WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 377, 30 April 1910, Page 10

WOMAN'S WORLD

THE FIRST COURT. PRESENTATION OF EX-COLONIALS. BRILLIANT GOWNS. London, March 4. The first Court of the season was held last Friday evening in the ball-room at Buckingham Palace, and the dresses and jewels worn by the ladies at the great assembly were, it has been opined, more beautiful than ever before. Superb jewels and scores of lovely gowns—color being more noticeable than at last year's Court—made Friday's Royal entertainment a brilliant spectacle indeed. Certain rules of.dressing for a full State reception must be rigidly adhered to, and therefore, to some extent, there is a uniformity observable, but it is remarkable how the decorative touches by different modistes supply a variety of styles. The regulations are: "Ladies will appear in full dress, with trains and plumes. For half-mourning, black and white, white, mauve, or grey should be worn. Feathers should be worn so that they can !b"e clearly seen on approaching the Presence, with white veils or lappets. Colored feathers are inadmissible, but in deep mourning black feathers may be worn. White gloves only are to be worn, excepting in the case of mourning, when blaok or grey gloves are admissable." The bodice must be decollete, save when special permission is obtained in case of illness, infirmity, or advancing age; and the length of the train is definitely stated. Lady Lansdowne wore one of the most exquisite dresses at the Court. The material was chiffon over satin, the color pansy purple, and upon the chiffon there was embroidered an artistic design in violet shaded silks with diamonds and pearls introduced. The skirt was draped from the waist to the hem, slantwise, with chiffon, and the train was of violet velvet lined with silver brocade with, again, a veiling of violet chiffon. One corner turned oack, and on it was laid a trail of clematis in shades of violet.

Another gown 'was of white soft satin and was draped in long, slantwise, sweeping folds, with beautiful fine lace wrought with pearls. The train, which hung with wonderful dignity and grace, was of white crepe de chine, on which iwas draped a veil of superb old lace.

The Duchess of Buccleuch, in attendance on the Queen as Mistress of the Robes, was in a black satin dress, richly embroidered in jet, and worn with a train of wide striped black satin and moire, and on the bodice there was superb old lace. Her Grace wore a magnificent diamond parure and many Orders.

The Marchioness of Tweeddale was in black chiffon, which was wrought with moonlight-blue Venetian paillettes, in a tapering pattern. The bodice was aglow with superb diamonds, and a diamond tiaia and necklet with lovely pearls were worn. The train was of bright Royal blue velour mousseline. It was lined with white satin, and near the end of the hem was a large cluster of shaded, soft yellow chrysanthemums. A dress which excited much admiration was of black satin, clinging and graceful, over which was draped black net embroidered with jet in a singularly rich pattern, bold and effective, yet light and graceful. In it sequins and carbochons were employed. The train was of oxidised silver tissue. This was veiled with chiffon, and on this was wrought in jet and silver a magnificent pattern of ostrich feathers and roses, reaching the whole length from shoulders to hem. The design <was so made that round the edge it was richer and closer, and all of feathers, clustering and curling, and tipped with silver. Lady Dorothy Wood, who is one of Lord Onslow's daughters, was presented on her wedding, and had an ivory-tinted satin gown, the bodice daintily worked with crystal beads, pearls and silk. The sleeves and berthe were of rarely-fine old poin a'Alencon lace over tulle. The train wai of soft ivory-white velvet, and was tied up on the shoulders with crystal and silk cords. Diamond and pearl ornaments were worn.

Madame Kato, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, wore a dress made in Princess style and of bright blue chiffon ■wrought in long, almost straight lines, with silver, gold and nacre in a charming pattern. In the work were large oblong-cut iridescent stones. The train of gold cloth was bordered deeply with old Italian lace, and was handsomely worked in gold. The Marchioness of Salisbury was attired in a cream satin gown, with large raised flowers, embroidered in gold, making a border at the foot of the skirt and continued up it as panels. There was a line of this embroidery on the draped-across bodice, which was finished with some fine old lace. The train was of cloth of gold with gold fringes. The Duchess of Norfolk, who was presented on succession to the Barony of Herries, wore a dress of silver net over cloth of silver. It was draped to one I side, and caught with a, trail of mauve I silk roses. The hem was bordered with similar flowers. The corsage was almost entirely of superb old silver lace, through which the silver shone effectively. The! train, which was suspended from both shoulders, was of silver brocade, almost completely veiled with similar lace to that on the bodice, in the shape of a large old shawl. Very fine diamond and pearl ornaments were worn. The Lady Mayoress of London was dressed in a Princess gown of opal satin chameleon, with a line of embroidery in aluminium thread down one side. The bodice was swathed in cross folds over a chemisette of point de gaze. The small, tight sleeves were of this lace. Long coat-like panels to correspond with the train fell over the skirt at either side. The train, in aluminium thread fine fish net, was wrought in a conventional design with irises and roses. *■ was suspended from the shoulders by aluminium straps, and was lined with pink chiffon. Diamond and pearl ornaments were worn, and a sheaf of Madonna lilies carried.

Lady Shackleton (wife of the Antarctic explorer) wore a pale blue satin dress, with panels of gold embroidery, and a blue velvet train, trimmed with gold lace. Lady Brocklehurst, wife of Sir Philip Brocklehurst (who accompanied Sir Ernest on his famous expedition), was in black satin under net embroidered handsomely in jet, and the bodice covered with a beautiful garniture of jet, diamonds and crystals. The black lace train was embroidered with silver.

Gloves should be straightened out after using and neatly folded, and veils rolled up lengthways to prevent creasing. A few minutes spent on one's clothing each day will save many apenny a year. Never darn fine wool under-garments with wool. It will shrink and pull out a larger hole than the original one. For darning underwear use the looselytwisted knitting silk; darn very loosely, and 'when washed the new texture lias almost the same thickness a.s the knitted article itself.