DRESSED IN HANDKERCHIEFS.

Patea Mail, 24 December 1880, Page 4

DRESSED IN HANDKERCHIEFS.

It is strange what a hold ugly fashions sometimes take on the public. What, for instance, can he uglier or more inconsistent than a costume made of colored handkerchiefs, such as snuffy old men are apt to use? And yet how popular they became! Wo consoled ourselves, however, with the thought that, as summer passed, handkerchief suits would also disappear. Alas ! they are coming out stronger than ever, only now they are made of the woollen handkerchiefs that country women wear round their shoulders. Each handkerchief is about a yard square. For the convenience of dressmakers, they are not cut into separate squares, but arc sold by the piece, like any other material. The centre of each square is generally of one color chosen according to the fashion of the day, and the favorite colors now are bronze, dark blue, purple, and ruby. The border is then of stripes or cheeks, in contrast to the centre. It is almost impossible to describe the make of these dresses, which must be left entirely to the taste of the dressmaker. Woe, then, if the dressmaker have a bad and common taste ; the Iress will then look supremely common—ludicrous. If a first-rate dressmaker cannot be obtained, a lirstratc illustrated pattern and plate must be procured to serve as a guide. It is in the arrangement of the corners that depends the whole effect of the dress. The body basque is generally edged with a border. The back of the skirt is formed of puffs and handkerchief points. In the front are several aprons, each formed out of handkerchief points. But this docs not tell yon how to arrange these puffs and points; for this yon must consult a good fashion-plate, or a first-class dressmaker. Instead of being mounted on a cotton lining, it is preferable to mount the handkerchiefs on an old silk skirt, otherwise unfit to wear ; this will allow the dross to hang more gracefully.— Queen.