HIGHLIGHTS FROM LONDON FASHIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 281, 27 November 1941, Page 15

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LONDON FASHIONS

"Utility" Clothes Are Pleasant Surprise

(By CORISANDE)

Utility clothes made from materials that conform to Board of Trade standards of weight and price will not be dull. In making them manufacturers seem to have acted on the principle "brighter clothes for wartime women."

Women will have many pleasant surprises when the materials are on the market; makers-up are confident that ready-to-wear clothes made from these fabrics will be given a warm welcome.

When "utility" clothes were first suggested, the idea that these would be "standardised" rapidly gained ground. Angry Board of Trade officials protested that there was nothing "standard" about them except as regards weight and price. Women still believed that some scheme of uniform lay back of the "utility" plan, and that colour ranges would be limited.

The first glimpse of the new materials dissipated once and for all any idea of standardisation as regards colour. Makers-up will be free to adopt any styles they please, so long as ihoy conform to the price regulations affecting materials of different qualities.

If it were not for the Government mark on the edge, the average woman would find it difficult to distinguish between "utility" cloths and the ordinary fabrics offered in the shops. The difference is that materials conforming to the Government standard will give maximum value for money. It's up to any woman to buy other materials or clothes if she pleases.

Bales of materials and swatches of patterns lay about the room in which I saw samples of these new materials submitted for official approval. There were numbers of tweeds in varying colours and patterns—soft herringbone stripes in the new golden yellow, in chestnut colour, in blues and greens, wine and other shades, as well as Donegal mixtures and checks.

Rayon and wool mixtures for dress purposes are specially attractive. They are light in weight, soft to the touch, and made in a variety of pastel shades. Some of these lightweight woollens have the appearance and feel of angora or cashmere fabrics.

Striped worsted suitings are shown for spring suits. Flower printed or spotted cotton materials, and hair cord muslins were summer suggestions. Many of these materials have a litien-like finish and are crease resisting.

Rayon lingerie crepe and rayon blouse materials are in delicate pastel as well as darker shades. Printed rayon dress materials are distinguished by attractive and wellbalanced colour schemes, and this colour question has been equally carefully thought out in the cheaper materials like flannelette, intended for use as cheaper pyjamas and night clothes.

It's too early yet to say much about the effect that utility fabrics will have on fashions for the masses. Makers-up prophesy a boom in the coat and skirt model. One explanation for this is that a classic suit costs the same number of coupons (18) as a coat, and is better coupon value as it can be worn all the year round.

Women who can still afford to pay high prices for clothes will continue to order from their "exclusive" dressmakers, who are not in the least likely to be handling "utility" fabrics.