IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 59

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES. By Marguerite. The most suitable frocks for to-day are of the simple tailor-made style—a coatfrock or dress and coat of the new lightweight tweed or woollen material. Tweed is shown in shades of fawn and grey and two or three tones of brown, as well as very dark blue and black relieved by lines or flecks of lighter colour or white. There are many such frocks with coats of the same material, or if the frock is checked or flecked then the coat may be plain or matching tone. The close-fitting hat of the coat material is a smart fashion. The dress is almost straight, with a slight flare about the knees and the hips fitting. There are some pleats and fine surface ribbing, but no elaborate trimming. Easyfitting bodices fasten at the side by buttons, or down the front. Necks and wrists may be trimmed with lingerie or narrow flat fur bands, or a small fur tie. Plain woollen material makes up many of the season's winter dresses and coats. Some are reversible, in which case the dull side appears as trimming bands on both frocks and coats with smart effect. The tunic is seen on some of these frocks above a pleated skirt, the short coat giving a three-tiered effect that is very smart. A tailored skirt, either plain or pleated, of the same material as the long coat worn, may be accompanied by a tunic or a pretty blouse—a bright coloured silk oi - satin blouse or tunic worn with, a black satin facecloth coat and skirt, or

a tweed coat and t-kirt with a blouse of matching tone and a tweed hat. The effect can be varied with a knitted jumper blouse. *i* AU that is knitted will be smart. Berets, bags, trimmings, and hat ornaments are the newest idea. Straps and flat bows of plain knitting are being much used for trimming smart little blouses of satin or fine- woollen fabrics. They are especially effective when worked in silk and wool mixture, for the silk gives a little bright touch to the straps. The knitting may match the colour of the blouse material or may be something that tones well even if it is a contrast. The bows may be two flat loops with a tieover in the centre, or two ends like rabbit’s ears, also with a tie-over in the centre. Such bows are popular for trimming. Three or four in a long line down the centre front of a bodice, in place of buttons, and one on the sleeves arc smart. The ears are sometimes slipped through slots made on the bodice. A brigfit coloured strip of knitting worked in silk and slipped through a slot in the centre front of a bodice will give a delightful novel touch of colour to a dark frock, the knitted strip being repeated on the felt. hat. Knitted silk and wool buttons are also shown, while vestecs worked in suk for the tailored suit are the last word in fashion. This illustrates a charming breakfast coat of cream wool crepe with a quilted flower design in pastel colouring. Satin

ribbon fastens the coat at the side. Lined with quilted satin, this coat is an attractive and cosy wrap. * ¥ Now that the nights and mornings are chilly the need for a cosy wrap for the dressing room becomes verj- insistent. The large stores are showing some really charming gowns in beautiful colourings and delightful materials, both silk and wool. Although there is a great variety of cut in such garments nothing can be more practical than the kimono shape, with added sleeve or the straight coat-like gown with well-wrapped fronts and inset sleeves. The sleeves are wide and bellshaped with this style of wrap. The materials favoured are velvet, ribbed, patterned, and plain, silk, and wool crepe’ and very fine flannel. For warmth with smartness there is nothing nicer than silk crepe, or satin, or brocade lined with soft satin. The flannel gowns are embroidered ■with flower designs in pastel colourings, and are very warm and cosy. V- * ¥ Although many pretty but fragile sleeping suits and nightdresses are displayed in the lingerie departments of most stores, there are also new models of a more practical and protective type. Pyjamas with jackets take the place of those with sleeveless blouse and jumpers, and in nightdresses long sleeves and high necks are offered in very attractive styles which, although more protective, are just as attractive as the more fragile kind. One pretty model in flowered washing silk has a set-in vest with collar of plain white. Another with a deep V neck is in pale blue spun silk with a vest of cream lace, the bell-shaped sleeves being finished with a border of the lace. There are some good washing artificial silks in various dainty colours that, make up charming nightdresses and pyjama suits if trimmed with cream lace and insertion of a firm kind. Yokes of diverse shapes are seen on many nightdresses, and the V, square, or round neck appears to be more popular than collars. Heavy-weight crepe de chine is favoured for the more expensive night

wear. Fine flannel and Shetland wool nighties in lovely pastel colourings are the cosiest and smartest for cold nights.

This illustrates a practical robe in turquoise blue satin, quilted and padded, with the collar, cuffs, and deep hem in a deeper tone of blue satin or black. These

coats are in very attractive colourings, gold and black, red and black, amber and dark brown, and two shades of blue being the most favoured. Note the fashionable length of the wrap. •Y V ¥- This dainty bed jacket of flesh pink crepe de chine embroidered with pink and blue flowers is admirable for breakfast in bed, with its simple loose-fitting kimono style. The long roll collar and cuffs are

of pale blue silk. It is lined with georgette. To complete the colour effect, the slippers are of pink satin lined with blue, the piping being blue and silver. V’ V .f The night ensemble is much in evidence in collections of smart lingerie. One dainty specimen I saw was in beautiful coral pink crepe de chine. The sleeveless nightdress bad a short-waisted bodice with a V neck trimmed with lace insertion. The skirt part, which was slightly flared, took on the fashionable hemline, nearly to the floor at the back and gradually sloped up several inches shorter in front, where it described a point. The edge was outV n - e< ? lace like that on the bodice.. With it was worn a hip-length jacket with wide bell sleeves of the same material edged with lace. When a long-sleeved nightie is worn the jacket sometimes takes the form of a cape, and is kept in position with ribbon ties. Other jackets are little sleevesless boleros. Every novel fashion touch in dress quickly finds a place in night apparel. * Y- v This illustrates a smart jumper and

skirt for street wear and walking. The

skirt is of tweed or other checked woollen made in a wrap-over style, the jumper being white spun silk or wool crepe. Note the tweed bands used bn the jumper. With a top coat of the tweed one is suitably attired for cold days. Flannel may be used for the skirt, and stockinette for the jumper, with the trimming bands of the flannel. ¥ Y- YWinter generally brings novelties in cosy, warm garments, and this season there are countless new models of house coats that have been found such useful additions to the winter wardrobe. The practical coat of plain velvet or velveteen is shown in various new designs, the latest being semi-fitted and curved up each side front below a roll collar. Another model has double-breasted fronts like a child’s, reefer, but the simple cardigan shape is most general. For smartening up a frock that has seen better days a coat of velveteen is just the thing. Variety can be given to the cut of the sleeves and collar, while touches of embroidery quickly worked affords many a delightful individual touch. To the business woman the little velvet coat is very useful, as it protects the wearer from draughts, and the sleeves of a blouse from constant rubbing. Black is the most serviceable, but navy blue or nigger brown is a welcome change to the black coat. Y- Y- YVary the effect of a black frock bv giving it several pairs of collars and cuffi, all of a different colour. Coloured lingerie is newer than white; coral, dull pink, jade, and turquoise blue sets being the new idea. On dull days these bright touches are very pleasing. It is an inexpensive fashion, and smart, too.