The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-19
Gay Designs Are Now Seen For
 Summer
By FLORENCE CLARK

ly balmy days which we have had
 during the past two weeks to es- tablish what and which of the long array of spring fashions has appealed to the New York girl. These mellow days also brought out the fact that this sprightly Miss, having disposed of the question as to what she should elect to q wear, is already turning her thoughts toward summer clothes.
 Here and there among the smart walking costumes seen on the avenue, you discovered quite summery-look- ing outfit. Wrappy coats swung open, revealing cherry printed dresses, flower trimmed hats and softly hued facings added further to the realization that summer is not far off.
 Warm weather fashions center around fabrics. It is materials that give them much of the personality that is theirs. It is true that certain ideas now appearing in spring frocks recur in summer styles, but the fabrics hold your attention more than flounces or the exact place that founces have chosen to disport themselves.
 Fabric Designs The Thing
 Prints, for instance, have stepped into the picture. After looking at a frock you may be able to recall that it has a fascinating design of willow trees tossing in the wind with golden moons peeping out of the branches, but you would be inclined to forget just where the gathers were placed. Printed silks, chiffons or crepes, at least one of these must be on your list of Things to Get for Summer" or it isn't the right sort of list.
 And did you think that cretonne was only fit for the bungalow apron or beach frock? That was a mistaken mo- tion. Cretonne is an ugly duckling turned to swan. If you looked closely at the strange material combined with \ softest satin on one of the exclusive models in a certain shop, you would discover that it is nothing more or less than cretonne. Gold thread may outline flower or the center of bloom may be accentuated by a tight dot of beads, but cretonne, it is for all it's fine feath. CTS. Surely a novel way to treat ere tonne, but since the effect is so de. Ightful who would complain about it
 Batik Bids For New Favor
 Then there is batik, also of the fam fly of figured fabrics At one time il was overdone, but like many 'rages' when their crudest expressions have passed, batik may come into favor anG esteem once more. Certainly a mum Der of frocks for summer wear show shaded stripes blending into one an other after the manner of batik, anC few dresses show batik designs. Nov that prints are favored for summer wear the right sort of artistic batil work ought to come Lack.
 l wish you could see an original O the printed crepe de chine frock. stood out among many charming sum mer dresses, which I saw recently The colors are navy and white, q com bination, by the way, that seems to b. definitely accepted for summer wear The slightly flared flounce and a mar row band of trimming down the from repeat the blue. of the dots. Red glas, buttons lend a bright touch to the en semble. This frock needs it, for al prints go this season it is one O the more conservative patterns, and thi note of color makes the frock nor interesting.
 No Limit On Choice
 You may go as far as you like il your choice of odd and colorful designs in printed stuffs. There are dragons roosters, full-skirted dancing figures stained glass window effects and ever incidents from old legends reproduced on printed fabrics.
 Color combinations in infinite variety are introduced into these patterns Fuchsia, plum color, nasturtium, anC brilliant blues are mingled together 1T ct O trnc of