Page:A complete course in dressmaking, (Vol. 1, Introduction) (IA completecoursein01cono).pdf/51

 ing shade.When worn with cloth belt, it makes a very good looking, straight hanging dress for the older woman.

Surplice waists are one of the becoming styles you may choose. Vests and long collars are also good. Avoid the very plain skirt. Tunic, panel and draped styles are better.

Always have a touch of white at the neck. It’s far more becoming than a dark color next to the skin. Don’t think that you have to have all your dresses high neck style—make some of them with pretty low V necks or the U-shaped neck outline and wear them with white guimpes that have high collars.

Another way of making the neck look trim with a low neck dress is to wear an inch wide piece of black velvet around the neck. Make the ribbon to fit the neck and fasten it with snaps in the back or with small gold pins.

Coats of soft velour made with long shawl collar or revers and finished with a narrow belt are usually becoming to the mature woman. The older woman will do well to avoid the extreme fads of fashion, for to be really becoming, her clothes must have a certain dignity.

There is the question of the length of the skirt. Consult a full length peer glass when you are having the hem of your skirt turned. You will find a long skirt more graceful than a short one. It is impossible to give a general