FASHION NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2670, 17 January 1916, Page 3

FASHION NOTES

EFFEOT-ABSOLUTE SIMPLICITY. Just at present, writes an English correspondent, there are few of us who have very many opportunities in which to dress ourselves up in laces, silks, and furbelows. Still, one finds a wardrobe without a demi-toilotto wanting. This domi-toilctte is soberness itself. I was struck by the simplicity of tho prevailing attire. Although many of our party frocks may be rather costly, they still maintain the note of unpretentiousness. Any colour scheme boa-sting vividness or extravagance in design strikes one as being completely out of place. Somehow or other one misses the absence of colour. Someone has compared music to colour in our clothes. One ceases to be sad when hearing music, as it helps to cheer and help us on our way, and we can easily apply the sauio idea to colour. There are some very ddightful ideas carried out in the designing of our few party frocks. In some instances it is impossible to describe the attractiveness of tbeso garments. Among the many alluring materials and fabrics, taffeta silk 13 the most fashionable. Thore are certainly some perfectly delightful colour schemes in 'this silk. They are mostly in soft tones. The skirt is generally worn short and very full, flaring out at tho edge, although I have noticed one or two skirts falling in full, soft lines. It may be gathered round the waistline, hanging in straight folds to tho aiikles. The hem of the skirt may be adorned with appliqued designs, such as a raised panache or leat shaped, carried out in the same material as the l'rock. The ■rather tight-litting little bodice looks very quaint. The material seenia swathed, and iornis three folds at the bacii, and is dra'vn round to the left side, and finished with a smart, little bow. The' chemisette effect and slsoveless armhole are notable features with some of these new theatre or party frocks ; two straps of the taffetas silk with a picot ougmg are the only adornment, in otuer instances very diminutive sleeves' of chilion or ninou ar eworn. An underskirt may be noticcd showing a lew inches below tho skirt proper. This under-dress or foundation smrt is fashionod of the souest iaoric, such as very fine net or tulle, ninou or short faille. A very charming model was carried out lu black silk laltcta. Tho skirt showed the reuglation shortness after the order of the day, tho edge of the skirt scolloped in a rather large design. I noticed that a leaf made of the taffota silk was appliqued on each scollop. The foundation skirt was fashioned of black ninon, and was finely gathered, rjid fell a few inches below the upper skirt. A very becomig touch of colour was introduced at the waistline. In this instance it was a dainty hyacinth pink, finished with a black sash of the taffeta ciossing over the front, and tying, in a stiff pleated bow at the back.' The eifect of the whole was most -.'hie and up-to-date. Such a design would look remarkably well carried out in a highnocked and long-sleeved model; black and white would be admirable. Another little frock worth mentioning was in the softest of rather dull green,\ merging into blue. The underdress was carried out in white net; the skirt was short and well flared. The edge was daintily decorated with rather largo panaches of the material. Tho little, bodice showed simplicity itself. It was tightfitting, and boasted trimming of two largo panaches, coming slanUvays across the front. The sleeveless effect was quite ono of the main features of this little bodice.

Pals hyacinth, pink, or purple would look most effective carried out in' a similar design. In some instances a soft veiling in a contrasting shade, cither of tulle or fine chiffon, may fall over tho skirt. The frock I have just described would look delightful veiled with crowblue silk net. An enormous butterfly bow of the taffeta silk finishes many of these chic little garments. The taffeta demi-toilettes have quite an air of their own. Some of latest models look as though they had stepped straight out of an old-fashioned picture. The "Mario Antoinette" bodice helping to give, tho quaintest and most unusual effect to tho frock. The long transparent sleeves, falling well over the hands, adorn some of these uncommon-looking bodices. They are becoming to. all, and add to the smart appearance of these attractive and original frocks. Black anil white lends itself delightfully to this new scheme of dressing. A pure white taffeta boasted a short well-pleated skirt, showing a foundation skirt of finelypleated ninon. The bodice was swathed, and becoming tight-fitting. Two little net frills with fussy edges came round the shoulders in the quaintest manner; •they were caught in front with u large black velvet rose, the touch of black relieving the dead white of the gown. Beads arc often cleverly - introduces! in tho design of some of these frocks. They may form a simulated buckle to help to outline the edges. Although these dainty frocks have the-effect of absolute simplicity, a great deal of forethought must be. expended on them to give them the necessary successful appearance. Everything depends upon the detail of tho frock, even in so small a. detail or item as the belt. >