It's a lovely time of year. Week by week the sun spreads a warmer layer over the tang of winter. Freshness is still there under the glow of sunshine. It reminds me of the marvellous concoction I tasted once on board ship—hot meringue apparently cooked over ice cream.

What a season! With the long warm days ahead of us we all become more alert and hopefully alive. Life seems clearer—the effect perhaps of light and an intensification of colour in surrounding nature.

It seems a pity to have to think of clothes, but we women know that a congenial environment presupposes suitable attire. Therefore, I have planned for beach days.

Shorts, these days, are much pleated, and therefore more “feminine.” A halter top, as sketched, is comfortable. The very young and slim may prefer a brassiere top. Alternative wear is a shorts dress or play-suit. A promenade skirt, perhaps with flowered stripes running vertically, will button neatly over the shorts. A very informal type of skirt is the white one, pictured, which ties round the waist. A very useful beach garment is the overdress or short sleeved redingote which buttons or zips down the centre front. The redingote may match or contrast.

The straw hat with fancy ribbon ties and peaked crown is ideal for beach wear. If glare affects your eyes, don't forget dark glasses. I have drawn a bottle to remind you of eye-lotion. I use a very simple eye-wash—a flat teaspoon of boracic crystals dissolved in a cup of boiling water.

Summer shoe styles are most sensible as well as decorative. Even for street wear one can have cool perforated and strapped shoes. Flat heels are quite smart. A new development is the “wedge” heel, where the sole is in the form of a wedge and there is no separate heel. These shoes, I hear, are very comfortable, and are correct with the trimmest tailor-made. For beach wear I have sketched two styles. The one waiting to be tied round your ankles is a fishnet sandal, very cool and light. If you are not very proud of your toes, here's a smart way of hiding them. The other style, with a very thick cork sole, is specially suited to the small woman. The primary idea is to keep the feet clear of the sand.

The bracelet sketched looks particularly attractive in coral, green or royal blue. Remember colour when choosing beach wear; the vividness of sea, sky, trees and sands can kill pastel tints.

Swim suits become more and more decorative. Satin and lastex and silk stockingette gleam richly. Wool suits, which are more sensible for the keen swimmer, are just as delightful. I saw some green togs patterned with red lobsters. Another green suit had the brassiere top outlined with thick gold cord which tied on the shoulders.

A very useful garment is a bathing wrap. I have seen some very smart ones in tufted towelling with gay stripes on a white ground; another wrap in all white had a raised cable pattern.

For promenade accessories, I suggest fabric sandals, bag and belt to match.

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