WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 8 December 1911, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD.

(Conducted by "Eileen.") LONDON FASHION NOTES LARGE HATS AGAIN. London, October 20. The fashion prophet who foretold the demise of large lmts was sadly out in •his calculations. A month ago it certainly did look as if small and mediumsized shapes were to rule the feminine roost, but within the last ten days—when most of the great dressmakers have held dress and millinery shows—large hats, some enormous, have been as numerous as ever. Tho difference between this and last year is that while last year the only small models allowed were swathed abominations of muchbefrilled toques, this year there are just as many pretty small shapes as huge ones. Anything more uncomfortable than a very large hat on a wet winter's day in London —either in crowded streets or in 'buses—it would be hard to imagine, vet once again we start the winter in great velvet and felt models. It is by no means an uncommon sight—in fact, is an everv-day one—in a 'bus to see the veils of two women tangled together as if the respective owners, absolute strangers and probably miles apart in | station, were Siamese twins. Never-1 theless, with all its faults, there is no doubt whatever that a large hat is more generally becoming than a small one, and for state occasions is much more impressive. Many of the smartest novels have (lowers and no other trimming. There is a tendency to bunch about tlireegrr.it velvet orchids or dahlias together at one corner of the crown at the kick, and the result is smart, but seldom becoming. since the effect is necessarily hard. So far this represents the onlv method of flower trimming, except on the pretty little "Dolly Vardcn hats, which have coquettish posies at each side. Motor bonnets, too, sport flowers for trimming. WHITE WOOL HATS. These and white felt hats trimmed [ with woollen "brushes'' and bands of knitted wool will quickly do for their own popularity if the winter continues as it has begun. A fog plays havoc with white wool ornaments, and quickly turns them into dirty, sodden-looking objects. THE BLENDTN:;: Or ruRS. Some very beautiful sets are now being shown. Ermine or white fox nearly always forms the "middle" of a muff or stole, while mole, sable, black fox, chinchilla, sealskin, beaver, skunk, and even the homely opossum makes the edge. Until his new style came in muffs showed signs of being smaller than last year. Now, however, they are again big and 1 exceedingly handsome. One new departure in fur sets shown this week was a wide stole and great muff of beautifully marked leopard skin, edged with long black fox. Skunk is, perhaps, so far, the most popular fur for hat trimming, and it is oftenest used in conjunction with lace.' Ermine is, as ever, a favorite on black velvet hats, but these models are always very exnensive. PANELS. The separate panel on skirts has gone the way of dead fashions, but there is a new front panel this week in its place. Most gowns of to-day are made all in one, and this panel falls from an ornament on the dccolletage (generally a square buckle or large flat bow) to about half-way down the skirt. It cannot be said to be either becoming or stylish, since we have not yet been accustomed sufficiently to it to find it even sensible. So far it gives the dress it ornaments something of the flavor of a tea gown. SCARVES. I Those trifles that seem to be as much j a part of an Englishwoman's toilet as her boots or her hat are this year very wide, and nearly all have printed borders. EASTERN NOTE. It is now said that the Eastern note which is to rule the season's gowns, hats, cloaks, etc., is very apparent already in evening coats, which are being made of 'brilliant-colored brocaded velvets and silks of great beauty (and, incidentally, of great price) trimmed with rich furs and barbaric ornaments. In spite of the tendency of metallic lace to tarnish in dull, damp weather, there are signs that gold, silver and many colored tinsel laces will again be used in conjunction with Oriental silks, as they were before. Three-tier skirts are becoming very fashionable, and these in clinging materials like ninons and soft silks lend themselves well to the Oriental method of blending colors, since each graduated tier (generally long in the front over the knees and short at the back) can be edged with bright trimming, and where shot ninon in brown and grey, red and gold, blue and red is used the effect is very striking. REVERSIBLE COATS. These are displayed in every window and to suit every purse, quite elegant models being displayed for a guinea. So far, however, the weather is hardly cold enough for the warmth they promise. Some of the newest are exactly like Kaiapoi rugs, even to a fringe of woollen tails round the hem. One very stylish-looking coat on show this week was of white cloth strapped with navy —its only trimming large navy-covered buttons. This was not reversible. BROAD SAILOR COLLARS. These collars, of striped materials, like those that used years ago to be worn by little boys on their "jumpers," are now seen on many coats and skirts. The stripes generally run from shoulder to .-boulder, and a sombre costume is often thus embellished with very bright striped silk, the turn-back cuffs matching. Silk hoods are also to be seen on tailor costumes. COMPRESSIBLE HAT. A compressible hat of plush, velvet, felt and ratine, with even a bandeau made to fold llat in a travelling box, is a novelty which most women will welcome. So far it is a prophecy only—the writer has found none in the shops. WASHING A JABOT. ' Jabots that were told to die long ago. are still widely sported. It is not difficult to launder these becoming things, though many people are afraid to try. Have readv tepid water with a good hither of soap, plunge the lace into this, rinse it through, and let it dry a little, but while still wet pleat the lace into* | the old tucks, run a thread lightly ] through to keep them in place, and I quickly pass a hot iron over them, first on one side ami then on the other. Unless the jabot is very elaborate this will be found to be all that is required. | and there is really no need to unpick the whole thing as is so often done.