'Switched On' Schoolgirls

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 2

'Switched On ' Schoolgirls

School-holiday time sees the very latest in fashion gimmicks, from mini skirts, white boots and pattemed stockings, in Christchurch vnnsicnurcn streets. While the working girl remains relatively staid and conventional the schoolgirl discards her uniform and dons the London-look styles Whether In rebellion accepted stamSS or toX y d a iffer n P n e t XPreSSi °t n * ? thP «“t conc eptlon of seem to rteLh? . I J‘ year ' olds the new “ Eea ?” 1 Weanng g a Until the middle of May a discreetly revealed knee appeared to be the Christchurch lass’s concession to overseas fashion soothsayers who said hemlines were going up, up, up.

But suddenly two to six inches of thigh can be seen—--311 the better to show those fancy stockings and set off the “kinky” boots, After the present display of white stockings, tartan stockings, crochet-knit stockings, and man y-coloured tights, the plain nylon will se ? m Plain indeed, white of course, are a Corduroy, in suits, coats, skirts and slacks is s P orted by ever 7 who LTC what is Tn ?u?wh«e moZ? « not so sure . “No dear, really I did want you to have something for best,” a harassed mother was overheard to say to a city store. “But this is best,” wailed her 14-year-old daughter reluctant to part with the royal blue corduroy coat she was trying. The outcome of that battle

is unknown, but the reporter knows of several where youthful determination and resiliance have triumphed. “Now you are not wearing those green tights again. I’ve told you about that a dozen times,” was one mother’s attempt at a firm stand. “Oh Mum, you just don’t know what’s fashionable these days. Besides everyone likes them,” came the teen-age daughter’s reply as she headed for the back door.

"It’s too tiring to argue, I’ll just have to make the best of it,” reason many mothers. Trying to guide a 15-year-old away from an allblack attire, including black mesh stockings and a generous amount of black mascara, a mother used the artful dodge of suggesting the addition of “a bit of life” with a brightly coloured sweater. But the final choice

of an orange and mauve sale buy was not quite the effect at which she aimed. Some mothers have more luck, and really enjoy watching their daughter’s dress sense developing. “We seem to fight most of the time, but the end result’s not so bad. In fact, though I don’t always say so, she usually looks quite pretty,” confided a woman to her neighbour on a bus.