VICTORY STYLES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13014, 4 December 1942, Page 3

VICTORY STYLES

STOCKS GETTING LOU

GREAT HUSH TO PURCHASE

Of the thousands purchasing Victory styles in preference to pro-regu-lation clothing, very tew realise they are doing so. says Marjorie Goodisson in the Sydnev Sun.

Reason is that shops, thinking there might be a reaction against enforced styles, do not label them.

However, their" fears have proved unfounded. For discerning women are seeking the Victory styles from amongst the racks of flared, pleated and embroidered models, and snapping them up.

Although regulations prohibiting, manufacturers from making any clothing other than in the Victory styles were proclaimed on July 26. as they work so many months ahead, pre-regulation styles are still coming into the shops. Manufacturers' pre - regulation stocks are expected to be exhausted by the middle of October. From then on, except for a comparatively few garments in odd sizes left in the shops, women will have no alternative but to buy the Victory clothes.

Lucky Break

This will prove no hardship to anyone and for women with no clothes sense, it should prove a lucky break. Their choice limited to plainer Victory styles, they do not have the opportunity to commit mistakes they make when given their head with unlimited pleats, tucking, pipings- and embroidery. The Victory styles do not cater for old women, and before long it will be possible to say that Sydney, like New York and pre-war Paris, is a city of ageless women. Leading fashion authority and member of the National Council for Clothes Styling (Mr F. Gruner) says of the Victory styles: ".From a man's point of view, Victory styles are tops. Firstly the plainer styles frame a woman's personality rather than blot it out, as most fussy type of clothes tend to do. It is much more pleasant to talk to an individual than to a collection of bows, frills, and fur-belows, with a human being hidden somewhere in their depths." All shops report that Victory clothes they have in stock are selling well.

On a shopping tour made specially en behalf of the readers of "The Sun," I made a collection of the Victory clothes which have proved the best sellers to date. Ou: of them has been selected a wardrobe for one season, which can be purchased with the allotted 56 coupons.

Formal Outfit

More two-piecers have been purchased by Sydney women than any other garment since the introduction of rationing. Because of its infinite possibilities for all occasions, this choice is a credit to their practical good sense. The suit chosen is a light navy blue rayon, silk and linen mixture material. The skirt and jacket take 14 coupons. Worn with, a tailored hat (3 coupons), a shirt blouse (6 coupons), and smart low-heeled shoes (S coupons), it is suitable for general street wear for women of all ages.

It is most practical for the office worker also, as the skirt and blouse make an attractive combination without the coat.

Without the blouse and with the addition of a decorative dress hat (3 coupons) and dress earrings and beads (no coupons), this suit becomes a formal outfit suitable to wear to dinner.

While it is formal, its simplicity is in keeping with wartime entertaining and at the same time it is most be-

coming. Accepted by Sydney women as almost a uniform for informal occasions, a pair of slacks < 9 coupons), worn with the coat of the suit, the shirt blouse and sport shoes, is an outfit that can be worn either indoors or out.

For the expenditure of 4."> columns any woman can at least see that she has suitable clothes for most occasions. -The remaining 13 coupons of the six-months' allowance can buy another frock or a complete set of undies.

This tour proved that on woman need be inappropiately dressed because of lack of coupons. The Victory clothes viewed yesterday indicated that a good tip to shoppers would be to ask to see the Victory styles before they purchase. Their choice would then probably be made for them.

Victory styles generally—there are a few exceptions—are the most practical and becoming fashion. Fashion is now Victory clothes, and the woman dressed otherwise will not be the one to be admired.