Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Theme

OINCE draperies are the dernier cri for evening, we go clad with classic splen dour in gowns exquisitely draped.

Flowing panels, and floating shoulder scarves, interpret the classical trend.

Satins falling in sculptured folds meta morphose mere mortals into goddesses lovely to behold. Yet withal these folds and draperies, figures are subtly revealed, lissome and graceful with softly rounded curves.

For the ultra-modern woman—she with the courage of her convictions —comes the reward of being different in the sophisti cated, softly-draped and girdled gown, tip tilted in front to reveal narrow parts of contrasting colour. Heel-less slippers of lame, velvet or kid, play a fitting accom paniment and shriek modernity.

A white taffeta frock, its skirt standing out with old world charm, has a cross over bodice made berthe fashion, and tucks a sweet old fashioned posy in its waist. Gar

lands of flowers are roped round the neck for festive hours, for a single flower or a whole galaxy of blossoms may be worn with equal success.

A medieval gown of black velvet or dull crepe, girdles its waist with a heavy cord.

Finely pleated tulle or net outlines its square neck; and long sleeves, full from the shoulder, taper to slimness at the wrist.

Hair worn halo fashion completes a picture of charm.

One shoulder covered, the other bare, is delightfully new for evening wear. Sounds like a slogan, but there is none better of adoption. A georgette gown with all its draperies cleverly arranged on one hip, falls in graceful folds to the floor. Its bodice, softly draped over one lovely shoul der, pins its faith in a rhinestone clasp of huge proportions to make it discreetly safe.

Evening capes are gorgeous and roman tic and breathe revelry in every line.

Swaggering capes reach to the floor as the military influence extends to evening clothes. Tulle capes fall to the knees, and are no longer ruffled and frilled, but crisp and decisive, cleverly trimmed with narrow braid or ribbon velvet and caught at the high neckline with a jewelled clip.

With its fairy-tale air, cellophane tied in huge bows, forms lovely scarves, and is woven into light and airy fabrics with glittering success.

Pleating is still popular and trims the sleeves, neck, and hem line of a most at tractive georgette dinner gown. The full balloon sleeves, accordeon pleated, are the highlights of this lovely gown. Sleeves are of infinite variety—Chinese, bishop, and a new soft variation of the quaint old “leg o’ mutton.”

Day clothes strike a military note, and with their frogged and epauletted shoul ders, pinch back jackets, swash-buckling capes, and yards and yards of braid, are marvellously attractive and dashing.

Soutache embroidery is fascinating and different, and applies itself to tailored and afternoon gowns with equal success. It adorns the waist and yoke of an afternoon frock, which thereby achieves immediate distinction.

A beflowered georgette afternoon gown has full raglan sleeves slit to the elbow, a softly shirred bodice and a wide swathed belt of its predominating colour. A large flower blooms exotically on its shoulder.

For festive afternoons choose a frock of printed crepe de chene (the washing vari ety) with frills at the waist and neck line.

It is full of feminine appeal.

Jackets are worn for divers occasions.

Some have capes attached, others are tight fitting little affairs often in direct contrast to the frock with which they are worn.

Pinched in at the back, dinner jackets are chic personified.

Tub frocks of every variety, youthful and charming in their fresh simplicity, are of such infinitesimal cost one may always go freshly clad. Gay little scarves give them added charm.

A shirtmaker frock —the salvation of every woman’s wardrobe buttons from

neck to hem, consequently becoming a fur ther joy to its tropical owner.

A pale blue or dusty pink linen frock sports buttons of navy with belt and shoes in navy and white as a fitting accompani ment. Red and white glass towel check is made into a frock with an adjustable neck line, square yoke and square pockets. Its short workmanlike skirt is inverted pleated, as are the brief sleeves.

Skirts are slim and short for informal wear and the divided or trouser skirt (its division hidden by an panel front and back) is increasing in popularity. It requires careful tailoring, however, to be really successful. This type of skirt should reach che zenith of its popularity in the tropics since it discreetly eliminates almost all one’s nether garments with full measure of decorum.

Pockets and buttons are worn where and whenever possible. Leather jewellery brings new interest and can be used to match up with bag, belt buttons, and to form most delightful colour contrasts for tailored and sports clothes.

To be slung over the shoulder, quaint knapsacks are made in leather, striped canvas, macrame, linen, or any fabric one wishes and are delightful with jacket suits and simple frocks.

Low-heeled shoes and sandals are correct wear with tailored and sports clothes.

Shoes with square toes and a utilitarian air are delightful in suede and pin-grained leather. Stockings are important. Navy and dark brown are fashion’s latest de cree, and white and dark beige may be also worn. Pinky beiges are tapu, since they are as extinct as the dodo in fashion’s scheme of things.

Next-to-nothing lingerie is delightful.

Strapless brassieres, slips, nighties, form fitting and clinging, set us ashudder at the thought of the red flannel atrocities of our illustrious ancestors. Pink satin allied with coffee lace or net of incredible fineness, makes the most charming sets for the lin gerie wardrobe. Parchment satin surpris ingly and delightfully adds green lace.

Slimmies made entirely of coffee lace yoked and branded with satin are dream-like possessions.

Nighties are picturesque and look like lovely old-world evening gowns. Quaint and demure nighties made on Empire lines add long full sleeves or are ex tremely decollette, covering their bareness with adorable little feminine jackets for the early morning tea hour. Lovely ni *L,es are made of flowered voile ruffled at neck and hem, their puff sleeves full of charm.

Three in one garments—heaven-sent for tropic dwellers— -combine brassiere, panties and dance belt in one tiny garment. Mul tum m paryo, but that fascinating “little” is all that is necessary.

A perfectly cut masculine dressing gown adds feminine allure with quilted satin revers and cuffs. It covers satin pyjamas

in like shade in which the military note is again evidenced by the frogged jacket and braided collar.

Beach wear is gay and colourful. Brief shorts and skirts, bright little sun tops for our sun-baking moments, towelling coats and capes, quaint roped and canvas sandals, eye shades with headpieces, and flap backs like legionnaire caps, all add glamour to the call of the sea. Large gaily coloured towels are thrown round the shoulders in careless abandon and make fascinating beach wraps.

Matching bags are oil silk lined to make perfect hold-alls for our innumerable beach needs.