Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese.

QUALITY rather than quantity is an adage that every woman should do well to remember, for by rigid adherance to this rule her reputation for chic will be enhanced. Good foundations can be gayed up in so many ways by the charming accessories that are offered nowadays, that a careful choice of these will give a small wardrobe endless possibilities, Plain frocks top themselves with printed boleros, and swathe their waists with gaily patterned sashes. When printed frocks are worn, plain sashes and accessories take pride of place.

A navy frock with finely pleated bodice and skirt swathes its waist with a spotted sash of navy and white. A navy hat with tie-ends is worn and the accessories match up. A starched lace frock takes unto itself a flaring bolero and trims its bodice with innumerable tiny buttons; and beige lace of this variety offers infinite possibilities for varied colour schemes. Allied to leaf green—a sash and a wide green hat—it looks delightfully cool and attractive.

A coral frock patterned in black and white adds a little white jacket, and pins a posy of coral and black flowers at the neckline. The skirt swings wide and the sash ties in front for a change.

Shirring is flattering and the square neck is new, so that a frock combining these features will be one of the smartest of the season. All sorts of necklines are favoured, and there is no necessity to follow sla\dshly one particular idea that

might appeal but is entirely unsuited to your type, Very simple and soft, and useful through the hottest days is the frock with the gathered shoulder and deep V-neckline.

Flowers are its only note of adornment, Washable materials are important in the tropics and practically all the materials offered by the manufacturers possess this virtue, even to the gaily patterned ones printed in four or five colours, There is youth in every line of the dirndl, or peasant frock, with its full skirt and quaint peasant air, and when evolved in one of the attractive printed muslins or self printed organdies in pastel shades it is really delightful. This is a style that can be readily adapted to both day and evening wear with great success. A little of the fullness is dispensed with in the daytime version. If worn for beach or sporting occasions, a peasant handkerchief keeping straying locks under control is a fitting accompaniment, Widely spaced splashy chiffons are at their loveliest for formal wear, and a flowered dress of cobalt blue, patterned in blue and rose, has a high draped neckline and below the elbow sleeves. Gored full ness gives a lovely swing to the skirt.

Quaintly patterned linens are made on tailored lines, their gay colourings obviat ing any necessity for further trim. Pic caninnies with gaily coloured mammy tur bans grin cheerfully from the white ground of a shirtmaker frock of this material.

A sheer that will give yeoman service for formal and informal occasions is made with a tailored pleated skirt, crisp sleeves, and flattering white collar.

Shadow organdie frocks with a tiny de sign printed in a lighter shade, are really exquisite. Made with the full swing skirt, over a taffeta foundation, full puff sleeves, and tight little bodice, they are ideal for the ingenue. A more modified version makes a formal afternoon frock which, when worn with a picture hat and clusters of flowers, is the envy and admiration of all who behold its crisp perfection.

Taffetas are still worn for evening and the fullness demanded for this type of material is gained by gores that swish widely in the back of the skirt. Coats and jackets are made of taffetas and make cool wear for tropical nights.

Bolero jackets are worn over backless

frocks, and boast puff sleeves. A mauve chiffon swings wide with the dance, and is held aloft by tiny straps. A huge clus ter of violets trims its low V-decolletage and single violets are scattered over the skirt. A top-knot of the same flowers perches jauntily on the head.

Colour combinations are cleverly adap ted for evening wear. An evening frock has a slim black skirt, flaring at the back, a softly gathered coral bodice, and a widely swathed green sash falling in a panel to the hem of the skirt. Sheath gowns are coming into their own again—column slim, with the fullness beginning from below the knees at the back. The newest form-fitting frocks swirl their fullness all round from below the knees.

The march of time with its wars and rumours of wars has a wide influence on our choice of headgear, and coolie hats, sombreros, and all sorts of quaint head gear appear on Fashion’s horizon.

Hats rise or fall to suit one’s every mood, and plateau hats are extremely popular. Veils more than ever are part of feminine hat fashions, and these are arranged in new and subtle ways, swathed round and tied in a perky bow at the side.

Brims are important and material hats are made in adaptable styles to suit the occasion.

Mower-trimmed hats with chin straps are further vagaries; but if you have the

slightest suspicion of a square chin, avoid them like the plague. You may be proud of your determination, but it is not always wise to draw attention to tell-tale features.

Cocktail and evening hats are frivolous and charming, and are made of whisps of material twisted and swathed, and some times flower-trimmed.

Large hats of the picture variety are flower-trimmed, and the really broad brimmed sailor is the essence of chic when one large bloom relieves its tailored sim plicity.

Annabella hats are still with us; but their popularity sounded their death knell and in a short while they will be seen no more. They will, however, be the founda tion for new and youthful styles.