DEBUTANTES' DRESS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 503, 10 May 1909, Page 3

DEBUTANTES' DRESS

(By "Queen Bee" in the "Australasian.") Amid the rapid changes that now ■ take place in fashions,. the young-girl's comingout attiro receives much attention. Quality appears to be the main object aimed'at, and after/thatsimplicity of: construction.. The 'chief idea, isthat no girl-who is .Mfcitled to a special introduction to society: should appear in tawdry Unory. , This notion does not ap.ply ;to. the dress only, .but, to wraps,' hose, underskirts,-and all tho' smaller detail. 1 Tho empire and princess outlinp is mostly favoured for debutantes' dresses, their dainty, figures and youth being just what is needed to carry clinging outlines, which, by the-way, are by no means,as tight as they wero when' tho modes oamo into favour again, about two years ago'.. In the 'empiro'stylo tho back of the dress is distinctly short, but the front shows the regulation waist-lino. , ;; Very charming dresses ard'made of white tullo,' mounted over a' plain foundation of soft satin. Such frocks aro the more lasting for_ having a very deep hem, or. a band of satin at the bottom of tho skirt. All kinds of nets and tulles are once more marked with silver, or orystal dewdrops, while others; aro marked'.with silver and minute silver sequins. Such materials must not be used lavishly, tho more sparing tW better tho effecti : Tho .bodice/lends itself to. the' smartest treat' , inent; A plain skirt and a glittering bodice always stand out, without the overdone effect that. a , trimmed skirt ;' so often suggests. Wliito chiffon, oyer a white Liberty's satin foundation/. makes. charming,. • empire and semi-classic . dresses for debubantos. ■ Satin ribbon is used for forming classic, and fancy 'designs'.'.. In the way of a wide band of satin ribbon is used as a border to the'.edge of the .skirt. ';'. . '-'Soft satin'antique is an ideal material for a debutante's idress, but the bodice must be' very softly constructed. The charm of: such a dress is in its perfect fit: and cut, and the figure/of the; wearer,/which must not be too thin.' A,:} A' \ ■ /./: .-■.-' - // ./'/''; ; '•.'•■ : Sleeves play, an,important part in the debutante's dress.•■;' There are so many pretty designs to choose from now that there is little;-or. no difficulty .in getting something to suit all styles. Thin arms require more ■study than, round ones; a very short sleevo isV.beooming to few,- and-tho saine may' bo said;, of-/the .strapped one. •'. Embroidered epaulettes are .again the vogue... -When on glittering fabrics falling over, pla'in tulle or chiffon^'their effect is very happy indeed..Straps of crystal or silver -embroidery laid on tulle;, etc.,.also look'nic©./;Every!de-butante--needs-, a second dress, .'and for this thereis nothing' nicer'that soft white muslin, and lots of lace.': "' ihsertioh. ■ .Such frocks answer; the purpose forlittle dances, theatre parties,Vetc.'-/>'.'!.';,-/-'. A -'1 ;//■,■; '..>•-'. //:'/ /..With regard to' underskirts,. unless a girl has a, good ; supply of ; muslin' and lace ones that can be kept in.perfeot order, silk or soft satin rones will be 'found more serviceable.' They do not soil nearly so quickly, and tfheir first cost more than makes up for the laundry expenses of the musUri-and lace ones.■'.-.■

;/;Now. that hair-dressing is.surely changing, more/ individual style,is./permissible, : and ./more variety, can be obtained., A simple ooifinre.; is,-'of: course; out of?\si6 question. Very few .young : faces, however, ■■ suit . an . overelaborate one, all depending on- the cast of features;'. In; most< instances it is quite impossible, to get anything like a. iiressy effect without: curls, puffs, or plaits, unless the ,hair is.fluffy, and then matters become,much less difficult./ The new'idea of wearing ropes of "pearls in. the hair ■is a pretty 'bne'-'for young: girls,:- especially. if the hair, be'! not'too' '■ dark..' Mingled .with. silver gauze •' they! are Worked,in and but.of the!hair,.ending. at thb :e3rs!in-sniartly : arr^ged,:rosettes.;, bon .hair-dresses are 'among.the- most appro-: priate;for. the 'young. /They'aro: so charmingly constructed that they aro becoming to a11.,-'- ; When the.hair-is dressed' 'in the Semi,'classic style,' filots, only/'"are permissible. Tb'eso; are. arranged'much lower .'on 'the, head than 'formerly,/:so, that'.the first ono-pushes they hair' /about the forehead in tiny . curls, the hair/being raised in.ridges over the back part of .tbe head, between^each filet.' : •'■'.. -~