THE UTILITY FROCK.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 11

THE UTILITY FROCK.

Pending definite change,' says an English paper, the woman.' with taste, no matter what her figure, can dress very becomingly in modified • classical garments. One little caprice of Fashion ought at least to be dear to her heart,'especially if a large income'is not at her disposal—that is, the seal of popularity v given ;to the- substantial black gown. For years the woman .'whOse/thought tended to a general utility frock of, black had to be content with voiles, chiffons, and gauzes, whose utility, alaB! ;verged :so soon into wispiness that their .economy was a very debatable matter. ■ she.'.can have silk—of the surah quality,-let'it be understood—she can have satin—of 'tho new uncrushable soft variety—and she can have velvet. She can choose a style demi-prin-cess, which can be modified to 'suggest bulk or to minimise it. Such a gown preferably will have no trimming, except a little good jet or.soutache, and there will be a guimpe of white or cream. This guimpe ought to. be the note of the costume, and .clevej' fingers will cover chiffon or net with appliques of real lace—lace gone , beyond the 1 care of the tenderest mender cani finish its remnant days most usefully in this'fashion. Should the black-gown- seize-the'fancy of a young woman, she can give it a ' touch bf brightness by wearing .a coloured sash; should the colour suit her, let'this latter bo of amethyst. • ,