Flowers, Feathers, Veiling

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25903, 8 September 1949, Page 2

Flowers, Feathers, Veiling

But the display of hats was the most intriguing part of the parade. They were of great variety—in shape, in colour, in the materials of which they were made and in trimming. Generally speaking they showed the “starboard" tilt so greatly featured in English fashion journals. Some were of two tones—navy and white being

most popular—and others were made of two materials—felt and straw or straw and taffeta. A new,note was the introduction of striped brims. One attractive hat had a brim of grey and white striped grosgrain, a grey crown and two grey tassels at one side and a hat of green satin had the off-the-face brim striped with the reverse side of the satin. For the most part, crowns fitted snugly on the head and feathers, flowers, and veiling were lavishly used as trimming. A small pink felt hat with conical crown had a sweeping black ostrich feather falling over the brim, a two-toned hat of silver ~rey and wine-red was trimmed with pheasant feathers and a little brown bonnet gained chic from the pheasant feathers—some curling upwards and some falling almost on the cheek of the wearer. Big clusters of flowers gave a festival air to many hats, one of royal blue taffeta trimmed with field flowers and another close-fitting grey hat with red roses being greatly admired. Veiling was worn in many ways—over the face, to soften the lines of a hat and in one instance, large-meshed navy veiling was stretched over the upper brim of a big beige coloured straw hat. Most amusing were a few cane hats, which it was explained were greatly favoured in Australia and America. They were very small with tiny crowns and were trimmed with fruit or flowers. Afternoon Frocks Great interest centred on the afternoon frocks, and many beautiful examples were worn by the mannequins New fashion notes included floating skirt panels and scooped necklines often outlined with taffeta, while the ever-popular and very useful patterned frock, with full-length coat, held its own against all comers. A lovely frock for formal occasions was one °f lime green crepe, with slim skirt, over which fell side drapery that was caught in a bow on the hip, and the unfailing smartness of black was exemplified in a crepe frock trimmed on bodice -and skirt with horizontal bands of black military braid. Reminiscent of the redingote style was a frock of stone-beige crepe with a row of self-covered buttons fastening the bodice in front and extending below the waist. The cocktail hour was provided for by some charming gowns, notably one of black moire with V-neckline and bustle bow; another with a silver needle run lace coatee worn with a black skirt, and a third of serpentine blue with fullness of jacket and skirt drawn to the back.

Many of the tailored suits in gabardine and tweed had slim skirts slit at the side and neatly moulded coats fastened with one button, and for the warmer weather a splendid range of light-weight suits was shown. Very uncommon was a peplum floral suit in muted colours—grey, white, and soft yellow—made with a gored skirt and three-quarter-length sleeves, and among the smartest outfits in this section was a teal blue suit with short, loose coat, white blouse patterned in blue, and a slim skirt. With it was worn a small matching hat, and the rectangular bag of the same colour a perfect finishing touch. Coats for soring davs were modish in cut and attractive in colours. One striking example was made of very finely checked blac ,r nr, d white wool sheer, with black taffeta collar and cuffs and fullness at the back conI trolled by a shoestring tie, and a ser-

viceable coat of modern cut was of nymph green gabardine with deep Peter Pan collar.

Glamour and practicability were cleverly mixed in the collection of evening and dinner gowns. The pleasing display opened with a lovely frocK of white net lightly patterned with gold—the dream of every young girl looking forward to her debut. This was followed by a frock of floral C ton poplin, so pretty and demure that it proved the claim made by manufacturers of cotton material that cotton is no longer relegated to the kitchen. but has become the belle of the ball at night. Two frocks that would be admired on any dance floor were made of blue and silver lame lacquered lace with a swathed boatshaped neckline, and another of royal blue crepe with neckline V-shape 1 in front and square at the back. Over it was worn a hip-length evening coat of white satin embroidered with royal blue sequins. A ballerina frock featured twe shades of green—the bodice of fern green lace and the skirt of bottl® green taffeta. Women who feel the cold on their arms—and there ore many such—were delighted to see two elegant frocks with long, light sleevj* One was of white mess creoe. discreetly embroidered with gold sequil* and worn with a most covetablc wrap of beige arctic fox. and the other was of black velvet which gained added dignity from the wrap of white fox fur. which was worn with it. The highlight of the display was a gorgeous evening dress of ivory moire taffeta, hand painted in tulip design in blue, lavender, and rose pink, and finished with one of the new fashionable stoles, which, artistically worn, can add greatly to the effect of any evenjng gown. On this occasion the stole was made of the same rich material as the frock, and lined with rose pink georgette. The promenade was compered b v Mrs Mollie McNab, and enlivening music was played by Mr Howard Moody. The .promenade will be repeated each afternoon until next Wednesday Advt.