FASHION NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES.

VOGUE FOR LINEN. TIPS ON GOOD DRESSING. (By A PARIS EXPERT.) The new fashions are fascinating things that tell the way the fashionwind will flutter. New colours, new designs, new colour combinations and tricky new ideas, as to necklines, skirt formations and the sleeve drapings, anything you want to wear from dawn to dark—here they are. Pre-war styles in the shape of feather boas, hats heavily loaded with flowers and plumes, wasp waists, moulded skirts with a “kick-out,” have all appeared in some form or other in the Paris fashion showings. With these pre-war styles Paris is already showing frilly, lacy undies, with the slotted ribbons beloved of the Edwardians, a period when no nice girl would dream of being without a bodkin and a roll of bebe ribbon and tying herself up in little bows. A famous Paris firm is producing a numerous variety of pastel coloured silk ribbons in every colour in and out of the rainbow. There is a revival of buttons and a fair proportion of these may be in mother of pearl. I have just seen a new belt of black antelope fastening with two lozenge-shaped buttons of nacre, and another with a brooch-like clasp also of mother of pearl. Belts of cellophane which is woven in fine strands, make a shining line about the waist. There are also belts made in broad, diagonal sections of plain gilt or silver. Many of the meftal clasps look like the old-fashioned wire puzzles which were popular as parlour games some years ago.

Fascinating New Materials. Heavy, rough, uncrushable linens are having a vogue this summer, and both hand and machine lace are coming in for a blouse, a ruffle over the hand, a jabot; collar, cuffs, even whole dresses, will be made of hand-made silk, cotton or linen lace. One of the newest is a creamy Irish lace, and Point de Venise and Brussels lace are being used a great deal. Get out your valuable old lace then, or buy some of the beautiful new, for lace is becoming a material. Very fine cotton, dimity, dotted Swiss voile—all these are being used for feminine blouses and for day and evening frocks. Cotton will enjoy an unsurpassed popularity in the material world —every new delicate shade in delicious combinations, as well as the stronger striped plaids and checks will be made up into a chic of their very own. The new crease-resisting cotton and linen has to be seen to be believed. There are many exciting transparent glass’materials, as well as some glistening moired satins. Yes, there is even a vague murmur of an asbestos “stuff,” so subtle as to be admirable for any “hot-in-hot,” and another pliable material made like paper from wool pulp. The New Shoes The new shoes are especially thrilling, because they are quite different. The new practical slippers button up or buqkle over the instep, are made of kid, and fit like a glove. The new low-heeied slippers that are open at the sides are what they wear in Paris with afternoon clothes, and the evening heelless sandals that are skeleton Oxfords, made of narrow straps of kid or silk, laced up the ankle, and looking something like Greek sandals, are just too smart to resist. Smart-looking feet are essential to chic in any season, and offer a sure way of smartening up last year’s clothes. Colour Sense. Why is it that people with no coloursense at all will mix the most awful shades together when they get the opportunity? Black and white ought to bo made a uniform for a great many women who know about as much as a cat docs what colours blend with pink or blue or anything else. Colour-blending Is an art that only a few people have really mastered. A few lucky people are born with a rare coloursense that years of study will not give to anyone else. Unless you have a colour-sense, or have the time to cultivate one, really make a study of it—you will find, reader, that you can dress much more successfully and artistically in one-colour schemes. Even then, you must be sure to wear the colour that suits you. A Few Words of Advice.

A few words of advice to those of my readers desirous of being in fashion may not be amiss:—

Order few clothes at a tirnp, discard them rapidly, and renew them often. Never be influenced by the cost of a model, high-priced gowns being cheapest in the end.

Never be content with your appearance. Discontent is the surest part of dress knowledge. Only indifferentlydressed women are placid and satisfied. Remember: That real elegance need never explain itself at a glance. Neither should it require any explanation later. That to attract attention to your clothes is considered bad taste, anything conspicuous being nowadays sure to be called vulgar. That the term “eccentric” in 1935 merely applies to an advanced mentality in matters’ of clothes. Not to any bizarre ways of dressing. That anything really bizarre strikes no one any more as being in the least bit peculiar. Here are a few personal impressions and generalities concerning current styles: —That the very latest fashion reflects the enlightened period in which we live.

That while designers are . busy increasing their knowledge, trying to find ways and means of improving the feminine silhouette, the women themselves have progressed, that they have gone one step further, and now realise that new styles need to be viewed from new angles. They have, furthermore, realised that, though some of the mode’s newest developments would some years ago have been considered outrageous, they are universally accepted now. Why, therefore, says tho up-to-date woman, should I hesitate to wear to-day what all other women are bound to be seen in to-morrow?