Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese.

“O woman in her hour of ease, Uncertain, coy and hard to please.”

SURELY the disgruntled meanderings of a mere male, and yet—perhaps the cry of the Couturier as he searches wildly for something different and entirely char ming to present to “My Lady of Fashion.”

“Nothing new under the sun,” ’tis said, so he turns to the Victorian era, and gives us ruffles —ruffles of black net on coloured evening gowns, bustles in many shapes and forms, and demure high necklines achieved in the most subtle way.

The Orient brings inspiration and all the atmosphere of old China is captured in the glorious new printed silks. They come to us, too, as beautiful as a Japa nese garden—brilliant poppies on a black background, exquisite wistaria on a ground of deeper mauve, cherry blossoms, and a thousand breath-takingly lovely designs. The Oriental silhouette is achieved by the Coolie hat, mandarin sleeves on a tunic blouse, and the even ing wrap with kimono sleeves.

Bamboo buttons trim our newest clothes and in fear and trembling since we know not what they mean, we add a button with Chinese characters to our sports frocks and hope against hope that its quaint let tering spells just “chic.”

The Directoire mode presents itself with dashing tricorne, bows thrust under the chin, and capes of every variety for every occasion.

Taffetas are staging a delightful come back, but in a new and supple variety; and from the top of her shining head to the tips of her little toes, Miss Moderne goes taffetas clad. On her curling locks sits a tartan taffetas hat of tremendous chic. Spring is in the air as the golden blonde tucks in her waist a bunch of daf fodils and rustles joyously in a gown of green flaring wide at the hem line. Her more vivid brunette sister pins her faith to a gown of flaming red —a glamorous affair —its petalled train swirling allur ingly like some exotic tropical flower.

Surely a season of beauty!

There is glorious movement about our clothes. They are excitingly and adven turously alive —swishing trains, flying wings, swirling skirts, flung back move ments —not a dull moment. Is it not to be wondered then that we cry with glori ous abandon “Away, dull care”?

A combination of perfect simplicity and elaboration is achieved with a dull angel skin crepe of startling simplicity in cut, embroidered with irridescent sequins, gleaming and glittering with every move ment. A diaphanous frock of black and white tulle, so mistily beautiful that it must have been woven by the goddess “Freya,” is lifted to further heights by tiny rhinestones lightly scattered —a dew spangled cloud.

Beads and sequins appear on almost everything for evening, while sequin scarves and capes add a joyous touch to the plain well-cut frock. Rows of sequins trim our tunics and the gauntlets of our evening gloves. Ice-blue satin is the choice of the very fair maid, who thus clad becomes a Nordic princess. Rock crystals further enhance the illusion.

In these days of frills and yet more frills, the afternoon-cum-evening gown enjoys a well earned popularity. It is a charming little affair, boasting separate frills attached to an underslip which lat ter discarded, leaves the frock the correct length for afternoon wear. A little coatee, long of sleeve, hides the low decolletage, and we saunter forth to afternoon parties with smug self-satisfaction that comes from the knowledge of something achieved.

The tunic dress is one of dual persona lity, too. Silks, linens, cottons, go to the making of this extremely useful garment.

So little material is required for its skirt which may be made on a lining, a further economy which makes constant change possible.

Cool, fresh and summery are the new cotton materials. Charming plaid designs, florals, spots, stripes mean all-day chic and joy for thos£ of limited means. Cot tons once again mean chic for festive hours. Gaily scattered flowered cottons are swathed at the waist, kimono-like with a wide sash of vivid coloured silk to tone, and are successful beyond one’s wildest dreams for evening* wear.

Accessories are more important than ever. Belts are made of almost every thing conceivable —wool, string, straw, furniture webbing, or gold and silver cords are knotted together carelessly and they give a new lease of life to a frock just losing its first freshness. The floral bib is a new and delightful accessory. It is a little jabot-like affair, massed with flowers. The effect is charming over a plain silk frock, and it can be adapted to both day and evening wear with unquali fied success. While pique collarettes, tailored flowers of the same crisp material add freshness to a slim tailored frock, be it wool or silk.

Gloves again claim our attention. They are made of every variety of material with varied success. Blue and white spotted gloves with blouse and a pert little hat of the same shading and design lend an air of difference to a white linen suit, while a brown blouse of organdie does surprising things to the same suit.

Gloves, shoes and hat also match, and the result is delightfully cool and attrac tive. Try it, and you will not be dis appointed.

Bead necklets, in fact necklets of any variety, have almost faded into insignifl

once, while the old screw-on type of ear-ring gives way to the new clip-on.

Sounds rather terrifying, but absolutely painless, and they come in many and varied attractive designs. Clips are worn with every frock. The new mirror clips, diamante, polished wood, each and every one of them adds its quota of charm to the frock it adorns. Jewelled buckles and brooches are commissioned as a single adornment, and the lovely old bits of paste of grandma’s days are hastily un earthed from almost forgotten hiding places.

Scarves are gay and jaunty with a definitely swagger air. We tie them under our chin or let them flutter in the breeze with careless abandon.

An evening wrap of georgette can be a simple and delightful affair of negligible cost, plus a little ingenuity. A length of georgette—one and a half yards—is used.

Folded in the centre, it is caught with a jewelled clip 12 inches or so from the fold which then forms the newest of new monk’s hood collars for your wrap.

While bags for day wear have increased in size, the evening bag becomes more diminutive. Dainty feminine things of lame, velvet, or georgette, heavily beaded or sparkling with diamante, charm the hearts of us all and fill us with intense satisfaction.

The very latest and smartest thing in dinner hats is the mandarin crown of shining black straw. On its pert little crown sits a jewelled ornament and its brim of tulle does wicked things to one’s eyes and enslaves the heart of the most difficult man. A decided accomplishment in this world of surplus women, I’m sure you will agree.