STYLE AND THE WOMAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 125, 28 January 1915, Page 2

STYLE AND THE WOMAN.

There is a great difference between "good style” and "bad style.” Both are absolutely obvious, and the dividing line between the two marked enough to make no mistakes -possible. But, on the oilier hand,, when it is considered what good or bad style actually consists of, the question becomes one that is less easy to explain. As so much rests with the individual, the actual shape of colour of gowns and hats is of secondary importance only. Some are born with an innate refinement that prohibits their wearing anything in the least commonplace, and they dress in good style because it is quite impossible for them to do anything else. Then, again, there are people who are Just the reverse, and unconsciously give to their appearance the touch here or there that bespeaks a less refined instinct. A woman dressed by the greatest costumier can be "bad” style, while another woman in home-made attire, shabby hat, and darned gloves is infinitely her superior. Another important point is, what can safely be worn by one person is absolutely impossible on another and this fact is one which, many woman entirely overlook. In so many items of tie toilette this fact is constantly observed by anyone interested in the psychology of clothes. One person, for instance, can wear Jewellery of any size or pat torn, while the same ornaments on another give an appearance of tawdry vulgarity that is unpardonable. Individual Tastes. The woman with a round, well-form-ed, though not necessarily plump, neck looks well in low-cut collars and open necks in the daytime, while others loss favoured by Nature look simply appalling in exactly the same style of neckwear. And why? Not necessarily that tlio one woman is in any way less better bred or lacking in refinement than the other. It is simply that those specific collars and open necks are not her style, and as such she must avoid th cm. The G-olden Rule. In the art of dress the golden rule is to find out what style of attire is most becoming, and to stick to it, never attempting to copy others or to wear this or that because it has been worn effectively by someone else. Those who consistently keep to what harmonises with and enhances their own personal' ity, will never make the fatal mistakes so noticeable among woman every day —mistakes that all unconsciously have lowered their standard of refinement as far as outward appearances go, and gives to the onlooker a crude, almost vulgar, effect that is so regrettable.

It is a great mistake to think that the matter bf good taste in dross is a question of money. ‘Money has very little to do with it. for the spending of hundreds yearly on the wardrobe will not make for perfection in style if the wearer is herself at fault in her choice of attire; while, on the other hand, women with the most meagre of dross allowances can retain a distinguished and well-bred appearance that is entirely apart from the actual monetary value of their clothes, and that no lack of expensive etceteras can ever take from them.