Our Fashion Note.

It is no longer an adventure to have a new evening frock—and no longer a torture of fittings and fussings. For many generations women have relied on the skill of a long-suffering dressmaker and the subtlety and sheer beauty of countless yards of silk to adorn a figure which was quite unlike what Mother Nature intended in her scheme of things. At the cost of health and happiness, our grandmothers were able to float gracefully through the ballroom, their sylphlike waists ample reward for the cruel page 61 armour beneath. Now we have sun-tanned arms, freedom of movement, and an easy swinging step—we are concerned with our shape first and our clothes afterwards! Hence we are not so dependent upon the actual materials from which to evolve our frocks. We are building on a good foundation, and often we can look quite devastating in something which once would not have been thought worthy of serving as a curtain for the maid's bedroom!

An evening frock can still be an adventure to the woman who realises that it is herself who really matters and who can make the most of her good points—this woman understands the philosophy of dress. What a personal interest we can take in the thing now—when we buy the stuff, see the result long before the scissors have even touched it—when we cut and drape and create and feel ourselves into the beauty of a new evening frock.

In London and Paris there is at present an absolute craze for effect and cheapness. Girls appear at great balls in creations of gingham and print! and proudly inform the

Learning adds a precious seeing to the eye.“—Shakespeare. (Rly. Publicity photo.) University College, Auckland, New Zealand.

assembly that the frock cost actually four and nine!

So that for all our informal parties and pictures and dances this summer, we can choose almost anything and wear it with confidence and dash. If you are sun-burned from the holidays, be careful that the colour enhances the golden brown of arms and back and that the cut shows no white strips or patches on shoulders.

Let your evening frock be vivid—there are innumerable very cheap materials for you, and patterns now are excellent. I saw a dark girl the other right in scarlet cotton crepe, with bare brown ankles, and round her dusky head lay a wreath of crimson poppies—entrancing.

Flowers are very much in vogue, as necklets, and even shoulder-bands. Nearly all evening frocks have tiny puffed sleeves and graceful frilled skirts—1933, but with tremendous differences, eloquent of woman's emancipation, freedom and progress. See what you can do with a few yards of voile, gingham, crepe or print—you will be surprised.