THE PULSE OF FASHION.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 163, 16 December 1926, Page 2

THE PULSE OF FASHION.

AUCKLAND CITY. j (By “ Graciosa ”) Undoubtedly the spirit of Christmas is in the air. Everywhere busy shoppers hurry to and fro, frequently cannoning into each other in their speedy endeavours to get as much done in the least possible time. The holiday season seems to have come with a ; rush, on account of the unseasonable j weather experienced, producing little j or no inclination for Christmas shop- | ping. The stores are thronged with , people who have left making their purchases till the last possible moment, hardly realising (for winter garments are only now being generally discarded) that Christmas is so near. Santa Claus. A ramble through the shops and one sees gifts that are legion. There is something for every need and luxury. Every shop has its Santa Claus, and its toyland. It is a sheer delight to hear the wee toddlers whispering their desires, some, timourously, clinging so tightly to mothers’ hands, others so confidently, into the ear of the understanding, rosy-cheeked, bewhiskered ' Father Christmas. It is a make-,be-lieve enjoyed even by grown-up children, too, for it seems that one | I never quite outgrows the childish de- i I light of Christmas and its attendant | pleasures. Most of us. can recall the j I shattered dream, of Santa Claus not being real, but only a make-believe. The mischief can'usually be traced to some youngster, at. school in the wisdom of his seven or eight years. Hearing the members of the “ baby ” classes talking of what Father Christmas is going to bring them, he shputsi “ Gam, there isn’t any Father Christmas; it’s only your mother and father that puts the things in your stocking when you are asleep.” The. first dream shattered, because the seed of doubt has been sown. But even the unbeliever gets just as much joy from the filled stocking on Christmas morning as the little fellow who really thinks dear old Santa Claus came down the chimney. s

During these exciting days before Christmas one observes, groups of children with their noses almost glued to the shop windows gazing .in , rapture at all the wonderful things displayed—everything to. ..delight the childish heart. When accompanied b.y the busy mother intent on shopping, they almost have to be dragged away.

Not 'all the window-wishing is done by the little ones, however. The ,displays in every department; of . the stores are a joy to adults, who have been lured within through their very window-wishing. Like Oliver Twist, they want more, and know' that they have but to walk inside and view further wonderfully attractive things. The shops make one think of Ali Baba’s cave of wonderful treasures, and Christmas time as • though some magician had said “ Open Sesame,”

It is a genuine treat to see so many beautiful things. Every year one feels that me height of beauty has been achieved, yet just as surely another succeeding year finds us in raptures over something even more beautiful than -was shown the preceding corresponding season. For such is fashion —ever-changing, and producing some more beautiful and useful innovation, , whether .it be for the home or milady’s . rttire. Holiday Wear. The majority of people are concentrating their thoughts on attire most suitable for the approaching holidays :.nd summer week-end outings. The most appropriate are washing frocks, and some of the smartest and least expensive are made of cotton fugi. This is an excellent wearing fabric of smart appearance and launders perfectly. Then there is Japshan, a silky fabric in coloured stripes, and dresses made of this material always look cool and fresh. Gingham for holiday wear, was never more popular than it is this season, and bordered gingham makes as pretty and useful a dress as one would v'ish. The inevitable jumper suit is seen everywhere, and is most suitable for the varied festivities of summer. Pleated skirts and bright-coloured sweaters or jumpers are seen on all 1 the tennis courts, and the sports hat ' most favourable is the pull-on, match- j ing- in colour either the jumper or the | skirt. This summer the beaches will ( J be a galaxy of colour, judging from, j | the display of brilliantly-hued bathing (suits and caps, bathing robes and sunshades.- . Millinery. 1 Everywhere one sees the crinoline ) —the - “ flop ” transformed into a \ charming hat by' means of a -wired underlining of georgette or lace- on the brim. Some of these' hats are simply trimmed with ribbon velvet; while others feature flowers as well. Not So many “made” hats are being sold, as straw hats are the vogue this season. It is a distinct change to see “feminine” millinery once again, after the severe style of last winter, when everyone wore a felt hat. ThereI is more individuality in millinery at j present than there was last, season. Of Course, the trimmed hat is - not | worn with the simple sports suit or the tailored frock.; Smart straw ready-to-wears are the appropriate headwear for these. The daintier hats are worn with floral .dresses and the lac.e and georgette dresses' which are so popular. , Very , little feather trimming is shown, and then only on the matron’s hat, because it has a softening effect to an otherwise, severe style.

Speaking generally; one finds that to-day the hats match the dresses with which they are worn; but the wise woman always has at least one hat that she can wear with anything, and such a. hat. is . usually white, black, or biscuit shade. The shade that suits the matron extremely well is amythest. It is .a colour under which grey hair looks charming, but the matron is more often better dressed when wearingeither black or navy blue.

In millinery, as in everything else, pay the greatest amount of attention to securing the right hat. It is better to have at least one hat that is truly becoming than three which are only passable.