Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 130, 27 December 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip.

By Christabel

SPRING-CLEANING is a c'leam of most of- w, Oui dwellings are tlie past — a niglitmare now — with fresh and spiucc tar Christmas. The yea.is fl\ bv so quickly that Fathei Time must suiely have grown young and energetic a^am One finds it haid to realise that twelve months, and j many changes, have enne and go -c aliead^ The shop windows are dressed m holiday attue, and look most attractive and the all-important question now is "What shall I choose?" The task of choosing presents for girl friends lscompantivelv easy — lace collars, a fancy purse dainty handkerchief, and a thousand and one things en' out to bo bought but for one's bi others the dimcultv ls not so easily solved. * * * Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains' stock of pretty pictures though, should help one out of the difficulty— all men like pictures— and at the D.I.C. there is a varied assortment of attractive silvei goods— shavins brushes, smokers' companions, and sets of brushes are all to be found there side bv side with nicknacks and novelties. Here, too the children are catered for with more than usual lavishness Should you have any doubts about Christmas being here, mst drop in to the toy room one afternoon A prettier s>ight is not often seen. Ciowds and crowds of happy, excited and eifier youngsters, all talking hard, sunounded on all sides with toys At onp end is a beautifully-arranged Christmas tree laden with tot>s and, most wonderful of all. Father Christmas himself is hard at work supplyins the varied wants of the children. In these days of incredulity, and precocious infants it is amusing to see the half timid and wrollv-admirins: expression on the faces of the youngsters when talking to their old friend Santa Claus. * • • Cameos are a~«un to the fore, and at a recent fashionable weddiner in London the bridesmaids wore beautiful cameo bracelets, which were presented to them by the bridegroom * * * The popularity of gieen has been earned even to stones, foi emeralds are undoubtedly the stone of the year, and malachies have oncemoie come into favour. This stone is very effective with a setting. . » * A^ain, we have gone back a generation or two for our fashions, and the frocks of our great grand-mothers would be nearer the fashion than oui own last season's gowns. Sloping shoulders, drooping sleeves — in fact, everything is "drooping" exceot the cost. It is a graceful style, but one's clothes must bo well made to get the desired effect Anything approaching a bad fit look*, dowdy and amateurish at once, but the dainty deep collars of point d'esnrit fall m? almost to the elbow, are easily made by anyone with nimble fingers These collars are berne finely tucked and edged with a narrow frill of the same net The lace ruffes, which arc a nrettv finish to a muslin gown, can also be made with a little trouble— but plenty of material im:«tt be used , no skimpiness is allowed in anything. m * * Sk its now-a-days, must fit like a glo\eto the knees, and from theie "billow " out as much as possible A pretty voile skirt I noticed recently was tucked finely all round the hips, and into the waist band and made with an apron skirt even all round, finished with olaek guipuie, falling over one full accordeonpleated flounce. * • » Rees are undoubtedly the floweis of most use in this year's millinery and no w onder. No prettier combination than that of soft blue silk ribbon and shaded pink ribbon has been discovered — luck-\ are those young and fair enough to weai it. A hat which has been much admired lately is being worn by a ta.l'l fair girl — a rather larpe white straw with big rosettes of lettuce-preen ribbon draped with delicate lace and sprays of bnrfit green rose leave* No other colour is- introduced It looks cool and "summery." * * * B\ the way, I think a few hints on winter clothing would be more seasonable Something is radically wrong with our climate. Variety may be the source of life but in the matter of wea-

