WOMEN Of 30 YEARS AGO AND TO-DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 1

WOMEN Of 30 YEARS AGO AND TO-DAY.

(By THE MARCHIONESS OF C AM BRIDGE in the "Daily Mail'.”)

Thirty years ago day dresses were worn with tight-fitting boned bodices and boned high necks. Sleeves were i'eg-of-mutton shaped and skirts were godet shaped, sweeping the ground, and very often lined with taffeta, with t a Hot a petticoats worn underneath. Evening gowns had tiglit-fitting boned bodices, cut round and low, showing the upper part of the arms, and small puff sleeves. Full frills ol tulle, chiffon and laces were used for frimming to give the effect of a small waist.

Evening skirts were a little longer than the day skirts. They were a full’ godet, shape, festooned with frills, laces, flowers, and embroidery on the lower part. Customs have also very much changed. Barents in Victorian days were very .strict.

All these now changes came alter the Great War. Girls to-day are far more independent, which is a good tiling tii many ways. Before this the younger generation would never have been allowed to go without their mothers or a chaperone of some sort. Now all that is unnecessary. And. apart from changes of this kind, what wonderful things are revealed to us by the wireless. aeroplanes, and motor-cars. On the debit side there have been sad changes in the passing of the beautiful old houses of England, places where wonderful balls, parties, concerts, and various entertainments were carried out so well. Many of these are now museums, schools, or lunatic asylums, and tunny have been pulled down to make room for luxurious flats that have risen in their stead. Beautiful old pictures and wonderful old plate and furniture have had to he sold, lovei'y and famous old gardens, too, have been " let down.” for it, is impossible for many owners to keep them up in the old style.

Again, entertainments are not so lavish and luxurious as they were in 1897 and the cost of food is much higher than it was in those days, when people had several meat courses and several sweets. Now meals are not so long or large.

11l the old days it was a marvellous sight to see the carriages, many ot tnem very line " turn-outs,” going through Hyde Park, which was so thronged with private carriages that they could only advance at a walking pace, one behind the other, with an avenue between them up the middle ol the Park, which was kept ci'ear for Queen Victoria or the Princess of Wales (Queen Alexandra) to drive up. The finest sight was on the days drawing-rooms—-now called "Courts •’ were held by Queen Victoria. The state coaches were very handsome, and one ti-i'd to enjoy seeing them drive through Hyde Park with their three footiih-ii and couilimoii all in smart liveries—breeches and silk stockings and ( coked hats. Tile ladies' dresses in tlio-e days were very graceful and had Lo have a tail as well as a long train, which limited very well indeed. The three feather.- and tulle veil were worn with tiaras and jewel's. The curtsies were mailt ill those days, as there were generally a number of loyaltic.-. who

siood in a long line, and a ( tit", -y had to be made to each. These drawing-room- were held in the afternoon about three o’clock, and it was a very trying time to go dressed in a very decollete drv- in the daytime. The Court- field now in the evening are far Imre Ire, miing to everyone. The u-ual routine in London in the sea sun was to ride at 9 o’clock or 9.J0. Many very nice hacks were to fie seen with people on them who kiww how to ride. The afternoon was spent in visiting friends or shoppings. In the evening came dinners and balls, the fi;d beginning at 12 o'clock. One was always out of London from Saturday till Monday in the cotioiry. When the season was over oim went to Scotland and then home for the winter and the best of ah' sports—-hunting.