Topics and Trifles

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 246, 7 January 1928, Page 17

Topics and Trifles

Canine Handbags Veils Again .. , Twinkling Heels . . . Flowerlike Frocks and New Bathing Togs.

What a curious thing it is that no woman ever really considers herself dressed for the street until she has something to carry, whether it be the simple handbag or one of the startling novelties beloved of the Parisienne.

A certain pretty little blonde in town introduce! the fashion of a quaint little dog which she affectionately calls “Growls,” because that is something he never does. She finds her pet useful as well as ornamental, because a cunning dttle opening down his back enables him to be used as a container for the v€;ry necessary powder puff and hanky. FOR MADAME'S CHAPEAU Veils have been “out” for a long, long while, and with the next turn of fashion’s wheel it is not surprising to learn that Parisian milliners are showing their latest models with tiny eye veils. Fine black lace and net form these newest veils, which just reach the eyes, and lend them a mysteriously attractive look. This is an idea for those who are so keen on the smart little aviators’ helmets, and yet fear that the severe lines will prove too difficult to wear. A well-known society woman softens the line of her black felt helmet; with a little scrap of a veil, and fastens it at the side with a diamond and emerald pin. SMOKE CLOUDS Now that so many women have followed their menfolk to the Shrine of My Lady Nicotine, it is only natural that natty smoking suits should find a place in the wardrobe of the smart woman. A particularly charming outfit, with a rose-coloured jumper top, is worn over very wide satin trousers. A double-breasted jacket in velvet, of a deeper shade of rose, completes the suit. Black velvet slippers, with crystal trimming and a large single flower as a buttonhole, make wonderfully smart accessories. BRILLIANT HEELS FOR LATEST EVENING SHOES Shoes of satin, broche, or tissue are still being shown for evening, but the very latest fashion favoured by smart women is for shoes of gold and silver

kid. This is a type of shoe that will appeal to those who find that the satin shoe is too unreliable for hard wear. With these plain kid shoes are worn very elaborate heels, set with brilliants and different brightly coloured jewels. A pair of gold kid shoes are finished with black heels thickly set with garnet-like gems, which form a striking and attractive finish. THE NEWEST SMOCK

Lons familiar to patrons of musical comedy as the garment worn by village rustics, the smock is rapidly taking its place in the wardrobe of the modern woman both by reason of its artistic appearance and the many useful purposes it serves. A most attractive smock seen in one of our big shops was carried out in pale yellow silk, with a tiny band of embroidery worked in brown silk, forming the collar and cuffs. The smock is fastened with brown glass buttons. The fulness in the front is gathered into the shoulder seam with a few inches of honeycombing. A feature of this mock is the sleeves, which are cut very full and tightly honeycombed at the top of the arm to fit the armhole. The girl who is clever with her needle could easily fashion one of these smocks for herself, and thus have an inexpensive and distinctive garment, for which she would find many uses. ROSE PETALS FOR MILADY'S FROCKS The flowers that bloom in the spring are so lovely that lovely women must needs wear them on her spring frocks, and since the real flowers are so frail, the Parisian designers fashion them in silks and velvets, so exquisitely coloured and tinted that it only needs a dash of perfume at the heart to complete the illusion. Paris has definitely adopted the flower fashion, and two charming models seen recently follow this fancy. Camellias in a soft shade of rose trim an ashes of roses georgette frock —two at, the shoulder line, another at the waist, and half a dozen scattered among the soft folds of the skirt. An afternoon gown of silk voile has an attractive and novel finish on the edge of the flowing sleeves, and extending halfway up the skirt. Rose petals in a pale shell pink are sewn

row upon row on the powder-blue material of the frock. The neck line finishes in two long ends, which are knotted at the throat, and form a tie. down the front of the frock. The ends of this tie also show the rose petal trimming. SWIM, GIRL, SWIM! Lucky is the maiden who found a new bathing costume in her Christmas stocking. Whether for the beach or for the water, our suits get smarter and smarter, and not only the suits themselves, but the little accessories that now go to complete an outfit which enables Miss 1928 to listen to what the wild' waves may be saying. For the beach and promenade, attractive little suits are fashioned in jersey silk and taffeta,. At a recent fashion parade a model in wine-coloured taffeta, with bands of tartan on the skirt, and edging the full bloomers, attracted a lot of favourable attention. For the fair swimmer or surfer, however, something a little plainer is desirable, but the plainness is only in the material employed, and not- at all in the style or colour. Among the many costumes worn on fashionable Continental beaches this season the knicker U"o----piece suit in knitted woo! is likely to prove most popular with the Auckland enthusiast. Usually the sleeveless top is in some plain colour, and the knickers, which fasten round the waist with a rubber belt, are gaily striped ir two or tlire contracting colours. A suit of this description was recently seen being worn by a young brunette. Her beach wrap of brightly strip i rubber followed tlie fashion for short skirts, and reacliced just to her knees. Rubber shoes and a gay bandana handkerchief completed her smart and serviceable turnout. HU IA MASE.