Continued front page 2440, I'art 20

"Ideal" Trunks and Hat-boxes - A Wardrobe Trunk - Luggage for a Yachting Cruise - For the

Moors - Useful Hints

There are what have been described as "Ideal" dress-trunks, which are of two sorts, the deep and shallow varieties. These are made in "Durite," have two long straps, a patent, unpickable lock, and eight stout, solid leather cap-corners. There are also what are known as dress-cases, which are smaller, and well-suited for week-end visits.

The perfect hatbox has not yet been invented, but quite the best is one of the "Ideal" specimens. This contains a sort of cage, into which one's hats can be securely fastened, and on the top is a light tray, that makes a good nest for frills, ruffles, and such-like dainty belongings.

Another firm has invented a good skirt-basket, long and narrow, in which skirts can be laid at full length in the most convenient manner. A pendant to this takes the form of a blouse-box, in which blouses may be hung on specially constructed hangers. Also there is a useful device known as a wardrobe trunk, in which gowns can not only be packed, but in which they can be hung up in one's bedroom.

There are, in addition, boot-boxes, book-boxes, and many other contrivances. Women of small means need not despair, for all these trunks, bags, and boxes are produced in various grades, and new and inexpensive patterns have been introduced.

When ladies are invited to stay on board a yacht, luggage should be reduced to the smallest dimensions. Even when their floating home is the big steam-yacht of an American millionaire, wardrobe space is still at a premium. The smartest woman must sacrifice some of her so-called "necessities." Her only way is to take small packages, and to distribute her possessions between flat portmanteaus and Gladstone bags, with a hatbox, dressing-bag, and dispatch-box as the inevitable accessories. A roll of wraps should be taken, and these must include a good mackintosh. An obliging yacht-steward will generally stow away the larger pieces of luggage or empty bags.

This is not an article on dress, but a hint or two may be given as to the best way to minimise one's luggage. Decollete costumes for the evening are never worn on board a yacht; sitting on deck after dinner is a natural check to the wearing of airy, gauzy garments. A black skirt with several high or half-high blouses are useful possessions. Soft caps and tam-o'-shanters take small space, and sailor hats are rough-and-ready articles. Footgear must be carefully chosen. For actual yachting, soft-soled, heelless shoes are best, and these pack into a small compass; and even on shore, neat brown boots or shoes look smarter and more suitable than the Louis XV. style of London.

When in Scotland, luggage has often to be squeezed into a small space. Some house-parties are given in mansions and ancestral castles; but in many cases the guests are asked to share the rough-and-ready comforts of a shooting-box, or the doubtful benefits of a manse or other small residence. In these latter, rooms are small and arrangements primitive, and ladies'-maids and valets are often obliged to lodge out at cottages and farmhouses. Hence, as on a yacht, one's odds and ends must be tightly packed, boxes must be small in size, and many articles must be put into holdalls, kit-bags, brief-bags, and such-like contrivances.