Seen In The Shops.

Beach Wear.—Swim suits are as for last summer, only more so. Sun-tan wherever possible seems to be the cue. Rubber helmets are even more intriguing in shape, in pattern and in clip or clasp for fastening the band under the chin.

Shorts and slacks are in cotton material while tailored blouses to wear with them may be of silk or cotton. The new three-piece woollen beach suit should find favour on our beaches where breezes with a slight chill in them are prevalent. One outfit I saw had navy blue trousers and a long-sleeved bolero coat worn with a spotted blouse. Other ensembles feature checked blouses. The bolero coat is dashingly new.

Wide-brimmed beach hats are of fabric or straw, and in shape quite resemble our “garden-party” models, with their shallow crowns and charming forward-and-sideways tilt. Any summer hat seems to require curls. The shallow crown and the forward tilt entail the showing of the nape of the neck. Clustering curls are absolutely right but a straight buster or shingle—no!

Hair is worn slightly longer this year. Film-star influence is unmistakable. Nowadays we cover our knees and show our ears—a reversal of the proceedings of a few years back. It will be difficult, however, to retain the charm of our new coiffure once we are really “in the swim.”

Juvenile Wear.—Whenever I visit the Children's Section of one of our great stores I long for a small boy and girl to dress. For a tiny girl what more charming play wear than little smocks, with knickers to match, made of print or some other long-wearing cotton. Eminently tubable—these frocks. For visiting grandma I would dress her in a floral pattern or check frock with organdie collar and cuffs—or maybe it would be one of the new plaid zephyrs or ginghams. For baby cousin's party I would choose a dainty frilled frock with puffed sleeves in voile, muslin or organdie. With each dress length of material would be bought enough to make a sunbonnet or fabric hat.

My small boy would wear smocks or cotton suits.

On the beach, I would have my children lightly clad in little sun suits or shorts and blouses; the most important dress rule would be “Keep your wide-brimmed hat on all the time.” For a child with a tender skin, beach pyjamas are a great protection against sunburn.

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