ther it is an. everlasting non y Tlie beauties of a dainty muslin are entneh ruined if a coat must be worn, and >et only the brave ventuie forth, even foi an hour, without some protection Ha\mg quite decided it is going to ram, you sally forth m a sensible and warm tailor-made and ram coat complete, when out comes the sun, and bakes you beyond endurance, and \ou suddenh leoollect that. it. is summe-i A \isitoi fioni Sydney lately imparted to me the fact that the women-folk in that capital are wearing long scar\es of light summer mateiial. These scm\esaie placed round the back of the neck undei the wide cape collar, and appear in the front iust above the waist to he tied in a smart bow, the ends finally falling to the hem of the gown. The scaif ends are tagged with small medallions. This fashion has not yet made its appearance in Wellington, but we shall probabh see it soon. * « Shirring is not used except on the \ cry good dresses ot non-washing mateuals, as it ne\er loolvs well after a \isit to the laundress. Muslin gowns aie gathered over the hips, some in a dozen lines. Others have the gathers as far as the front breadth onl\. It -very much depends on the figure and st\le of the wearer. Many of the thicker gowns fit round the hips with tin,} tucks. These are becoming to almost everybody. As long, howevei, as jou have plenty of detail you can do no wrong, for this is an age when elaboration is the craze of the hour. * * * I have lately seen some \eiy pietty all lace blouses for street wear. These were made up in the ordinary way, fairly tight at the back, pouched over the belt in front, open to the waist, and finished with the inevitable long collar and sknt-fiont. If a skirt of some light, white material is worn with one of these blouses the smart effect is considerably heightened if the top of the skirt is fashioned with a corselet of lace to correspond. The idea isa cry pretty one, and well worth copying. With a blouse of this description a collar need not be worn unless preferred, but I need hardly add that the addition enhances the whole ensemble. It may be cut of similar lace and then edged with narrow trimming to harmonise with the general scheme. (Continued on pniic 1 i )

A most inteiesting figuie in Sydney society is Mrs. Eitaki, the wife of the Japanese Consul. Although onl,\ four years of her life have been spent in an English-speaking country, she already has mastered the language intelligently, and has thoroughly adopted all English customs. A piquancy of expression, com bined with her interesting and quaint conversation, is most attractive, and she has become a very successful hostess. According to a Sydney paper, the picnic given by the Consul and his wife, in honour of the Mikado's birthday, won for them much admiration. Mrs. Eitaki does not wear a kimona, but dresses in the best of taste and latest fashion. Her house is furnished lavishly, but in European style, and her maids are English girls, tnm and neat. She has easily adapted herself to the new life in Australia, and is very happy there. * * * Mdlle. Dolores has sung her way to Sydney hearts, and one hears nothing but praise after each appearance. At hei last matinee she was laden with glorious flowers, and cheered with great enthusiasm. Her gown was, as usual, greatly admired, and was of floral Irish poplin striped with yellow, the underskirt of blue glace veiled in silver sequins being fashioned with three deep frills. The lowcut bodice was filled in with sequin net embroidered in silver, and the elbow sleeves finished with frills of pink tulle and Paris lace. On one side of the corsage was placed a chou of pink tulle, and on the other a bow of blue satin ribbon ; diamond ornaments and a pendant of turquoise and pearls were worn. • • • Mrs. Wroughton (Timaru), with her children, is spending Christmas with her mother, Mrs. Brandon. • • • Miss Bessie Fitzgerald has returned from Cbristchurch and her sister, Miss K. Fitzgerald, has gone South to spend some weeks at Invercargill and Lipton. » * * Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Coleridge have returned from their honeymoon. • » * If any of our readers wish to take the sunburn off their sailor hats they should try a cut lemon and salt. Rub the straw well with this, and when the dirt is removed, rinse in clean water and dry. While drying it should be kept in shape ■with weights. » » ♦ There has been a very general exodus from town during the last few weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Menfceath and their family have gone to their house at Titahi, where also Mr. and Mrs. T. Young are spending the holidays. Society hostesses are having a rest, and " parties is out," as the boy says. • • • It is said that fashionable American clergyman rarely insert the word " obey " in the marriage service nowadays, the word "yield " being substituted. • • • The latest is that one's character can be read by the scent indulged in, even if

