Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By Therese

THE new season’s printed silks are entrancing and combine with plain silks in the predominating shades with such success that one or two com binations simply must be included in every wardrobe. They come in white and dark foundations and are patterned with stripes, checks and polka dots.

There are stripes for the morning, for the afternoon, for the evening, for din ner and cocktail wear, and all are treated in so many different ways that their charm will never pall.

Organzas, taffetas, moires and chiffons still hold pride of place for evening gowns—with a luxurious lame gown seen here and there. A similar lame Empire dress has the bodice defined with black velvet ribbons, the skirt falling in soft folds. Black velvet ribbons again feat ure on a gown of black lace over shining silver, but this time in the shape of bows that are appliqued here and there over the voluminous skirt.

VELVET bows, by the way, are now very popular, and are used frequently on evening gowns—large bows pinned on taffetas skirts, and tiny bows adorning the swing skirt of chiffon frocks. But whatever their size, they are all femin ine and alluring—in fact femininity seems to be the keynote of all the new season’s clothes.

Of equal importance with the gown of bouffant proportions is the slender sheath gown with fulness spreading from the knees, but it calls for foundations par ex cellence. The sheath is seen in many de lightful variations —one such gown of black satin has a huge bow from shoulder to shoulder, draping down the bodice to form a half bow on the right hip. Gleam ing buckles at neck and hip seal it with perfection.

THE two tiered skirt of pre-war years has came back, but with a difference.

The tiny hpdice of a gown of silver threaded lace directly contrasts with the generous fulness of the tiered skirt which hugs the waist with rows of shirring.

The tier of the skirt dips below the knees in the front in a fascinating manner.

That old love, lace, is very fashion able again and appears in a sheath gown that carries a matching scarf.

FLOWERS, as always, play a large part in Fashion’s scheme of things and the charm of artificial French flow ers is something to marvel at. Roses and violets in glorious array burst into bloom and thrust themselves at any angle, with complete applomb. On the hip, on the skirt, on the bodice or in the hair are poised huge clusters of these lovely blooms.

Jewellery, too, comes under the head ing of “important accessories’’ from single light pieces to heavy slave chains and bangles. The lighter, more fragile bits are more in keeping with Islands temperatures.

For day wear there are the most vi brant spun silk dresses in striped black and fuschia and other equally lovely com binations. These dresses fit in for almost all occasions, and the addition of a coat makes them the last word in chic. Leaf green is a lovely shade demanding at tention and a formal afternoon frock of green crepe that trims the bodice with three tailored bows is a useful addition to any woman’s wardrobe.

MOST arresting of the skirts and blouse combinations is the pink and royal blue striped blouse with full

black crepe skirt, worn with a royal blue cummerbund. A little jacket turns it into a three piece that calls forth cries of envy. The ensemble is worn with a quaint straw hat with rearing crown of fuschia that has a smartly upturned brim; or with a black velvet pill box worn with a snood for the more daring.

Both hats are indications of what may be expected as the season advances.

Skirts are varied in shape. There is the princess with its flattering gentle flare coming from a slim and unbelted waist; the pencil-slim has not a flare to mar its smooth straightness; the peg-top abruptly at the hips and seems to ta P er at the hem; and the skirt that concentrates all its fulness in the front, , riie dirndl, too, looks as though it will have another successful season, /CLOVES are as attractive as ever and no set length is dictated. Fabric gloves are so excellent these days that they are accepted almost universally, par ticularly those carrying the cachet that

hand stitching gives. Wash leather gloves, always beautifully soft and sup ple, can be worn successfully with formal and informal frocks.

Nearly all the smart young moderns have adopted the upward hair-do—if not for the day time, at least for evening coiffure. The last lingering doubts are being swept from feminine minds, and it is indeed an unadventurous soul who will not attempt to discover what glamour lies in its adoption. Many lovely acces sories go with this style-combs, small and large, bejewelled and plain, help keep straying locks under control, and all sorts of intriguing designs have been in troduced in the clip-on ear-rings that have ousted the old screw-on type. Some are shaped like a leaf and lie snugly along the ear, others have taken the shape of Japanese lanterns; and many of them are like jewelled flowers.

Sir Harry Luke, K. 8., C.M.G., Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, returned to Suva on July 25 after a tour of the main Central Pacific groups.

Rev. Father E. R. Davids left New Zea land on July 14 by the “Matua'’ on his return to the Cook Islands, after a visit to Holland.