Expectant Mothers Can Buy Sensible Wardrobes

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28620, 24 June 1958, Page 2

Expectant Mothers Can Buy Sensible Wardrobes

With a little effort the mother-to-be can look more charming than a girl with a sylph-like figure. A sensible wardrobe is the first requirement and patient shopping round in Christchurch will show a wide range of attractive maternity wear. Although smocks and skirts are popular some women prefer a dress. For them there are unbelted frocks which fall from differing yoke designs. Most of these button through or fasten with concealed press studs with little flat bows forming the decoration at intervals down the front panel. They are made in warm materials in vivid colours of peacock, orange and yellow with gold and black designs. Trapeze Line The empire and trapeze lines, both high fashion in the United States and Europe, lend themselves well to maternity styles and with cunning alteration to suit the time, can do much to boost the ego of the wearer. The empire line, which fits only under the bust line, allows ample room for an expanding figure and the. trapeze line can be worn until the last month of pregnancy and still give the wearer a smart appearance. When fashion models marry and become pregnant they set the fashion for others. One of the most famous of these was Barbara Goalen. a top model in London for many years. She will be remembered for her photographs in the gl .ssy magazines which featured her extensive maternity wardrobe a few years ago. Slacks can look very attractive and most shops are selling a variety of matador and stove-pipe pants in checks and multicoloured cloths, for mothers-to-be. A hostess giving a party in her home can look casually elegant in a pair of black velvet stove-pipe pants and a good lame chemise too. The use of jewellery should be restricted for a simple and uncluttered effect. To team with these fashionable

ensembles there are extensive ranges of low-heeeld shoes incorporating the newest ideas, the pointed toe, for instance. I*or the elegant occasion shoes with a Louis heel are ideal. Recent years have marked a large “X” against the ugly cuban heel of the same height so that to be high heeled does not involve wearing unattractive fpotwear. Maternity wear should Jook freshly-pressed and manufacturers are producing many of their garments in crease-resisting fabrics of fine wools, worsteds and synthetic yarns. Most stores can supply heavy top coats for exoectant mothers in bright shades from their range of loose-fitting coats although there are none designed for this express purpose. As straight coats are not very full it is wise when buying this garment to make sure of a really loose fitting one. To be tightly encased in a coat with buttons straining looks and feels terrible. Pinafore Frocks A shopkeeper who specialises in maternity wear from foundation garments to top coats says that the pinafore-topped smock, which can be worn over a jumper for cold days, is one of the most useful assets to a woman and is made in a variety of velvet and needlecords. Boat-necked, jersey wool smocks are in bright designs with patch pockets near the hemline. To wear with these tops, skirts come in varying designs. Some are gored and others wrap around and can be let out as required. For the woman with a flair for sewing there are still good paper patterns available and the straight styling of most maternity garments does not present many difficulties to a beginner. An eye for fashion and good taste are assets a woman cannot do without and even during this

“unshapely” time she can, with the aid of suitable clothes, makeup, and a little extra care, make herself look beautiful.