THE FASHIONABLE FIGURE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 313, 28 September 1908, Page 3

THE FASHIONABLE FIGURE.

It would seem as though the feminine figure -.vas. fluid (says a.Melbourne paper), considering tho way it is expected ,to narrow or lengthen, or broaden, according to the fashion of the moment. At - smart party it is quite amusing to see women who last season" wcro noted for their 'ong waist, now wearing tho same waists four or six inches higher. But only a few short-months and those who used to fancy the eaily Victorian modes, and developed rounded-hips and free movements, are now adopting the smooth; slim, "svelte" lines demanded bj wearers of the' Jew modes. No matter what are the demands of fashion on tho subject of shape, woman is equal to them. _ Of course, such adaptability is mostly, owing to the art of the corsetierc, and, besides that, the lines of an Empire frock, a shcath-like Diiectoire, or tho taibr-made coat and skirt al "seem to require underwear of a quite hew description, and different corsets , are being recommended foi different occasions. One idea that used to flourish was tlmt tight lacing was.-'an indiscretion. attributable tc-at least eight' girls out of ten- and that .many older women'wero guilty of the same crime.. But this foolishness'is not a characteristic of tho fashion of to-day, for ( it is realised that tho modes .-f the hour do not demand compression so much as elongation; consequently tho newest corsct is cut so that-the figure is apparently longer, rather than smaller, It i 3 principally owing to' the skilful -and scientific cut which is now so well understood by the (irst-clasa tailor and' corsetiero of to-day that the majority of . women' look taller than they really aro.