THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2516, 1 June 1909, Page 7

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

FASHION’S NOTES. Fashion is proverbially as fickle as the -wind, but every now and then there arrives a style which is so universally * popular that it stays with us for a long; time. ThO most striking; instance, of course, is the blouse, which, in spite of perpetual prophecies of its downfall, has kept its own place in fashion’s category year after year. It has been seen in many different forms, plain or trimmed, soft or stiff, but it has always been that most useful of all garments to the average woman —the blouse. The guimpe, which is first-cousin to the blouse, appears to be going to share its relative’s pow ers of staying. Although it has been universally worn for two seasons now, it is as correct as ever. A new lease of life has been predicted for it in the summer; but even with winter drosses it appears in a modified form, especially with gowns of lighter material. There are so • many advantages attached to the guimpe that it is not likely to be allowed to leave us lightly. With two or three carried out in different ways, one •can ring the changes on a single frock, as well as always having immaculate neck and sleeve wear, for the separate guimpes can be so easily laundered. But though fashion has been faithful to this one article of dress, she is in a very changeable mood at present, and it'is prophesied that the next few months will see a tremendous change. The days, of the Directoire are numbered, beyond doubt, and it is rumored that we are on our way to the other extreme—the crinoline bo tar the hoop itself has not arrived, but the latest news from Loudon and 1 ans certainly seems to herald it m tue not far distant future. At any rate, whether we really arrive at the crinoline itself or not. the full gathered skirts are to be! revived. It is the natural reaction after tlio slumo- garments which have trammelled our movements the past season or so, the swing of the pendulum which was inevitable.

\ Sydney woman, just back from Europe tells of a gown she saw m Paris, which was a fore-word of the fashion that is coming. It is carried out in black taffeta, without any trimming at all. The tight-fitting little bodice was laced up at the back, shoi on the hips, but the points, back ana front, rather long. On the edge o this a wield round skirt was gathered so thickly and closely that it stood out all round. At the bottom of the skirt, above the* ratlier deep hem, were just two wide tucks; in short, it was simply the dress of 1835 without a hoop. Of course, this model was the very extreme of fashion, but it showed the way the wind was blowing, and will be a warning to the woman of small means not to indulge in tlio exaggerated Directoire gown, for it will very soon be amongst the “has beens.”

la less extreme gowns waistbands are still high, but much longer than they have been, and in all the forenoon and evening gowns a moderate fullness falls from the waist line behind, and the old waterfall back apnears in many of the newest models. For tailor mades tlie close pleated skirt holds its own, sometimes the pleats appear at the back only, sometimes at the back, and sides, but the front is invariably plain, and maintains a flat, narrow effect. Sleeves are a little fuller on the shoulders, though the effect of the silhouette is still narrow and straight; but that outline is threatened, for the next summer we are promised a return to the popular bishop sleeve. It will not appear in its former fulness, or at least, not at first, but in a modified form, which will not be such a sudden change from the prevailing mode.

Another revival which we are promised in the near future is that of the fichu, which has been almost forgotten during the Directoire period. The new fichu is not finished off with the inevitable frill of its old-time counterpart, but has folds of satin as a finish. Very often the fichu itself is of .net, the folds of which are fastened in front under a large single blossom or the small market bouquet.

The natural sequence to the full skirt and the fichu is the locket, which is also returning to favor. In fact it is time for turning out sonic of our old jewel boxes and grandmothers treasures to provide ourselves with the most correct adornment. Jet is tlio reigning favorite of the moment, both for millinery., for hair and neck ornaments, and now we arc to have the locket again. In Paris it is worn on a long and very narrow blac'k velvet ribbon, and makes a charming addition to the toilette. Sometimes old-fash-ioned pear-shaped drops of crystal or pink coral take the place of the locket, or any small trinket which may be easily hung on a ribbon. SAVE OUR TREES. it seems to me that distraction of our native birds and animals are closely connected with the “flagrant and wholesale” destruction of our native trees. 1 No lover of nature ran gaze unmoved at a beautiful place cleared of all vegetation. , . If an estate is cut up on a mountain side why should nearly every tree be cut down and a; g'ully full of lovely things he laid bare for the sun to dry up the water and all the tender vegetation ? , I live in a suburb where there is a nice little “bush.” through it rums a stream, upon whose hanks maidenhair ferns grew luxuriantly, dainty little orchids shone out among the dead leaves, and mottled violets hid under old logs. , . i i The unemployed wanted work ana they were given that place to clear. Thev did their work thoroughly, and my friends, the poor old trees were burnt by the ton, and it was a bitterly cold 1 winter, too. Now you may look from the trees right across the 1 arriamatta Hoad, and see not a tree of that bush. The clearing was done during the year of her late Majesty’s Jubilee, and Very little of the land is built upon or used at all. It stands a. dreary 'wilderness. n -. r (By “Spin,” in the “Sydney Morning Her aid.”)