What Is Being Worn

Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese.

“THE flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la” have out-bloomed themselves in their desire to capture the errant fancy of the modern woman. They lend them selves in all sorts of delightful designs to cottons, chiffons, taffetas, and silks; and so great is their charm that “My Lady” succumbs to them completely, and uses them for afternoon and evening gowns with tremendous success.

Since sashes are worn, she swathes her waist with sashes soft and sashes crisp, some of them with bows of such enormity that by contrast her waist assumes the waspish proportions of the good old days of the gay 90’s.

Belts take their place, too, and a belt of gold tucked tissue with a decorative jet or jade clasp, gives chic to the nth degree to a plain, well-cut dinner gown of black crepe. All sorts of odds and ends of gaily coloured wools crocheted together, go to the making of a most at tractive belt, which boasts as its fasten ing a miniature log of polished wood. It does the most exciting things to a frock of any shade.

Reptile skin bags and belts are as popular as ever, while skin shoes give splendid service. And now comes the

reptile skin hat, delightfully soft and adaptable, and of tremendous chic.

Inspiration for evening gowns comes to us from the courts of Bonaparte, and those glamorous old world frocks make of the modern Josephine one for whom any Napoleon would count the world well lost.

Rythmic ripples flow softly to the hem of a gown of sea green chiffon, softly patterned in the most exquisite flowered design suggestive of all the airiness of spring.

Clouds of drift down gossamer-like tulle are seen on many models. The charming, provocative Miss clothes her slim beauty in gauze—sheer white organza, trimmed with row on row of tulle ruchings. A vivid sash falls to the hemline and she is loveliness complete.

The evening decolletage is varied as a woman’s whims. Deep V’s narrow to the front waistline (for which, by the way, a new type of brassiere has been evolved): low wide square necks and softly falling monk’s hood collars, offer a wide choice for us all. The back slit-to-the-waist mode is being sponsored by our ultra and more daring sisters for day wear, too.

Feathers are used with success; and if in the dim recesses of some almost for gotten place you can find some tucked away you may count yourselves among Fortune’s favoured, since they are fash ion’s latest decree.

A tawny wing effect of cock’s plumes adorns the shoulder of an evening gown of the clearest yellow, while the hem of an evening gown boasts ostrich feather trims —sometimes at the back, sometimes at the side, but always delightful where e’er they be.

A combination of colours is the mode of the moment. Two shades of blue are a delight, while green and white become a duet in coolness. The two colour vogue extends to evening gowns, too. Have a skirt of satin and vary your blouses as your wayward fancy wills. Introduce a third colour per medium of a sash and hi presto! you have materialised a dream.

Fastenings no longer being things to hide, we flaunt them openly. Indeed with the so delightful buttons coming to us in sizes and shapes of infinite variety what else could we do? Glass buttons are ours but glass with a difference—a dull sheen that has much appeal.

Fronts of blouses are poked forward and pinched together, as it were, by link buttons —an intriguing and amusing ar rangement.

For the suit which one must possess, what could be better than linen tweed. It is really marvellous. With it is worn a mannish waistcoast —multi-coloured as Joseph’s raiment; or, in plain or contrast ing shades, and it gives that intangible something, designated “chic.” Slipped over a plain well cut frock joy is yours.

A silk frock of polka dots gives dis tinction, with an air of difference, and

with the addition of a coat it rises to the heights.

In your wardrobe an ensemble you must have, spelling as it does economy and elegance with a capital “E.” It is the direct and almost miraculous addi tion whereby one outlay becomes a com plete wardrobe in itself —a different blouse, a change of frock, all under the one yeoman service coat. It fills us with delight, and adds further to its virtues by gladdening the heart of a man to whom extravagance is a bugbear.

Short fitting bolero jackets vie with the swagger variety and bolero fronts are added to frocks with great success.

Mesh materials, the gift of the gods to appease tropic dwellers on the matter of climate, make admirable frocks and blouses, and when extended to undies give coolness all along the way.

Blouses in jacket and jaunty basque effects are the dernier cri. Bodices are tucked and pleated in devious ways, neck lines are swathed, and the vogue for the one-sided effect is rampant. Rows of hail spot muslin forming a jabot effect look deliciously crisp and lend untold charm to sober frocks.

For sunshine days, there is the frock of floral linen of a freshness that enchants us, and the dimity with its quaintly sprigged patterns serves us the clock round. Tailored skirts are slim and shor ter than of yore, featuring the slashed side or front which maintains the straight lines, while allowing the necessary free dom of movement.

Beach accessories are enthralling. Col oured string and the humble hessian make the most attractive belts, bags, cushions and so on, ad infinitum. All sorts and conditions of quaint designs are couched on the hessian with vivid string—little ships with sails gaily aflutter in the breeze; jolly little hornpiping jack tars, undulating lines suggestive of the sea, quaint little fish, their popping eyes wide with wonderment at their own intriguing shapes; all add to the call of the sea in holiday time.

Throwing caution to the winds, the surfing girl answers the call in the briefest possible swim suit, after which, with the enchanting contradiction which is essen tially woman, she wraps herself com pletely in a neck to knee wrap or cape, and basks in the sunshine, happily com placent at this belated display of modesty.

Hats come to us in infinite variety— fine and coarse straws, frivolous and tailored, large and diminutive, they are all delightful. Berets are not longer as we once knew them —large, squashy, pan cake effects; shallow tricornes, strange one-sided models, all of which we wear with a prayer in our hearts that they are our type.

Hair ceases to stray and curls lovingly upward about the head, and more than ever must it be well groomed if to be soignee is your ultimate desire.