'A new and delightful fabric for evening gowns is black gauze velvet, though, alas, not an inexpensive one. It combines perfectly with tisane in fiver and gold. Another of the new winter velvets is, called ring velvet as. it is so soft and supple that it can be drawn through an ordinary-sized ring. These new velvets drape gracefully, and on some of the latest models are even box-pleated, which is quite an innovation. But this pleated velvet looks charming, Either of these velvets is suitable for dinner and reception gowns for the matron, For the debutante, spotted nets in delicate pastel colourings are to be very popular for winter dance frocks. They are frequently feature. ed in pink—which is such an appropriate shade for the rose-coloured years between 15 and 20. Over a slim foundation of silk or satin these frocks are all frills and flounces and gay youthfulness.
Some have hems uneven, still others draperies caught cunning. ly at one side or even in the centre front of a gown. Sequinned dresses also are again being shown in great variety, both in black and in exquisite shadings; while the pear-shaped spangle and a new kind of long bead, known as"coquillago" and similar in eolouring to the little green shells of our childhood's days, adorns many evening gowns.
To-day it is the accessories that really count, as the slim silhouette jis maintained, and when there are draperies they are so soft that the [straight lines remain unbroken, Maintaining The Silhouette The bolero and its relatives are met with wherever one goes. They Jare seen on sports suits, on after-Moon "frocks, and in glorified form make an effective boy-girl. If women were really as handsome animals as men, they would not want to alter drastically the fashion of their gowns every six months. As it {s, millions of capital, thousands of factories, and hundreds of dressmakers (the best of whom are variably men) are working overtime to try and make woman into 'a beautiful and attractive creature.
Since the war the rivalry between the sexes has become ter Bar. bers have arisen in their thousands and are busy from morning—to night, ig and waving the hair of the "fair" sox, while makers of fereams, unguents, lipsticks, and rouge are earning considerable fortunes. Victorian women did not use any of these things, and some of the most radiant complexions were kept going by means of cold water and plain white soap, not even a dash of powder, Is it possible that women at last realize the fact that they are not the better-looking sex, and are has. tening to draw on every adventitious aid to play their legendary part? Why is it that rouge both in East and West, is part of every woman's toilet-battery? Why does the American girl, who of all ereated beings fancied herself moit as superior to her men folk, employ every artifice to "beautify" herself, even at school and college? In the East it was an immemorial customs, but in the West this is something new and portentions, and may mean eventually hauling down *h- flag of superior beauty by women, on elaborate evening toilettes. Sep-atate boleros also, of ivory georg gette exquisitely hand-beaded or embroidered with silver, are being shown. These may form part of the dress and are detachable, or they can be bought separately "ta wear with coloured frocks,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.