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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 5 (September 1, 1932)

Our Women's Section

page 57

Our Women's Section

“Hiking” Suits

Hiking” is becoming the craze now. Last year we heard faint rumours of tramping, and sometimes we actually saw them, “booted and spurred,” on the great highways round our cities. We looked upon them with suspicion; we were critical and superior. We shook our heads and meditated upon the madness of men.

Now, everyone is doing it, and any office manager or employer will tell you how his week-ends are ruined by terrible fears that all his clerks will have sprained ankles, and his typiste will have fallen down the crater of Ruapehu! But Monday morning sees them once again at the office, full of vim, and even the most doubting business man is beginning to admit that work is “going ahead.” Perhaps it is due to “hiking.” So he forgives the whispers which float about the office of hair-raising week-end escapades, of steak grilled on open fires under the stars, of blisters and wild pigs and 'possums. He is even slightly envious.

Spring is here now, and with it the call of the road.

“I know not where the white road runs,
Nor what the blue hills are;
But a man may have the sun for friend,
And for his guide—a star.”

Hikers, get ready for your travels.

The chief thing to remember in your preparation is comfort; you must be able to tramp at ease, and not be worried by clothes; you must be clad suitably, and at the same time decoratively. We all know the traditional girl tramper—cause of amusement and derision, with her shorts. There is no need to be a “blot upon the landscape.' Therefore you must study your apparel just as seriously as you would a dance frock or tennis ensemble.

Here are a few suggestions for the wardrobe of the girl tramper.

Make a skirt—very few girls look even moderately attractive in shorts—and a pleated skirt is just as comfortable. Chose some light tweed material, and don't make it too long; you need freedom of movement to swing along the road or climb fences. A few inches below the knees is a convenient length.

Next, wear a blouse; a silk shirt always looks neat, and is surprisingly warm. Over this, slip one of your gay knitted jumpers—you will need it most of the time—and it is easy to carry.

Now, your legs and feet; the most important parts of the tramper. Rub the insides of your light woollen stockings with dry soap, and take at least two extra pairs. Don't wear boots unless you are accustomed to them, but good, heavy shoes, with wide toes and low square page 58 heels. A light rain-coat, a beret or a “Johnnie cap”—now you are ready for the road—but don't forget to slip in a pair of cosy woollen gloves for the mountains. Thus attired, you will feel perfectly comfortable and look extremely attractive, so that people will take off their hats to the girl-hiker!

* * *

Our Fashion Note.
A Cheap Spring Wardrobe for the Business Girl.

The trouble and expense of spring and summer is that you need so many clothes. In winter everyone expects to see you in the same little woollen suit day after day. You become quite attached to it, just as a man loves his old coat, it acquires a personality. But the spring demands swift changes, and you feel a sudden desire to have heaps of clothes for every occasion and every mood. You look at your bank-book, and see that it can't be done. Now, here is an idea—indispensable for your wardrobe—a cream skirt. Make it of some light woollen material, viyella preferable; no pleats this year, but four pieces, each slightly flaired, fitting closely at the hips. This skirt must be fairly long to be fashionable. You will be surprised at its usefulness—worn with a white blouse, with a white jumper, with any coloured pull-overs and scarves, with short coats of all kinds, with the new little linen jumpers. Each time it is a new creation, hence its value. Add a pair of white and tan court shoes and a floppy white hat, a rather mannish loose coat with raglan sleeves and belt, and you will have an inexpensive smart spring wardrobe.

* * *

The Spice Of Life.

“Variety—the Spice of Life.”

It is true that we live in an age of swift changes, new movements, crazes, fads and cults; indeed, the conditions of modern life are so swiftly moving that we are left with a feeling of bewilderment and weariness, an inability to “stay the pace,” and a hopeless sense of insecurity. Often we long for the peace and tranquility of old age or for a safe little dwelling on some remote desert island—this is the Utopia of many to-day—some place where there are silences, where one can be frankly and whole-heartedly lazy (dreadful word and unforgivable sin!) Secure in our island retreat, no radios, no “talkies,” no bridge, we won't bother about the world.

