A WOMAN'S LETTER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 5 September 1919, Page 5

A WOMAN'S LETTER

SPRING AND THE NEW FASHIONS. My Dear Nan,—l Vonder if you are* finding Auckland as interesting as I dind Wellington. Spring arid the new fashions are with us now, and really it is fascinating to see the new things. The other day I visited the D.1.G., just wandered in to see what there was, and <lo you know I spent nearly the whole of the afternoon there—couldn't tear mynelf away. For one thing, they were having a spring show. Tlio whole place had been specially decorated | flowers OTCrywhere, masses of lycopodium trailing over white trellis-work in.all directions, while the jnantlo department reminded one of an orchard in springtime, with great boughs of pink blossoms overshadowing the green carpet,, and lycopodium climbing over the Woodwork Both!tho eye and the ear were 'appealed to, as an orchestra was playing, and playing .delightfully, too.

I Know you are anxious to learn some of tho characteristic touches of the new things to wear. You have heard a lot about the new capes. They are really very graceful. One I saw was in fawn gabardine and black satiu, the satin introduced in the form of a slanting swathe midw'ay down the length of the cape, above and below it being the gabardine. A blacic satin «mrf, failing uowu liie front and ending in tassels, formed tho collar, and it had armlets instead of sleeves. It was.-a charming garment. You probably know that blub in Royal and Madoiina -shades is one of tho popular colours of the season, and a cream cape was most effective with a deep collar of Royal blue velvet, ending in a scarf oil the right side. Jumper effects both in dresses and blouses will be much worn. One jumper dress wasi of rose pink woven silk, and should suit a slim, though not too slim,'young iiguro lm-' mensely well. Yours, for instance! There was a /iavy bluo gabardine costume that you would have liked, It was faced with Base blue silk, tho collnr to he worn either way you liked, high and close-fitting, or turned down and open, and the front of the jacket was faced with blue embroidered.buttons all down both 6ides, while the edges, front, and back were turned over with • the saxe blue. ( Knowing your weakness for blouses, Nan, I'll just hint a'* one or two. Hero again the jumper effect was in evidence, and one very charming one was of black net over ecru net and lace, the latter finished with bands of tiny coloured beads. In several of the blouses two or moro colours are combined. You would have liked a pink georgette evening frock I saw modelled on Eastern lines.

As for hats, they are of all kinds, sizes, and shapes, to say nothing of colours. Black lisere hats, wreathed with brightly coloured flowers, are vefy popular, and so are leghorns, either trimmed with flowers or with crowns qi bl'ocade. Olio that I saw had a crown of Madonna blue and silver brocade, and another, a really beautiful thing, was ■of Tuscan straiy. with crown of green and gold brocade. The .undoubted tendency is for trimmed hats, and favourite colours this season are coral pink and different shades of blue. Quite a number oi the black hats were fringed with glycerine feathers, a. decidedly new feature. Tho name is suggestive, but it is a,world with many tastes and many faces to suit. Osproys, again, are 'being largely used for trimming hats, you will bo interested to know.

As for .the "undies," Nail, you would find them very fascinating. Whatever you likod you would' find, whether in 6ilk, crepe, de chene, or in Irish, French or Spanish nainsook or lawn.. You could have them hand embroidered or trimmed with lace, und were you contemplating a trousseau, 1 should advise' you. to go to the D.I.C. and get your outfits Tho Gossard corsets are a speeittlity, and they are to be got in batiste, coutille, or brocade. Another speciality is children's garments, and I saw the. cuhningest American frocks in rascinating plaids and stripes. Just what Mary would look so nico in.

So much lies in the etceteras of dress, and you would hove liked so much some of the things I saw—neckwear of tho daintiest, in crepe do 'chene, georgette, muslin, or organdie and lacc, of all shapes and designs. The senrvea wero very charming and of the prettiest colon,rs imaginable, whilw some of tho ribbons, very largely American, were very handsome. One of the newest, called the "kitten's ear," is beautifully'soften texture and just the thing for lingerie. You would, I know, like the parasols I caw that aro so easy to travel with, as th# handles are taken to pieces, and so take up but little room. Now you can tell mo what Auckland fashions are like. Ever yours, in haste, BETTINE. {Published by arrangement.)