerine, with a pretty trimming of gold tissue covered

with cream lace, which in its turn is embroidered with small beads. The hat is of fine white chip, with a long sapphire blue ostrich feather at the back and dusters of blue and white grelots.

A SEASON OF STRIPES.

The one fact in the world of fashion which asserts itself most forcibly at the moment, is the extraordinary predominance of stripes. And yet, perhaps, not so very extraordinary after all, when one takes into consideration the fact that striped gowns are universally becoming, more especially when they are designed, as in this case, by a master hand. Sweet simplicity characterises that neat coat and skirt costume which we illustrate, although it is designed with the art which conceals art, for the long lin°s of the soft woollen fabric, in pale grey blue upon a cream-coloured background, are so cleverly manipulated, both on the tight-fitting coat and the perfectly plain skirt, that they emphasise the good points of the figure and give an elegant appearance of slimness to the wearer. The revers of the coat are cut

on the cross, so that the lines run diagonally, and in the centre there is a narrow vest of orange cloth, very finely braided and embroidered in many shades of blue. The elbow sleeves are turned back with narrow cuffs of orange, embroidered to correspond. With this gown our artist has sketched a toque of cream straw, with grey-blue roses, « Paradise plume on one side, and at the back a lloating veil.