Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese

COLOURS in this year of grace 1937 are more glorious than ever, in fluenced by the brilliancy and pageantry of the Coronation —blues, reds, and royal purple. Then comes Persian Rust, a lovely glowing shade between henna and red, and all the greens of Spring and the warm tints of Autumn. Even when the gown is of sober black, a ruffle be neath the hem in some brilliant colour brings it to sudden life and beauty. Brown is still a smart colour, and grey in vary ing shades takes unto itself all the Coronation colours with complete success.

Lovely prints depicting London Tower, royal coaches, crowns and sceptres, with fairy-tale glamour tempt us to extravag ances. Glittering gold and silver cloth, moulds into gowns of unbelievable beauty.

Like breast plates, the broad extending revers of silver lame, stitched and re stitched, lift a gown of taffeta to the heights. As a direct contrast to many models the bodice is skin tight, while the slim hipped skirt spreads voluminously.

An enormous ruching of tulle froths about the shoulders of a royal purple evening frock, which has rows of gradu ated stitching on the wrong side to give a ribbed appearance.

A glamorous chiffon runs cascade draperies from the knees to its ruffled hemline. The same little cascades fall from the bodice which is held aloft by slender shoulder straps, one of which is jewelled and gleaming.

For the ingenue, frills and froufrou have the greatest fascination, A gown of net spangled with pailettes crosses the border line from youth to sophistication with its strapless bodice and low decolletage.

There is a nymph-like beauty about the slender maid who wears a gown of orchid pink and encircles her waist with an enormous rose coloured sash tying un expectedly in front. A sunpleated cape, romantic and beguiling, lends it roseate enchantment.

A chiffon dinner dress puts its trust in the finest of shirring at the neck, waist, and wrists to make it a success.

Evening coats come in infinite variety— all enveloping wraps which reach from neck to hem in a single fluid line; cavalier capes brilliantly lined, that swing with gay abandon; knee length coats of taffeta with billowy sleeves; and dear little jackets of gold and silver lame.

Tunics are made out of almost any thing, in the most varying styles for both day and evening.

Skirt lengths are unchanged, though the formal afternoon frock is an inch or so longer than those worn for practical and sports wear. Nothing could be worse that a really chic afternoon gown little more than knee length—all its beauty is gone.

The normal waist is most general; but for evening the extended skirt effect which shortens the bodice, is almost Empire in its slim and lovely line.

Fulness flows from the knees—subtly

concealed fulness achieved by clever cut and ingenious inverted pleats.

Most evening gowns boast sleeves — wrist, short, or elbow length, with ful ness at or about the elbow. A marvellous idea is to attach sleeves which can be removed at will.

Loose swing back jackets lead the way in the new modes, finger tip length being most popular.

The soignee woman the type of woman men admire —gives attention to the tiniest detail of her appearance. Her clothes are well cut, her gloves simple but of quality impeccable, and her shoes have the same virtues. She chooses sleek little suits, and dresses with jackets that serve the clock round. Beautifully moulded gowns are her choice for even ing.

Accessories are a question of utmost importance. Every ensemble has quick change of bits and pieces, including gay unusual scarves of taffetas, that change its outlook in the twinkling of an eye.

Perky little hats bob up and down in intriguing fashion.

Pastel tinted glass belts are greeted enthusiastically, as are cleverly plaited ones of cellophane. Choker collars of semi-precious stones are sought feverishly. Scarves and sashes make bright colour splashes.

Buttons assume special importance.

Castles, crowns, and coins of the realm oust the ordinary everyday button from its utilitarian place.

Lacquered braid is an important trimming motif of the season and coloured lightening fasteners add notes of contrast to day frocks.

Beach clothes are gay and alluring.

Fish sport themselves in bright array over towelling wraps which cover brief swim suits.

Rubber suits, soft as silk, cling lovingly to the figure. A bottle green surf suit adds a deep red terry cloth cowl coat, while a satin bathing suit bands itself with green rubber.

Play suits, peasant handkerchiefs, and gay little toeless sandals add their quota to the beach outfit.

Complete frocks of white terry cloth are quite the most charming beach wear.

They button from neck to hem, are little more than knee length, and are em broidered with all the wonders of the sea.

The culotte or trouser skirt, is the ideal garment for almost all sports wear.

It is comfortable, sufficiently modest, and has infinite charm. A navy culotte dons a navy shirt, and ties a scarlet cowboy handkerchief at its neckline. This style

can be adopted for all sports. In tweed, for golf, linen for tennis and so on.

Beach hats range from the Mexican sombrero to the gob cap, and each and every one manages to achieve indi viduality.

Sports shoes come in surprising variety—two toned ties; the übiquitous sandal; ghillies for golf or, if you choose, the masculine oxford; and if you wan; safety in stormy seas your yachting shoes must have hemp soles.

To keep abreast of the onward march of fashion for when you come South, study the following modes for Winter v/ear decreed by the experts:— Straight and simple black wool frocks worn with finger length coats and vivid three corner scarves.

Three-quarter length swing back jackets with brilliant blouses.

Capes over tweed coats and skirts.

Frocks trimmed with their own material snipped into a fringe.

Black woollen dinner dresses high of neck -with scarlet scarf and silver belt.

Dinner frocks of flannel, girded with silver or gold cord.

Black velvet floor length capes with Fra Angelica hoods.

Evening coats of facecloth.