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.

Household Linen.

The laundering work of many a housewife has been reduced since breakfast and luncheon sets became popular. For the small household, a delightful striped or checked cloth, with napkins to match, is quite large enough. Quite a new idea is to have china striped in the same colour as the cloth.

Afternoon-tea cloths are often exquisitely embroidered. They, too, have napkins to match. The “sit-down” afternoon tea is becoming very popular among those who “bridge.”

Gay buffet runners, luncheon cloths, wagon covers, can be worked in bright shades of coarse embroidery twist on linen or crash.

Whatever your bathroom colour scheme, towels can be obtained to match it, and very reasonably. For guest towels, pale pastel embroidery on white or cream linen is charming, while huckaback in pastel shades needs only to be hemmed.

Picnic Equipment.

Any confirmed picnic enthusiast must covet one of the new picnic cases, fitted with expanding sandwich tins, thermos flasks, and the new unbreakable ware in complete sets for from two to six people. Even if you cannot obtain one of these, set aside a box or a corner of the kitchen cabinet at home for picnic gear. If you like to “boil the billy” you will need bottles of varying sizes with screw tops for milk, the billy, and tins of suitable sizes for sugar and tea. Small spice tins are handy for salt and pepper. If you have to consider the weight of the picnic basket, keep a supply of cardboard plates and goblets on your picnic shelf. Paper tablecloths and table napkins, and grease proof paper for wrapping sandwiches, should also find a place. The packing of a picnic lunch is no longer a problem when all the necessary jars and tins are waiting for you to fill them.

Care of the Hair.

During the Summer season the hair often becomes dry and brittle, owing to the action of salt water. It is necessary to wash the hair thoroughly with fresh water to get rid of the salt. Oil shampoos are beneficial for dry, bleached or sunburned hair. Warm the oil and apply to the scalp with a piece of absorbent cotton wool. Then massage the scalp thoroughly for at least ten minutes.

Then take a towel and wring it out in hot water, and wrap round the head, When it cools, wring it out again in hot water and apply once more. Renew several times. This treatment opens the pores of the scalp and allows the oil to be page 59 absorbed. Shampoo as usual, and rinse thoroughly.

Regular massage is essential to keep the scalp healthy and the hair glossy and luxuriant, by stimulating the circulation through the scalp and roots of the hair.

To massage, first part the hair in the centre, then press the tips of the fingers firmly on the scalp on the line of parting, and moving them in a rotary motion, at the same time pressing the sides of the head with the heels of the hands, so that the scalp moves with the action of the hands. Repeat this process until the whole of the head has been massaged, which should take at least five minutes.

Regular brushing also stimulates and invigorates the hair and scalp. Do your one hundred strokes with the brush every day. Brushing keeps the hair clean and glossy. Make a parting every inch or so and brush first on one side and then on the other of each strand of hair, using the brush from the scalp upwards.

Brushes and combs should be kept scrupulously clean.