FRILLS FADS & FOIBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

FRILLS FADS & FOIBLES

TRAVELLERS’ MANNERS

By HILDA WARREN Nowadays, when we are all travellers of a kind, it would seem absurd to be written down by other folks as an inexperienced person. Unsuspecting people would be surprised, no doubt, that this could happen to them —in A.D. 1927—but it happens! The etiquette of travel is interesting, because it throws the ordinary lapses, of thoughtlessness usually, into such stark relief. It provides the best possible clues to the disposition and outlook of our fellows, and provides them gratis. Selfish ness The traveller in a booking-office queue who thrusts himself or herself into a neighbour’s place; the selfish person who tries to engage the book-ing-clerk in answering questions which should have been asked elsewhere; the lordly person who spreads luggage all over the rack; the individual who

I bangs up windows without a “would you mind”? even to a lady near-by; i the loud-talking pair or party who j treat the strangers around them to 1 their private affairs in extenso! to these and other types we may concede the epithet: “Inexperienced!’’—for want of something worse. But the greater number of breaches are made through innocence. It is generally understood that, in entering a train or tram, a bus or taxi, the man should help in his feminine companion before taking a seat himself —but that, on alighting, he will precede her, to help her out. The Lone Girl Once inside. however. too much fussing with wraps and belongings becomes a kind of offence. It disturbs one’s neighbours. Little frets and turnings about delays, likewise, are one’s private anxieties, and should be suppressed as far as possible in public.

When a girl travels alone, however, some interesting problems arise.

Should she willingly enter into conversation with the other passengers—of either sex? On a long journey, yes; for talk that becomes tiresome can be brought to a quite graceful end with the aid of some reading matter, which is indispensable on these occasions. Meeting in a train, a man with whom she is slightly acquainted, the girl agrees to go to lunch with him in the restaurant car—should she allow him to pay her bill? No! She may mention to the attendant when the meal is over, that they would like separate bills; or she may wait until they are back in their compartment, ask him how much was her share, and pay her companion then. Should She Pay? It is otherwise if the acquaintance is less slight. But then it is a matter of words that must decide! “Would you lunch with me?” is an invitation which she may accept; and the man would be offended, in the circumstances, if she paid. “Let us lunch together,” however, either as a reply or as the first suggestion in the case, is the tactful way of agreeing that each shall pay his or her share. The simple taxi ride offers two problems that matter. One is whether the nature of the journey justifies the particular escort—and old-fashioned prejudices apart, it is still an important point; the other is, who pays? Only if the ride is part of an accepted invitation to dine or to dance, etc., or some other social necessity, should the man be allowed to pay the fare. If it is merely that you have met the man—an existing acquaintance —and your homes are in the same neighbourhood, then whichever of you arrives first at the destination will pay his or her share of the hire. But, all in all, there is no rule, but that once you have absorbed it, you see in it the essence of taste, consideration for others, and common sense. And that is the whole of “etiquette.”

LACY LOVELINESS

By ISOBEL FRANCIS. The vogue for lace as a dress fabric is as daintily expressed this year as ever, with much originality in some of the latest models. Many lace frocks show “clear” patterns, flowers and fruits depicted with no confusion of weird foliage or backgrounds. One such overdress worn with silk slips in a variety of coloured silks is an economical idea. But lace to match the slip underneath is most fashionable. In some of these overdresses, variety of design is achieved by having beads sewn on the lace, or by the insertion of pailettes of glass. Certainly the full frocks of fine lace worn with wide-sleeved coats lined with chiffon, and parasols decorated by lace ruchings, are the most dressy outfits one can desire for smart outdoor events. Lace Like Glass A delightfully original scheme is carried out by a Mayfair dress designer, who has worked on to a black taffetas semi-period frock a deep hem of gauze’ lace, closely resembling spun glass. This hem glistens when the light catches it, just as if it were of mother-of-pearl. Another lace-hemmed frock designed by the same house, all in grey, the lace being dyed to match exactly, has a bodice made entirely from the lace. Such fluffiness as vestlets of lace are so warmly welcomed this season that on some models they are the most important feature. Ecru net slipped into a deep V neck is trimmed with full frills of filet lace sewn on the slant to emphasise their fullness. It seemed as though the scrap bag had been rifled to make a vestlet and Peter Pan collar which I saw the other day, and in which three narrow insertions were stitched in rows. Taffetas

and dyed lace, and black suede and white lace, make other attractive panels. Tab* and Points Perhaps lace is most appreciated on underwear, for cami-knickers, petticoats, and nightgowns are now uniformly trimmed with wide lace at the hems. Insertions, with points and tabs, formed by the large floral patterns stretching beyond the border, provide unusual designs for insertions. The neatest design I have yet seen in underclothes is a pair of eau de nil cami-knickers which are completed by a skirt of rows of cream lace, mounted on a net foundation. Metal laces make effective underskirts to the taffetas “pict-ire” gowns, and evening frocks of chikYon whose bodices are tight, but whose skirts are billowy and petalled. Silk laces, with their patterns outlined by golden threads, create other attractive skirts. One of the most popular novelties this season is the use of narrow lace on the new millinery at the edge of the ribbon band and the binding. Silver lace is popular for these trimmings, but beige lace, and motifs to match, are the most fashionable ornaments on the crown and brim of a large, shiny, black straw.