‘SWINGING STYLES’ FOR THOSE OVER 40

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31163, 13 September 1966, Page 2

‘SWINGING STYLES’ FOR THOSE OVER 40

Teen-age daughters are likely to be invading their mothers’ wardrobes if several of the “swinging styles” for the over-40s, shown by Beath and Company last evening, are an indication of things to come.

Elegant attire for fashion-conscious females need not be staid. Although the clothes for the young career girl were indeed individual and appealing she would have been equally at home in some of the eye-catching models designed for her more sophisticated senior.

Attractive colours, braiding and unusual fabrics gave a lift to well-tried favourites. But the more adventuresome styles—sleek shifts and shaped coats —undoubtedly stole the show. Mingled surprise and admiration greeted the entry and a black, bare-look evening dress shown by a model with a teen-age family. Short and sharply cut, with a high rising front held by halter straps joining at the back, it would have been a scene stealer anywhere after dark. The current vogue for cutaway shoulders and necklines appeared to treat the older woman’s softer shape very kindly. Looking equally dashing for day-time wear was a Mondrian look shift, blocked in royal blue and white with a patriotic dash of navy, red and

white braid. Swinging jauntily over the nifty shift was a navy linen coat, the back-belt, collar and pockets piped with white. White is “with it” this summer, and what is more it comes in washable fabrics. Ideal for a hot summer day, a white shaped coat—buttoning high with revers—and a smoothly-cut suit, showed the wearability of white. Both garments were made in a new, applied-quilted cotton which can be washed without losing its padded shape. Coloured leather belts featured on two Dior designs. The skirt of a strikingly coloured linen suit in royal blue with a fine line crimson check was a radical change from the straight line. Gracefully flared and pleated at the back, it had an easy air and was teamed with classic cut jacket. The white overblouse was clinched with a wide red leather belt. Contrasting styles for differing moods were shown in two models for after five. A silver lurex jersey styled in a sleek, sleeveless dress with small collar, revers, and looped front fastening looked set for action. For sitting pretty, a twopiece cream crepe, the over-

blouse veiled in rich cream lace, was designed for the occasion. Voille—double or lined—and bonded crepe made an interesting debut. Both move easily yet hang well in styles for girls on the move. Blouse tops, and bias cut flares sometimes coming from the hip were new lines.