Fashion Hint’s for Islands Women
pp. 63-64 · Read in the full issue
By Therese
r "PHERE is a festive spirit in the air now! * that Christmas approaches, and the] spirit is evidenced in the gaiety and] charm of the season’s clothes. Brighter and happier than ever, there is such an endless choice for any hour of the day that we are almost breathless with wonder and admiration at the dress makers’ offerings. Delightful linens and cottons vie with silks for supremacy, and since the victory lies with each, they call a truce. i 1 Uncrushable linens are an absolute boon, since apart from the excellence of their appearance, they combine beauty and durability. Quaint little figures are woven into them—fish, flesh, and fowl — giving a charm that is undeniable. Voiles, also uncrushable, are delightful, and in some instances are of such exquisite fineness that it is impossible to distin guish them from the new sheers. Pastel organdies, self-printed in shadow effect, have the appearance of fine lace and are ideal for the ingenue for dance and party frocks.
Silks have never been so lovely, and they, too, pattern themselves with a variety of designs. Silks colourful as a floral festival are worn for day and evening, and are blended with such cleverness, that in many instances the colour combination outrivals Joseph’s coat of many colours. Vivid sheers go to the making of evening frocks, and are as popular as their floral sisters.
Simplicity and grace mark the soft flowing lines of a triple chiffon gown.
The bodice is softly gathered to fulness, and the skirt, slim fitting to the hips, swirls widely. An enormous detachable scarf floats from the shoulders.
Audacious stripes of orange and purple make an unusual and striking gown, the skirt of which is pleated and spreads fanwise. It is worn with a swathed turban of the two shades and with purple satin sandals.
A slim gown of white takes unto itself a broad belt of gold, and a scroll of gold runs from the square decolletage to the hem of the slashed skirt which flares widely behind. Gracious for the older woman is silver lame. Wing sleeves also add to her charm, and the silver lame gown with wavering stripes, made on Empire lines, embodies these two fea tures with immediate success.
For the young and very sweet comes the frock of plainest blue organdie with deep blue velvet sash. The bodice is slim fitting and has a pale blue jacket appliqued with velvet and silver. The skirt of the frock floats voluminously over a taffeta foundation.
There is a softness about the formal daytime clothes. Bodices are gathered, skirts are full, and waists are swathed with sashes, and the wide-leafed hats that are worn with them, are a tribute to femininity.
The square neck, soft shirring and slightly extended shoulders of a gaily printed frock form a delightful change
from the high-draped neckline that had become almost a fetish with us. It is fast gaining popularity again, as indeed it should in Summer weather.
Enormous flowers cut from gaily coloured prints are appliqued on plain frocks and strike a definitely new note.
A frock of this variety has sleeves that stop above the elbow and a four-gored skirt. Gores, by the way, are an excellent medium for achieving skirt fulness, and there is a graceful swing about skirts of this type.
Peplums and basques are youthful and find favour for day. and evening, either as part of the frock or an addition to the short fitting jacket.
Flowers matching at neckline and on the brim of a wide-leafed hat are really lovely, particularly as real ones may be worn if desired. When white flowers accompany a black toilette, no greater chic could be achieved.
Bolero frocks have come to stay for the season. A navy crepe skirt chooses a gaily patterned blouse to go beneath its accompanying bolero. And since turbans are le dernier cri for both day and even ing, it happily links up with one of plain and patterned material to match.
Jackets nipped in at the waist line accentuate slim skirts and are charming little adjuncts to any frock. The jacket may be plain and the frock figured or vice versa, but whatever you choose satisfaction will be yours.
A black and pink patterned crepe frock pins a pink flower at its neck line for gaiety, and swathes the waist with a
wide crushed sash. A pink flower on the brim of a broad-leafed hat, and per fection has been achieved.
With all the stunning cottons the sea son has to offer, it is understandable that one should seek these materials to make both formal and informal frocks.
Little scarlet Scotch terriers scamper all over a cream linen frock. A tiny
knotted scarf of scarlet is at the Peter Pan collar and a sash of scarlet swathes the waist. The hat is cream with a miniature bow of patent leather. Little blue ships sail on an azure sea in a frock of the same variety, and a Breton sailor adds a nautical air.
Beach clothes are given as much con sideration as are the frocks for more formal occasions. The culotte skirt has fast gained favour, and is well in the forefront of beach fashions. Beach frocks with sun-tops take unto them selves gay little jackets and become suit able wear for more formal occasions.
Bathers come in a variety of designs and materials, those of Lastex being par ticularly delightful. They are in multi colours and cling to the figure lovingly.
Poaching on male preserves, large silk handkerchiefs are brought into commis sion and do duty in many ways—as cow boy scarf, peasant handkerchief, and sun top. The result is so pleasing that man overlooks the raid on his wardrobe in his admiration for woman’s ingenuity.