Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese

NEARING a change of seasons, the jaded eye hails with delight any new idea that gives a new lease of life to our slightly jaundiced wardrobe. Bits and pieces, popped here and there with an in genuity that is surprising, lift clothes that have lost their pristine freshness to the heights. Equally is this true of both day and evening gowns.

Sales being everywhere, the woman of discernment sees in short lengths the medium for many changes. She wears yokes, but is not bowed down, so she chooses a short length of lace to make the most fascinating yoke for an afternoon or evening gown of simple design. The resultant success is exhilarating . Again, any short lengths may form a colour con trast in the way of sleeves, collars or peplums.

Gathered ruffles peep from out the neckline of a close fitting jacket with a softening effect that is essentially femi nine. For evening, a soft fluttering scarf ties high at the throat, and falls in lovely folds to the floor.

A delightful rejuvenation medium is the plaited ties of gaily coloured wools, knot ted at the neckline. Gaily coloured plaid taffetas form the most jaunty and fas cinating scarves to wear with an en semble. So supple is this material that whichever way clever fingers may twist it, chic is its portion. Large jabots of the same adaptable silk are equally suc cessful.

Sashes are more popular than ever.

Matching, contrasting, or a combination of colours, they do delightful things to one’s frocks. Large striped sashes, widen ing out to a train, are most effective on a simply-cut gown of black or white, and are astonishingly smart. A sash of velvet ribbon looped like a hangman’s noose, falls to the knees with most unusual effect. A huge taffeta bow at the hip gives a slimness unbelievable.

Sleeves are teeming with interest and come in many shapes—high set-in sleeves with sloping shoulder effect, wide set-in sleeves loose to the wrist like a nun s

habit, sleeves shirred, their fullness fall ing below the elbow, sleeves slim and straight to the wrist or the very newest three-quarter effect —and all are charm ing, offering as they do great scope for individuality.

Blouses and skirts have a host of devo tees, and are a marvellous standby in one’s wardrobe. Skirts have many ups and downs, and the newer models tilt surprisingly upwards in the front while trailing floorwards at the back. The slashed skirt mode still persists and is both comfortable and attractive, reveal ing as it does, ever and anon, a discreet glimpse of silken-clad nether limb. Skirts are still cut on the cross, giving that lovely svelte line. Wrap-on skirts are the answer to the prayer of the pleasingly plump. The crossover bodice with softly falling revers is a fitting accompaniment, its slenderizing lines being most flatter ing to the full figure.

A reversal of form is the skirt of silver lame topped by a satin blouse. A little startling, but of undoubted chic.

O’er the tight-fitting bodice of a black taffeta evening gown huge revers of silver lame, for all the world like a shining breast-plate, give a Puritan effect that is belied by the almost backless decolletage.

The skirt flows voluminously from slim hips.

A slim sheath-like evening gown of soft flame-coloured satin, shrieking sophisti cation in its utter simplicity, has as sole adornment a gold gauze rose at the deep- V neckline. Large gold filagree ear-rings and sandals, body and sole held together by strips of gold kid, make loveliness com plete.

We sing a paean of praise to the cape,, for it comes in sizes and shapes innumer able and covers a multitude of discrepan cies in our wardrobes.

A pleated mariette cape falling to the knees is a fitting accompaniment to a frock of the same softly feminine material.

Shoulder capes of taffeta, tightly box pleated into a yoke, tie high at the neck with an enormous bow. Capes of tulle or fine silk net, shirred with incredible fineness, are dream-like possessions, en trancing in their fairy-like effect, and are aired on every possible occasion with smug self-satisfaction.

Shirt frocks continue to give yeoman service and are a wonderful standby for every hour of the day. There are many variations of them and all successful. It has its skirt pleated, plain, or slashed, and sports many varieties of buttons.

The suit of string linen also holds its own. It is very distinctive when worn with a navy spotted blouse and navy accessories, and proves a delightful change from the inevitable brown which seems a natural combination with string and beige shades.

The Cossack influence is still with us, not so much in the tunic as of yore, but in the bloused and belted coat and cap, and these spell chic personified. Short jackets hold pride of place in the en semble. Swaggers are seen, but in modi fied form only. Jackets need not match the dress, but clever colour contrasts may be introduced. Box pleated short coats, their pleats flaring widely and dipping at centre back are extremely smart when worn over a plain frock which has that poured-in effect, achieved only by virtue of having been cut on the cross.

Lingerie remains bias—lace incrusted satin being first favourite. Exquisite nighties, looking for all the world like evening gowns, grace our slumber hours.

Demure little sprigged muslins, befrilled of neck and hem, are ideal for tropical wear. Brassieres and pantettes of the same quaintly patterned material are really adorable. Such short lengths are required for these latter garments that several sets can be yours for negligible cost—another justification (should such be deemed necessary) for haunting remnant tables at sale time. Exquisite lace edgings make our lingerie worth while; or, if the spirit moves, hand-hemstitched hems give a delightful, tailored finish.

The newest undergarment is the long cami-knicker, first cousin to a slip, but with a band joining front and back at the usual cami-knicker length. Slim and svelte, it is the perfect three-in-one gar ment.

Accessories are delightful and amusing these days. Especially do belts come under this category. Made of glass, soft and supple patent leather, fabric with beads strung across the front, they are delightful to contemplate, while the belt of leather steel studded and buckled leaves nothing to be desired.

Miss Helen J. Beegling, who has many friends in Papua and New Guinea, leaves Sydney on a world tour on March 26, and will visit the East Indies, the Far East, North America, and Europe. She will stay in Edinburgh for some time with relations.

Mrs. Maynard, whose husband is a member of the technical staff of Bulolo G.D. Co. Ltd., has been on a visit to Sydney with Mr. Maynard and their small daughter, Gwynette.