Swimming Season.

Did you have your first swim during Labour Day week-end? And, if so, did your swim-suit appear far more faded than it did when you put it away at the end of last season? Also, last year you thought it fairly skimpy, but find you are surprisingly well covered for the new season. All of which has decided you to invest in a new suit. Anyway, as you tell yourself, two are really necessary.

In New Zealand, when you swim you sun-bathe, and usually vice-versa, so your swim-suit must be for the water. Therefore, a wool jersey fabric is advisable. Perhaps you don't remember the days of cotton bathing-suits? Well, wool feels ever so much better. And nowadays it is produced in so many weaves. Your swim-suit may even have a cloque effect.

If you are slender and well-formed, choose a gaily-patterned jersey cloth. Some of the most charming fabric designs I have seen this season are those used for swim-suits. If you are not so young, and (or) not so slender, a more conservative fabric will be your choice. As to style, choose one for comfort. To secure adequate length and well-fitting shoulder straps, it is advisable to try on a suit before buying.

Styles vary greatly from brassiere and trunks, to the complete suit with skirt. Most suits this year have the brassiere front fitting. A charming style has a detachable skirt that forms a capelet for protection when sunbathing.

Did I mention tartans? A diagonal tartan gives a fluidity to the young figure.

Of course a swim-suit alone is not enough. Cap, yes, and shoes, yes, and even bathing-bag, yes. But most important is a wrap. Of course it depends on your kind of holiday. If you are expected to dress up (a little) and be respectable (fairly) for lunch, come up from the beach at the last minute and pull on a loose-fitting linen blouse and slacks (dusty pink, and butcher blue formed one unusual combination) or slip into a frock, short-sleeved or sleeveless, and wide-revered, of cretonne or printed cotton. Button it down the front, and there you are!

* * *