FASHION NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES.

BE SLEEK AND SLIM. VEIL FOR THE WIND. (By a PARIS EXPERT.) IN the smartest fashion openings, there are some sleek slim things, that made you look incites smaller around the waist, because of the new dashing flare to the skirt, the accents on smooth, normal waistlines, the fitted bodice-tops, the fitted slioulderlines that are appreciably wider, and the elbow length steeves that start from the shoulder with a conservative fullness. These dull black crepes do wonders for waning spirits. The shiny, fitted satins achiev'e a certain distinction or sophistication that you crave after. But one tiling is certain, unless you have the streamline of a pencil, you'll need foundation layers to smooth away every bul"e or wrong curve. The new autumn things fit, and fit with rather disconcerting emphasis, unless you've been curbing your appetites for sweets. Smart High Fashion Flares. Tunics, peplums and rippling overskirts that range in length from perky six-inch deep affairs, to swinging lampshade silhouettes that -touch the kneeline, are going strongly. Surprisingly short girls wear these tunics and peplums, every bit as effectively as the tall, willowy ones, so, if you're enamoured of such smart high fashion Hares, this ■is the time to indulge in them. Glistening jet buttons have been revived, studded on wide suede belts, or used to button the side dosing of blouse or peplums. Copper, a brand new colour excitement, is another novel accent in these autumn fashions. Some

of the dresses ot dull crepe or gleaming satin are untrimmed, except for the string or choker of copper beade around the high neckline. Corsage rlrapings, intricately pulled or puckered into formation, match the clever tucking and pleating in the moderately puffed shoulder seams of the dresses, and accent the prim simplicity of the straight skirts. When the peplums of long tunics are used, the slim skirt under them always i 6 slit at each side for freedom of the knees. Daytime Accessories jn Paris. Tlio daytime accesories seen in the Paris shows are vital indications of changing styles. First, and most dramatic there are high-topped shoes, ankle high ill suede for dress and in leather for sports. There are gloves like flowers in all the vivid and pastel shades, to make simple dark frocks and suits as gay as possible. Very often there are (lowers to match worn somewhere on the blouse or jacket. Then there are the petticoats in striped and flowered taffeta's, and in sheer white embroidered lingerie material—a significant ' accessory to fashions; and they are glimpsed in intriguing bits under the new wide shorter skirts. Sometimes a flower to match goes at the neckliiie of a model. Accessories worn with sports and simple flannel suits are very gay this season. There is no colour line drawn for accessories. Women are wearing shoes and bag of one colour, gloves and bag of one colour, shoes and hat of another, waistband, hat and gloves of various colours. Such lovely harmonies as red and green accessories with a grey suit, indicate what extremes women go to in accessory colours. Pearl necklaces are worn with suits, and the eternal jewelled dip or brooch, of course. For evening suit accessories, an air of lavish ness may , lie indicated, or the costume tuned lo simplicity. Accessories are of the first importance with any costume thte season.

Millinery—An Arrival. News, girls! A new veil has arrived, one which not only solves the problem of how to keep pretty curls in place on a windy day, but which makes the new high hat look still higher. This ingenious draping goes over the head like a bag, and is tied round the neck with velvet ribbon. Then on top of it, is poised the hat. And the result of the ingenious disposition of the half-yard or so of net, is to give a girl a most effective air of charm. Something of the same kind, carried out in a thicker, patterned veiling, produces much the same appearance as an early Victorian riding hat. Hats made of net for sports wear are seriously suggested by some of the Paris modistes. And they are miracles of workmanship, and are built up on the lines of a man's Homburg, with layer upon layer of net, so stiffened and stitched, that the shape is perfect. One of thei-c new net hats has a large flat beret crown on a straight brim, like an Elizabethan man's headgear. Much ingenuity has been expended on the brims of the new hats. I saw one made of a number of rolled felt cylinders, about the size of a cigarette, threaded in and out with thick ribbed ribbon. Several have brims of feathers of mica flowers. And there is a new crown, pointed like a gable roof, or a dunce's cap. Paris Snapshots. Frivolous ripples, sashes, sic transit. Parisiennes have grown callous concernins; the burning of their last season's •moral fashion ideas. A symmetrical coiffure effect with curls on one side, the other plain, is required to complete the smart head silhouette. There is a new snobbism of false hair, in its minor more frivolous aspects. We go to a dance, and everyone exclaims at our new fringe, whereupon we take it of! crying. "False, my dear; quite false." This kind of fringe'fastens on with an elastic band.

Distinction should be the keynote of your wardrobe rather than the Meat thing. And always avoid any kind of exaggeration. While the putting away of odd things may be a great joy, it is also a trap for the unwary. Ho who sneers at fashion would sneer at most of the things that maku life pleasant for ordinary men and women. Fashion is deep set in human nature. It is just a part of the desire of man and woman for better things. The motto of a well-dressed woman to-day should be, "Not what to wear, but how to wear it." • Plain slippers of deep glowing purple are distinguished and fascinating when worn with black evening dvesses. The note of purple is insistent. Long gloves are being -vorn for evening wear a good deal, and very often match the colour of the gown.