War brings in its wake a revolution in ideas, an instability and a general chaos, and the young men and women of 1932 grow up in an environment unequalled in its variety and turmoil throughout the history of the world. Little wonder that they are tired long before the years have-taken their toll; no wonder they feel breathless in the race. They are “stickers,” and will go on—often they will be leaders even of every new craze—but in reality they are tired of the phantasmagorical nightmare which has passed swiftly before their eyes for twenty years.

Women are more easily influenced by their environment than men (speaking generally) because centuries of seclusion have made them more keenly aware of things—more observant of details, more contemplative, than the active, progressive, fighting male. His interests have been centred for the most part on things page 59 external, on cities and wars and conversations and travels; hers on the apple tree by the kitchen window, the sunlight filtering through the creepers, the changing of the season, the lives of the children expanding before her eyes, and the efforts to understand the mystery of other lives.

So that woman, because of her very nature, is finding it more difficult to adjust herself to the complicated pattern of post-war life than man. He, sensible thing, chooses one bright strand from the many offering, and follows it persistently on its tortuous pathway. She is led hither and thither by first one and then another craze, until she is utterly puzzled and desperately tired.

For this reason, “crazes” and cults have more women for their adherents than men. In America we hear that husbands are driven nearly to distraction by sensation-seeking wives, victims of every charlatan who convinces them, with little difficulty, that they are “sensitive and highly-strung,” that they have absolutely dozens of complexes—in short, that they are quite misunderstood and much abused people. The poor hard-working husband simply can't grasp the situation at all, and domestic happiness is seriously threatened. All because women are very slow to develop a sense of proportion, and through lack of experience are unable to “pick winners.”

Yes, variety may be the spice of life, but just now it is a little more than just “the spice—it is Life—and as such must be accepted. Desert islands, with waving palms, mellow moons and happy chanting negroes, are not possible for most of us; and even if they were, how soon would we grow infinitely bored with the monotony of the daily routine and long for Bond Street, Fifth Avenue, and Lambton Quay!

A Long Distance Order.

That the value of our Magazine as a first-class advertising medium is not confined to New Zealand, is indicated by the following letter, received recently by Messrs. George and Doughty Ltd., Wellington, from Mr. C. F. Drake, Mankato, Kansas, U.S.A.:—

“I enclose draft for 7/- for which please forward me by parcel post, one pair of your Pyjamas in good warm, heavy Winceyette material, as advertised in the New Zealand Railways Magazine, at 5/11.

“I have added 1/1 to cover foreign postage. Please send in size to fit chest measurement of 44 inches, and in blue, prevailing colour, or your best selection.”

Tender skins which become rough, red and chapped with winter's cold should be treated each night with Sydal Emollient. Sydal is free from harmful fats, and keeps the skin soft and white despite exposure. 1/-, 2/- and 7/6 jar.

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“Like virgin Parchment, capable of any inscription.”-Messinger Our Children's Gallery.—(1) Joyce and Keith Shingleton; (2) Wilfred Mutton; (3) Trevor and Joan Hayes; (4) Malcolm McLean; (5) Eric, Gwen, Gordon and Dora Tietjens; (6) Betty Cummings; (7) Neville Sehoder and Teddy Langford; (8) James and Francis Quinn; (9) Dan and Nessie Cummings; (10) June and Bruce Dunstance; (11) Clarice, Walter and Olive Butler; (12) Joan, William and Patricia Kelly—all from Kaiwarra, Wellington.

“Like virgin Parchment, capable of any inscription.”-Messinger
Our Children's Gallery.—(1) Joyce and Keith Shingleton; (2) Wilfred Mutton; (3) Trevor and Joan Hayes; (4) Malcolm McLean; (5) Eric, Gwen, Gordon and Dora Tietjens; (6) Betty Cummings; (7) Neville Sehoder and Teddy Langford; (8) James and Francis Quinn; (9) Dan and Nessie Cummings; (10) June and Bruce Dunstance; (11) Clarice, Walter and Olive Butler; (12) Joan, William and Patricia Kelly—all from Kaiwarra, Wellington.