Timely Notes and Useful Hints.

Whether your vacation will be long or merely the Christmas-New Year break, whether you are staying at home, visiting friends, camping or “hotelling,” a little thought given now to your wardrobe will save worries later.

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The home holiday is easiest to plan for. You know your surroundings, your friends and what occupations you are likely to pursue. You know whether a cocktail and dance frock is indicated, whether you will require a smart street outfit or whether shirtwaist and suntan frocks and a “picnic” coat are all you require. In addition, there is no worry as to practicability for travelling.

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The traveller, however, unless she is revisiting a place, knows not what is in store. She has to plan for eventualities and at the same time to limit herself sternly to a suit-case and hat-box, or whatever amount of luggage she thinks desirable.

A New Zealand summer is an open-air affair. Therefore, the holiday-maker concentrates on her sports kit. The wise traveller will have her shirtwaist frocks (printed or plain), sun suits, shirt short and skirt outfits, in anti-crease linens. These can be popped in and out of bags, or carelessly lounged in, without acquiring that crumpled, slightly grubby appearance cottons used to have after a few hours' rough-and-tumble. The active girl who does not care for shorts will enjoy the freedom of the “trouser-skirt,” which, standing or walking, has the appearance of a trim skirt with deep pleats back and front.

For changing into, after a day with King Sol, a dainty frock in silk or cotton crepe (another uncrushable affair) will add to the freshness of early evening. If the unused energy of the day is to be expended in dancing, a gaily patterned georgette, or one in a soft plain shade with vivid belt accent, will be cool and charming.