London Designer’s View On All-Wear Wardrobe

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 2

London Designer’s View On All-Wear Wardrobe

“No outfit is complete without a hat, but I am afraid I don’t practise what I preach—J haven’t worn a hat for two seasons,” said Mrs Alice Edwards, a London fashion designer at present in Christchurch. “The high hats are very trying to tall women. I just can’t take them with my build, so I just don’t wear a hat.” She admitted, however, that she had brought a few hats to New Zealand. None was so tall that it was overpowering, but the hats were taller than she would have liked, she said.

Mrs Edwards felt that she was in good company—Princess Margaret and Princess Alexandra are frequently seen without hats. She was rather addicted to frivolous cocktail hats, she said. “They can be lota of fun as long as they are not too much of a hat." “Comfort Flattering” Mrs Edwards is a firm believer in wearing what suits. “The only purpose of clothes is to flatter,” she said. Comfort played a great part in flattering. “If you don’t feel comfortable in an outfit, you won’t look attractive in it either.” Clothes should become more “dressed up” as the day progressed, said Mrs Edwards. Very casual, simple clothes, with restrained jewellery were suitable for morning wear. Afternoons should see something more format “And after five you can really go to town—be as gay. as decollete, and as frivolous as you like.” More flamboyant and glittering jewellery was suitable for evening, she said.

Interviewed at a cocktail party given for business associates m a hotel last evening. Mrs Edwards was wearing a plain white linen ensemble, with white eyelet embroidered shoes and white handbag. Jewellery included a large ear-ring, brooch and bracelet set in gold set with coloured stones, a wide gold bracelet watch, a double-stranded pearl necklace and a pearl

chain bracelet and a large platinum and diamond dress ring. Stiletto Heels Stiletto heels were very flattering to the legs, said Mrs Edwards. She admitted that excessive height made for bad posture. “You should only wear heels that are high enough to allow you to walk well.” she said. Paris collections this year were showing a lower heel height, she said. For day wear Mrs Edwards would choose a lower heel than for evening. Patent lea-

ther was good for day time—or for any time of the day, she said. She prefers light coloured shoes, preferably in the off-white range, for summer. Gloves are another of Mrs Edwards’ enthusiasms. “You could call me a glove boarder,” she said. She found short gloves the most useful. "The length of glove depends on the person wearing it, on the length of the sleeve and of the arm. I will often try on three or four gloves before I find the one I like best.” she said. As a general rule, a sleeveless dress should be worn with elbow-length gloves. El-bow-length or longer sleeves should take a short glove. With an autumn or winter suit Mrs Edwards would wear a bracelet-length glove tucked under the cuff of the suit. Evening wear was usually more formal, although again it depended on the style of the dress.