NEW DESIGNS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13802, 20 November 1942, Page 3

NEW DESIGNS

CLOTHES CRITICISED FASHIONS NOT PRACTICAL A minor storm has arisen over the Board of Trade's utility dresses, because trade claims they are too fashionable, states the Sydney Sun. Women's wear manufacturers, who were critical at the trade showing, say that the clothes had too much "Mayfair fashions," and were not sufficiently practical for the housewife or women working in war factories. Not one designer had given an adaptable version of the "little biack dress," which before the war was the backbone of every woman's wardrobe. The manufacturers consider that the high fashion styles will date quickly, whereas clothes of a good simple cut would not be easily outmoded. The board points out that commissioned designs are from the best talent in London, called in to help manufacturers who have lost designers and skilled pattern markers and cutters. Designs were judged by experts from the retail fashion and wholesale production aspect. The "Daily Mail's" fashion writer says that suits are certainly stylish, and include high-buttoning jackets with' rounded lapels, exaggerated pockets anl a long hip-line, which dates them. Wooden-soled shoes have now reached retailers in a few areas, and the board is encouraging their production. Eventually they will include utility shoes for women and chidren. Manufacturers claim that the shoes are practically noiseless because pieces of leather are fixed to the soles. Experiments are also being made with insets of leather or rubber.