COLUMN FOR WOMEN

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 160, 11 March 1915, Page 2

COLUMN FOR WOMEN

LACE ANB FLOUNCES;

We have seen something of the long, full tunic with its soft pleats and flowing lines, which must surely very, soon descend still lower and cover the remaining few inches of the underskirt until it becomes a graceful skirt itself and restores to the figure something of that elegance of outline which has unfortunately during the last few years been conspicuous by its absence. Now fashion is alowing us a delightful luxury in the shape of those fully-floun-.eed skirts, which will be made in a variety of soft and supple fabrics on the coming winter's evening frocks. Not yet, perhaps, are we quite prepared to accept the mid-Victorian skint with its seven narrow flounces pinked out at I the edges, or bordered with ruches of pleated ribbon, but in the meantime, and as a sort of compromise, some very charming gowns are made with long tunics formed of three deep flounces worn over a slim straight underskirt of the same material. Nothing eouW be prettier than oneof the new evening frocks in this style, made of white | charmeuse, sufficiently short for comfort, the upper tunic composed of three flounces of lace. At the waist there is a folded belt of crimson satin ribbon taken once round the figure, and thor brought across from the back, so that it crosses from the front, just underneath, the topmost flounce. This sash is finally knotted at the back with loops and long ends and makes a delightful splash of colour on the all-white gown Taffeta is to be much used this year for both day and evening gowns, and for the latter we are promised a revival of lace. There will be muel popularity for complete lace toilette? After a long period of entirely undeserved disfavor*-, lace is gradually coming into its own again, and is likely to be used on dresses of all kinds An exceedingly effective French gowft for example, is made in black charmeuse, with a skirt which is practically covered with »ne Jong flounce of very beautiful Brussels point lace This is arranged to give the effect of three flounces, but as a matter of fad it is wound in serpentine fashion rounr 1 the figure, starting from high on the left side, and finishing low down 0" the right, so as not to cut the lr.ee. Th final result is really more becoiuinj than when the lines run straight acro;--the figure and divide it more or lest abruptly into three sections. The bedice of this gown consists of fichu draperies of black tulle arranged ove white Ret, and a low-cut under-bodic< of white Brussels point. The saim black lace is used for making the loiif transparent sleeves, another new fea ture, and at the waist there is a so.fi sash of black satin. Other dainty frocks made entirely in cream-colourc' Aleneon lace over net can be see--caught up with clusters of pink rose:* the bodice as a rule arranged in fich style, drawn under white or coloure sashes. Broad lace shoulder-scarves are rapidly returning to favour, ain may before long take the place of the chiffon or spangled variety. Lace scarves have the double advantage being uncrushable and wearing foi years, and when they are of real lace they increase in value as time goes on and can always be adapted to a variety of different purposes according to wha' may happen to be the mode of the mo merit.

FUItISHSHING By DEGREES. The young couple of tlic prosent day are very wise in many ways, and one is their discernment in matters eon neeted with furnishing. They make the excellent rule theirs of furnishing by degrees, and so securing really beautiful and worthy household goods. The sales help them considerably ir china and hardware, linen, -and carpets, as well as in tables and chairs. Putting by a little every quarter towards repairs is a good policy. Vigilance is the price of many things, arattractive home among tliein. Repairs are necessary, if one wants to appeal to the best advantage. A can of paint goes a long way in the path of beauty and furniture polish wipes away r multitude of disfiguring marks. 3 know women who scarcely ever have new furnishings, yet whose homes are so bright and shining that an appearance of newness perpetually radiates from them. It costs something in time and thought to achieve this result, but it pays well.

WOMAN PATROLS. Considerable progress has already been made with the Women's Patrol Committee, organised by the National Union of Women Workers. TIII3 committee was created in England on account of the presence of a large number of girls in the neighbourhood of the military stations, and it is anticipated that. Scotland and Ireland will soon join the movement. The Chief Constable for London has agreed to sign a card for each patrol in the metropolis, stating that she is a worker authorised by the N.U.W.W., and requesting the police to render her any necessary assistance, and the Home Secretary has requested the chief constables throughout England to do the same. Euch patrol wears a distinctive armlet, and is provided with a small book of regulations. The object of the patrols is to enter into friendly relations

with the girls whom they may see loitering about, and to put them into touch with clubs and other institutions which have been opened in the neighbourhood of military training centres. The Women's Patrol Committee is working in harmony with the G.F.S., the Y.M.C.A., the Mother's Union, and other such organisations. So far, the patrols have heard of no sign of resentment at their kindly interference; the movement has been welcomed by the police, who had previously found much difficulty in dealing with girls between the ages of 14 and 17, whose heedless conduct sometimes renders them liable to unpleasant and untrue suspicions and as- ; persions.