only the correct amount — a suggestion — is used. Violet is said to lepresent a lovable character (every woman loves violet) and it is further stated that anyone surlounded by its influence becomes religious and peace-loving ! Heliotrope means daintiness ; lavendar, exactitude ; lily of the valley, obstinacy ; Jockey Club, Opopanax, and other strong perfumes denote uncertain temper and a mean spirit. ♦ ♦ ♦ The marriage of Miss Shayle George, of Auckland, with Mr. Curtis, of Wellington, takes place very shortly. • » * Quite the newest summer coats are made of holland — a pale shade. They reach the hips, and are cut rather low at the neck, and finished simply with stitched strappings of the same material. These little coats are smart in the extreme, being beautifully cut, and are a sensible addition to one's wardrobe. The one I admired came from the establishment of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains. * * * Mr J. Frankis Lane, resident secretary of the Citizens' Life Assurance Company, and his wife, have just returned from a most enjoyable trip. After " doing " the Coronation they visited Scotland, and spent some time on the Continent. Although only away a few months Mr. and Mrs. Lane covered a distance of fifty thousand miles. Poker work is a new idea for table centres and slips. It is done on velvet, and a twine or yellow shade is most suitable. Failing the proper articles for poker work, hot knitting needles may be be substituted. Transfer the design to the velvet in the usual way, then burn the pile of the velvet all round the design, keeping the lines even all the way ; put in the veinings and stamens of the flowers in the same way, to make up line the velvet with a piece of costume linen or holland and edge with two-inch wide lace, making it full only at the corners. Tea cosies are pretty and useful articles, and do not take much time, and look lovely if done in cortecelli ; indeed this handsome work is suitable for almost all articles, from small d'oyleys and tray-cloths to the largest bedspreads. One characteristic of the latest fancy work is that it is almost all of a washing description. Washing silks are used, and in most cases the work is done on linen, of which there are some very pretty shades obtainable, green, biscuit, or twine-colour being most fashionable. • * * This cutting from "Home Ohat" will doubtless be of interest to my readers — "American millionaires, ever in search of new sensations that will 'stagger creation,' have been held spellbound by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt's latest coup. By buying up all the seats in the Knickerbocker Theatre. New York, a month in advance, and by paying all expenses of going to Newport, besides a handsome amount for tihe privilege, Mrs. Vanderbilt secured the services of 100 actors in a performance of the play 'Wild Rose.' The entire staff of the Knickerbocker went down to Beaulieu, Mrs. Vanderbilt's beautiful Newport residence, and gave their entertainment

eaily m the evening, in a theatre specially erected for the occasion on the lawn. * * • The performance, enjoyed bv 500 guests, was a great success, and at its conclusion the lawn was turned into a fairyland by means of flowers, lights, and decorations, and a danoe was ~ivem, the music being provided by three bands. A supper followed the dance. Never before' had a, New York theatre been induced to close its doors for the purpose of providing amusement for a society function, and this brilliant stroke, which cost between £3000 and £4000 and is on a par with royal entertainments in Europe, has placed Mrs. Vanderbilt ait the 'top notch' of fcocietv leaders in the States." * * * Most of the newest sleeves are cut pa-goda-shape, the under-sleeves being of some soft fabric. In heavy materials, such as drill, linen, pique, etc. the gathering at the wrist is not an improvement, and this makes a.lso a difficulty in the matter of ironing. The pagoda, sihape therefore, overcomes all obstacles, and has the charm of being 000 l and comfortable. For grass4awnis silk-muslin, and other diaphanous matema,!s. the Turkish mode is much affected. This sleeve is arranged olainly into the arm-hole, and continues tisht hai±-wa,v down to the elbow. This portion may be decorated with tucks of lnseition but it must be kept perfectly tight and smooth. The remainder of the sleeve is out very full, and jraitihea-ed on to this top portion. It is then allowed to fall freely until arranged! into a narrow wristband. This style is a very nopular one and generally seen on aJI occasions. Its coolness has much to commend it