Fashion Hints for Islands Women

By "Therese"

IN choosing clothes for the tropics, remember always that simplicity is the keynote of chic —clothes of well-cut simple design that give freedom of movement are a far greater success than elaborate affairs, the very intricacy of which seems to add to one’s discomfort as the mercury rises.

Whatever the season, cotton and linen remains supreme. Exotic designs on eav backgrounds have a strong appeal; so also have the pastel linens, with their cool appearance and excellent launder ing propensities. Silk linen, too, is ideal and stands up well under the onslaughts of even the most inexperienced “wash boy”.

Why not try for a change an all-white wardrobe and let your accessories tell a gay story? Shirt dresses and tennis dresses will become beloved possessions, and evening frocks of linen or pique are ideal. Have all your clothes made on tailored lines—not strictly masculine, of course, but softly feminine with slight gathers over a moulded bust-line and amusing pockets in bodice and skirt to hold brilliantly-patterned handkerchiefs.

Wear gay cummerbunds around your waist, and fishnet snoods to hold your straying locks in place.

Skirts and blouses are as popular as ever so if you wish to amplify the dazzling white of a skirt wear a dark blue linen blouse and a wide red belt.

PERHAPS stripes are your one con suming passion. Use them in the same way as linens —a striped top and a plain skirt, a striped skirt and a plain blouse. If you want a spectator sports frock, choose one in gay of those new dresses that hang straight and full from the yoke like a little girl’s until belted in.

For evening wear, seek some wide striped fabric from which to make a skirt, wide and flaring; cut diagonally so that the stripes meet all the way down the front and back; top it with a basque blouse that boasts a low square neck and short sleeves, and button all the way down the front. Wear seashell necklets and bangles (they are easily procured in Australia, or you can collect them from the beach and tint them whatever

colour your fancy dictates), and you will be delighted with the result.

The bolero as always is one of the most useful garments in a woman’s wardrobe. In the twinkling of an eye it turns an informal sports frock into a frock for formal occasions.

One of the most charming bolero out fits seen lately \yas evolved from rem nants—a gay check diagonal length of 2h yards in lovely blues, greens and rose madder and a piece of cool green linen barely a yard in length. A flared skirt and moulded bodice with a square front and shoulder straps instead of sleeves was made from the check silk linen, and this was topped by a chic little bolero of the green linen, made with short sleeves. A wide green cummerbund was fashioned out of the pieces left over from the bolero.

IF you intend visiting Australia on vacation, in this in-between season of balmv days and clear sunshine, you will fin'd many glorious materials to charm you. Colours are clear and bright, and the contrasts strong. “Stop” red, the newest of colours, is allied to black with striking effect. Moss-green and clear yellow make a lovely combination use this for an ensemble, the frock of yellow and the coat of green, and evolve it in silk hopsack. a charming material of loose weave with sufficient weight in it to hang well.

Browns are well to the fore and run the gamut of almost every shade from nigger to golden tan. They are equally desirable when allied with plain or figured materials. The latter, by the way, are of lovely designs—mostly scrolls and geometric, though some have a “batik” look about them that is extremely fascinating.

Purples and plums and vineyards are as as popular as they were last season.

Blues, like the poor, are always with us, but such delightful blues in shades from navy to pastel, that we are delighted to welcome them again.

MATERIALS for evening wear leave one breathless. Velvets with rich pile and richer colours; and lames and taffetas such as we have never seen,

with broad stripes and stimulating colour contrasts that immediately arouse the desire for possession. They lend them selves ideally to the bustle back which has so many delightful interpretations.

Bring out all those precious old-fash ioned jewels—clusters, twists and gar lands. Clip them into the folds of your bodice; hang them around your neck on the finest of chains; and wear them on your arms as proudly as did your grandmother. If you’re aiming for fragility, pearls, pastel flowers and dia phanous folds is Dame Fashion’s decree for romantic hours.