FASHION’S PHILOSOPHY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2389, 2 January 1909, Page 10 (Supplement)

FASHION’S PHILOSOPHY.

The very first day of December (writes ,a lady in a Sydney paper) seems to strike the holiday note. Already town/is thronged every day with mothers, shopping busily for Christmas, and the holidays. there is so much to be thought of, so much to be bought. The boys must have strong boots and stout trousers. Ine little girls must have shady hats, and plenty of coo.l, dark prints for the beach and the mountains. And then there are the older girls’ tilings to be thought of, dresses and hats, tor Hobart, Neiv .Zealand, or Kosciuscko. And, .perhaps, father is going to take his much-needed holiday, and there are his soft shirts to see after and all the little etceteras of handkerchiefs and socks, which every woman makes her special care. It is a A’ery busy time, for all. Most certainly the shopkeepers do all in their poAver to lighten the burden ot choosing and buying. Clothes for ordinary Avear are kept out of sight, and the eye is greeted everywhere with linen hats, suits, cambric socks, and dust cloaks of silk and alpaca. Many of the shops are having sales of cpecially-reduced lines, just for the holiday season, and this is without doubt the time to buy a coat or hat. The hats are particularly suited for the season ; the wide brim, . which, whatever its disadvantages, is certainly useful as a sunshade, shows no si"n of decreasing, and in the linen hats, Avliich are the most correct Avear at present, they are both practicable and becoming. The broad straw sailor is rapidly losing faA'or, and the hat of the moment is the linen hat. It anpears in every shade imaginable, and Avith its_ simple trimming of swathed silk, it is an ideal hat- for holiday-making in the summer months. . . The linen hat, of course, is only to be worn on land ; for actual travelling the Tyrolese hat, with a scarf roAind, is most comfortable, or the hi Mi-crowned Panama, Avith a broad band of velvet. For motoring nothing could be cosier than the little sun-bonnet, made in straw or draAvn muslin, and which, securely tied on with a chiffon veil, defies all winds and weather. These models are to be had at the best shops, with A*eil attached, just ready to Avear. In the matter of frocks, nothing is more suitable for holiday wear than the good stout linen. . It lias a certain weight, which, making it too hot for Sydney summers, has a tremendous advantage in the cooler and windy holiday spots. The cut-away sic coat-and-pleated skirt, which aie so popular at present, is ideal wear for Hobart and Ngav Zealand, where the fresh sea breezes in the afternoon make one feel a little shivery-in their muslins and silks. White linen is always effective, and with a touch of color introduced in the waistcoat, and at the neck, can be made to ring the changes. For "morning Avear on warmer days, cambrics are very useful, and can be easily made to look fresh by ironing. Tussore is always a stand-by, and is most comfortable for hot days. , , .. For those busy women whose holiday will be spent on the sea, blue serge is the very best wear, and though so old, the very newest. It will be much worn next Avinter for all occasions on Avhich it is possible to wear it. Although it Avill bo used in every variety, fine, coarse, plain, and ribbed, the very fine quality will be most popular. And the correct trimming Avill in every case be braid. So the woman Avho goes a-travelling in a smartly cut suit of braid-trimmed navy serge, will have the satisfaction of knowing that she is not only comfortably and serviceably gowned, but that her costume is the most correct thing she could have chosen.