This Sun-Bathing.

We've all been warned about overdoing it often enough. If we only realized it, people in health need to tackle sun-bathing in the same way as patients in sanatoria, and children in Health Camps. On the first day, five minutes for the back and five minutes for the front is ample. Gradually extend the period by a few minutes a day to about forty-five minutes, of course taking into account the time of day and the type of weather, curtailing your “bath” on scorching days, and extending it on cool ones. Always remember, however, to keep the nape of the neck protected from the sun's rays. A gradual tanning will eliminate the need for protective oils and unguents, and will prevent the scorching of the second skin, which shows so painfully on many of our beaches.

Even if you had only a short holiday at Christmas, I hope you did not try to cram all your tanning into that period. A sheltered corner of the garden, or a sunny porch at home lends itself to sunbathing; so the acquisition of health can be carried on both before and after the Christmas break.

I expect every girl this year has her shirt and shorts. They are cheap to buy or easy to make, and quick to launder. They lend themselves to informal open-air page 58 occasions. As to appearance, the young and athletic girl usually looks well in shorts, while we others can comfort ourselves by observing other wearers who, we are sure, “look far worse than we do.” Thank goodness we are past the days when appearance was the only thing that counted. We can all look smart in our airy swim suits, and the lucky few with the really good figures can swank in slacks. And isn't it nice to think that back in town after the Christmas vacation we needn't go to the bother of wearing stockings again. A sun-browned leg and a dainty sandal shoe is one of fashion's present foibles. But remember that it is only the sandal type of shoe which looks really well with bare legs.

Our cotton or silk holiday frocks which we wore for the beach or tennis, are useful afterwards, even in the city, with the addition of a smart coat of, say, assam silk. Most coats are on tailored lines, belted or unbelted. A smart length is about ten inches from the ground.

Of mid-summer dress materials, checks, spots, stripes in any and all directions, sprigs and floral sprays, are popular. Important colours are white, black and white, blue in various shades (specially smart for suits), yellow and a soft pale pink, showing in such materials as organdie, voile, silks, crinkle crepes, satins. Two piece ensembles are very popular. The coat is usually of a plain material to tone with the ground colour in the frock. Capelets or coatees are also worn the former being specially useful with frocks which would crush under a coat. Sleeves are still featured. Organdie or muslin frocks have large puffs or frills. Prints and ginghams may have large puffs and collar and bow of organdie. Some of the new sleeves are plain and tight-fitting at the top puffed just above the elbow, and then tight-fitting to the wrist.

Frocks are cut on long slender lines. Skirts are tight-fitting to the knees, and then flared to the hem.

White outfits, so popular this year, often have touches of black, perhaps in buttons or bow, piping or belt. The accessories carry out the colour scheme—gloves, belts, scarves, shoes. White handbags have touches of colour to match the ensemble. Trim little blouses, many in white, are worn with suits. In some cases, an individual touch is lent by smocking at the neck-line. Gloves are the smartest things in mesh and lace. If you are wearing a “string” jumper, have your pochette and glove gauntlets made of the same macrame twine. Gloves are also seen made of the same material as the suit or ensemble. White and cream washing doe-skin have come to light again after several years of eclipse. They are right for any occasion.

The soft wide-brimmed felts in pastel shades, so much in vogue just now, are flattering to most faces. I have seen one or two smart beige felts worn with tweed suits.

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