PASSING NOTES BY JANE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 16

PASSING NOTES BY JANE

An Important Point Wellington, January 11. Dea i am iTyou know, a strong advocate of the modern freedom from the thraldom’of over-clothing—or of too much under-clothing from which xv men suffered in the not so distant past. But during when the weather has been warmer than for many years in M ellington, and when women, not only the young ones, have been TL ear I t n® ““om “ of "arments my point of view has wavered considerably I now 110 . \ brief for good foundation garments which I should have refused to consic ei " 'KSwS w* nd U.o natural linen <.< Iho KSni, should be as closely followed as possible in all the new flocks. Hie success of that theory lies entirely with the figure so displayed. And judging by a very large number of examples seen about the city, in trams and buses, and tea-shops, and walking along the Quay, the most necessary of all garment, -’n the modern woman’s wardrobe is the foundation garment. The figure o every gh’l and woman must be properly restricted to the conventional normal shine without its appearing so, for the difficulties of achievement by way of "rape-fruit and strong coffee are evidently insurmountable. If you have the strength of’mind to diet and do the right exercises, your corset problem very often solves itself. But even then, only a few lucky ones can rely on that sort of thing when it comes to actually cultivating the modern silhouette. The corset seems more necessary, in fact, with the lon„, tiffhtlv-fltting, simply-cut dresses of to-day than it has ever been. It is a fact not to be denied that the figure of the average New Zealand woman differs considerably in two respects from that of the generality of English women’s figures. She requires a different corset to bring her figu i into line with those for which the modern frocks and undergarments are designed and constructed. I had it from an expert that we have what are known as “sway” backs, and also larger hips than the average English, Australian or American woman. Why do you suppose? I was inclinefl to argue the point, but lately I’m rather more tolerant about it. It looks as if it might be true. And a suggested reason was given thatus at least practical The food in New Zealand, said some one, may be the cause of the developed figure. We have plenty of good butter and milk; we eat more meat than they do in most countries, and as a rule we have a great numbei of meals in the day. What with early morning tea, elevenses aftei noon tea and supper, we really get through an amazing amount of food in the 24 hours, and have done so for several generations. Our climate makes foi comfort, too. W’e are not quickly moving or energetic people, as a rule. AUd The hnbortance of proper corseting, in our case, cannot be overestimated. The whole success of these simple, narrow frocks —the achievement of the fashionable silhouette— depends entirely upon the line on which you build Don’t leave too much to nature, adaptable as she is. It is a mistake to think because you are slim—and so many of you are!—that corsets do no concern you. The bulges showing through a. silk or cotton frock must be m exactly the right proportion to the rest of the figure or they will the eye of the observer as anything out of place, or out of focus, inevitablj does. And there are ‘evidently few figures whose measurements could be called perfect with even a kindly stretching of the Imagination. There is a corset nowadays for each one of us, and in every department store an expert who is ready to give advice, with Infinite patience and ready interest. Proper fitting is essential, just as it is in buying a gown, leu cannot just go to a counter, buy a “pair” of “stays” with a waist measurement inches and inches less than your own, and rely on the strength of the laces to do what you hope. The modern woman puts herself in the hands of one who knows about these tilings, and somewhere from among the different fittings in her size one will be found and adjusted to her needs. It is perfectly comfortable, there is no annoying tightness, but one has the satisfaction of knowing that one’s best points are made the most of and those less good are made to conform to the general excellence ot the whole. With love. I YOURS, . JANE.