Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese

AUTUMN and winter showings nowa days are as full of colour as summer modes. The new dahlia shades are really lovely and range from the rich ness of royal purple to the definite cy clamen shades. Taffeta is a delightful medium for these glowing shades. Flum, wine, red cabbage and grape red find their most delightful expression in vel vet.

Evening frocks are sequin spangled or bead embroidered, and lilmy silk nets have exotic flowers lacquered over their surface in shades of peacock, shocking pink, sea green, or cyclamen. Pastel nets are scattered lightly with gold and silver flowers and make the loveliest frocks for debutantes.

Lames and lacquered angelskin satins patterned in brilliant colours, go to the making of evening coats and wraps. One of the most exquisite coats seen was a floor length of white taffeta cloque, hand painted in falling leaf design in green and gold. The sleeves were almost reminiscent of the leg o’ mutton and the coated fitted snugly at the waist and hips from whence it flared widely to the hem. It was a perfect triumph of simplicity and sophistication.

Frocks are featured rather than en sembles in the new designs, and the most popular shades seem to be wine and teal blue. When there is a combination of colours they are strongly contrasted and mixed with a lot of black. A stunning pink jacket is trimmed with bright blue and green soutache and worn with a black skirt.

Afternoon dresses are simple in effect, but full of lovely embroideries. Skirts are shorter and fuller than previously, with the exception of the strictly tail ored garments and these, though short, retain the slim line. Shoulders are wider, too, which tend to make waists look smaller.

COSTUME jewellery is still popular but requires to be chosen with the great est discrimination. See that it is worn with a reason —either because it is just the right thing poised on one por tion of your frock, or the frock needs a necklace or some such ornament to lift it to the heights, and not merely be cause everybody else is wearing it and you simply must follow their example.

Hats are a tremendous thrill. Nearly every one of them, whether small or large, sports a feather trim of some de scription. Some continue with the de finite Edwardian note and hoist an os trich feather aloft. The feathers are thrust at all sorts of different angles— some perch precariously on the side of a pill box, others soar heavenwards. The bird’s wing is particularly attractive on a boater hat, and bows of stiffened ribbon also appear on this type of hat with great success.

Every clothes-conscious woman pays great attention to accessories. They are the “sauce piquante” to the more or less solid fare.

Artificial flowers are very popular in Fashion’s scheme of things, and the variety presented—from quaint little pos ies of patent leather to exquisite French flowers —is really amazing. Great shaggy carnations are delightful for both day and evening and they, like the huge clus ters of French flowers, are worn thrust at the waist or pinned at the low decol letage.

Stockings are a matter of importance.

There are so many shades from which to choose that it makes the choice almost a bewildering one. Colours are, of course, affected by price range and the more sophisticated shades—the new rusty browns and browny blacks—are only suitable for the sheerest weights. A nice beige that is “not too pink and not too sandy” is what the average woman calls for, allowing her imagination to run riot only for formal occasions and evenings.

Two pairs of one shade is almost a gen erally accepted method of purchasing stockings these days that proves itself a marvellous economy.

BENEATH the swing of our short and flaring skirts shoes take on a new importance. They march to the of Fashion’s parade and there is a whole regiment of designs. Suede looks like being first favourite with calf a good sec ond. It appears also as though skin shoes will stage a comeback. Crocodile makes

attractive, good wearing walking shoes, but it regrettably remains expensive as ever.

Lots of the new shoes are showing per forations. Some are punched all over while others display geometric designs.

There are no freak fashions in the new showings of shoes, they just are charm ing and simple, relying on good work manship and design for interest. Though still cut high in front, the newest shoes are not quite so high as last season’s.

Lots of wine red shoes are now seen, and there is something quite Edwardian about some of them faced with deep red kid and fastened on the collar with two tiny buttons. More of the suede shoes are piped with kid or patent leather.

TROPIC dwellers who visit cooler climes during the next few months will be confronted with the problem of keep

ing warm—the solution is woollen under clothes! It savours of grandma’s days and red flannel, but don’t be misled Woollen underwear is one of the present season’s popular stories. The froth of wool chiffons and voiles is every bit as attractive as the summer variety; they are as soft as down, as light as silk, and of almost cobweb fineness. Satin and silk appliques are featured on lingerie and the shades are heavenly.

The lacy woollen negligee is really love ly. and one of white lined with the palest shade of blue satin has heavy cords to draw up the neck and the ful ness at the waist. The new wool chif fons have such wonderful draping possi bilities for negligees and house-gowns.

Modern woman is indeed fortunate, and the lovely gay collection of clothes for every occasion gives her the opportunity to develop her individuality along what

ever lines she thinks most suitable. In the ballroom, the street or in her bou doir, Fashion has pandered to her every whim and she chooses her clothes with an intelligence that ensures her immedi ate success wherever she goes, and what ever the occasion.