Confetti Colours In Summer Fashion

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30541, 9 September 1964, Page 2

Confetti Colours In Summer Fashion

' Gay carnival colours, like a shower of confetti in a blue sky, were scattered through the new “Tom Jones Look” and the elegant Josephine line in a parade of high fashion summer wear at Beaths last evening.

Presented by Mrs J. D. Carl (the compere) and Mrs R. B. Johnston (the co-ordinator), the styling showed a novel preoccupation with the 1930’s when women wanted to look their most feminine in troubled times. It was seen in the moulded line with a suggestion of fit, high waists, low pleats, full chiffon sleeves with tight cuffs, in the big droopy hats reminiscent of the slouches Greta Garbo wore and the occasional pillbox. Prosperous Air The confident prosperity of the 1960’s is reflected in current fashion by the lively strength of the colours in rich silks, and in the emphasis on gracious living with the patio dress. Brilliant peacock blue, emerald, pinks from pale orchid to the deepest japonica tones and vibrant golds led the way in last evening’s parade. “Navy-Plus” This year the fashion-wise are talking about “navy-plus” —navy plus almost any other colour—iri combinations that are in rival to the perennial favourite of navy and white. Looking as if she had stepped out of a glossy magazine, one model teamed a navy organza shift featuring long-pleated sleeves, with a jade-green silk straight coat. From under the coat sleeves came a peep of the navy organza cuffs. Her hat was a tiny ail-flower navy pillbox worn far back on her head. “Tom Jones” For the .young—and for them only—“ Tom Jones” dresses were introduced. Inspired by the British comedy of the same name, this style is made up of a basic skimmer dress with a deep V-neekline

and worn over a long-sleeved blouse with a frilly front or a softly tied bow at the neckline. The “Linen Look” was a daytime favourite, interpreted as a high-waisted skimmer with a matching full-length coat, a short jacket or. both. Crofter linen, which has the appearance of wool, was new. This was shown in a white suit with a vivid cerise silk blouse. The Patio Dress Tn a dazzling range of long patio dresses for the hostess entertaining at home, the blouse and skirt came to the fore. One with a plain bottlegreen silk skirt and a petalled hemline and a deep-cuffed blouse in a cool fernpatterned green and white silk. Another had a chiffon blouse in glowing stripes over a plain straight skirt. Of the formal evening gowns, one of the loveliest was a high-waisted, strapless style ' blue smoke chiffon, which brought to mind shipboard dancing in the tropics. Like a trail of mist, the skirt fell gently to the ground from a wreath of smoky blue and emerald flowers at the bustline. Another Josephine-line gown was shown in black brocade boldly patterned in Oriental red and pink handpainted chrysanthemums. Matching Hats Except for the “navy-plus” idea, hats were usually matched to frocks and suits rather than worn- in contrast. They were mainly widebrimmed and summery, but several full-crowned bowlers with squared-off brims and variations of the pillbox were teamed with smart streetwear. Petal hats and petal trims on large fine straws were also popular.