There are no revolutionary style changes this month, but, to the keen observer, slight developments are noticeable—a returning simplicity of line, a slackening in the power held by gingham and organdie, the growing importance of the sleeve theme and the omnipresence of the ensemble.

Fabrics are becoming richer; silks have a soft, dull lustre. Georgette and lace in combination, or the latter alone, form graceful robes.

A charming afternoon gown I saw recently featured the new long cowl sleeve. The frock was in a draped princess style with a diamante buckle at the waist.

Many ensembles comprise a dressy frock in patterned silk with a plain three-quarter length silk coat for street wear. The coat may be sleeveless, or have full three-quarter or long sleeves. On one outfit, in pink and black checked silk, a wide organdie and lace collar and bow on the frock matched the gauntlet cuffs on the coat. A simply cut frock is lent interest by a checked or striped scarf knotted loosely at the neck-line. Bows showing on the latest frocks are not placed merely for effect. With some gowns, tie-ends, attached to the yoke or centre panel in front, pass to the back and tie in a smart bow. For freshening up holiday frocks, nothing could be easier than the acquisition of collar and cuff sets. These are showing in organdie and cotton lace fabrics, and in many cases feature frilling and bows. Collars are mainly of Peter Pan or Quaker types, and cuffs in fancy gauntlet shapes.

Smart two-piece suits for summer wear are fashioned of assam or heavy tussore silk or of the new linen tweed. Jumpers are still smart. I saw an unusual cream jumper knitted in a lacy design with heavy silk. The long full sleeves had wide, green stripes, running from shoulder to wrist. With this was worn a slim, green skirt, in which the fullness was supplied by two inserted pleats back and front. For wear with suits blouses are becoming more decorative. Lace, drawn-thread work, faggoting, broderie anglaise and peasant embroidery are featured. One charming blouse, worn with a midnight-blue suit, was of white China silk, hand-embroidered down the front panel in shades of blue, black and coral.

Handbags with scarves to match have been featured in tweed for some time. Now we see expensive leather bags sold with smart silk scarves to match. The other day a friend, bound for the links, showed me her new golf hand-bag, in dark brown leather, fitted with delightful coloured tees, golf-scorer and pencil.

Raincoats, so necessary during our New Zealand summer, are showing in many styles, but mainly in two-colour combinations. White and black are particularly smart, especially in checks or plaids. Umbrellas feature stripes as does the latest travelling gear. It would almost seem that some super-smart deck-chairs had got their canvas involved in the latest page 58 suit-cases. How easy, at the end of a journey, to pick out one's own yellowy-greeny-stripy portmanteau from the miscellaneous piles of dingy brown disgorged from van or hold!

In accordance with the return to femin-ality in fashion, dressing-gowns are becoming daintier. They feature lace, ruffles and fur. Nightgowns, beautifully embroidered, are having an equal showing with pyjamas. Dressing-jackets are again coming into vogue. I saw a charming trousseau one in egg-shell blue, featuring sleeves puffed to the elbow.