ROYAL GARDEN PARTY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27442, 31 August 1954, Page 2

ROYAL GARDEN PARTY

‘FASHION EYESORES” ON THE LAWNS A London correspondent writes that overseas visitors to the Royal garden party at Buckingham Palace were amazed at what they described as fashion eyesores they saw on "the lawns. Most of the people attending had not much money to spend on lavish outfits, but, the correspondent said, that could not really excuse. One woman in 10 was wearing flatheeled white sandals suitable only for week-end or beach wear, and others in heavy utility shoes worn with lace, chiffon or organdie party frocks. The incredible number of wavy, drooping hemlines and the flounced full-skirted pastel organdies worn with picture hats by so many middle-aged matrons. Untidily draped stoles over bare shoulders and decollete necklines, especially the yellowing shawl worn over a white muslin dress with a baby blue satin sash and crumpled, artificial forget-me-nots in the hair. The effect of a hip-length spotted lynx fur Worn over a pastel floral chiffon dress with a big flower-laden hat and, of course, the inevitable white sandals. Flashly brilliant earrings and the lack of restraint of women who could not resist bedecking themselves in the entire contents of their jewellery boxes —bracelets to elbow, three or four necklaces, and at least two massive brooches hanging from flimsy floral The woman with the large white hat and Royal blue satin bare-shouldered frock almost to the ground, strung round with yards of white fox. Or the woman with the least hat of all—a tall blonde who wrapped a strip of red chiffon around an untidy chignon and left it at that. The Duke of Edinburgh set the fashion note for the day with an unusual blue and white checked shirt, with a white collar and a matching checked tie with his formal grey morning suit. The Queen wore a loose coat of navy blue silk over a fullskirted dress of navy and white patterned organza, with a small sidepulled hat of white lace mounted on navy. *