PARTIES, BALLS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 2

PARTIES, BALLS

Some Wear Nightgowns “TM Rress“ annfol SvnHw AUCKLAND. Whenever there is a display of elegant feminine nightwear, someone wifi eventually remark that the “nighties are good enough to wear to a ball.” Now the words are becoming action.

The trend for appearing gowned in a nightdress in public originated overseas but this year Auckland promises to adopt the fashion.

A look through the many lingerie shops in the city which display rack on rack of night dresses—with friUs, lace, chiffon, embroidery or tucking—leaves one with the distinct impression that “nighties" may have; after all, been created for a ball or party.

In fact, Auckland lingerie retailers are already being told by visiting sales representatives that their “nighties” are smart enough for a girl to slip on over a new hairdo and jewels and wear to public functions.

In the opinion of one boutique sales girl there is very tittle difference between some long “nighties” and draped chiffon ball dresses.

For Dancing A buyer in a large departmental store in Queen street even advoevates that several of the night dresses offered for sale in the lingerie department should be used for dancing. When one considers these “nighties”—frill-length with a sheath underskirt and draped overskirt falling in a Grecian effect from the shoulders—one can recall similar garments displayed in fashion magazines as high fashion evening wear for the ball season. Most sales women in city shops have at some time heard their customers comment on the suitability of nightgowns as party wear. One lingerie shop has for sale a frothy, tiered, kneelength “nightie,” obtainable in various shares and trimmed with flowered lace motifs. “A woman bought one of these and wore it to the

races,” said a salesgirl. “She replaced the motifs with drop pearls. Another gin bought the “nightie” in a bright pink and wore it to a party." For Races There are some, with warm brushed nylon on the inside, that strongly resemble the granny frocks worn by the “mod, switched-on” set It is this young, fashion-conscious set that has adopted the shorty “nightie" look for street wear. Paris derided on the bloomer style of dress and Auckland “mod” girls decided that the warm fleecy bloomer pyjamas on sale in town are the ideal equivalent of this style. The bloomers are long, almost to the knee, featuring row upon row of frills and the tunic top with frilled cuffs on the long sleeves falls to the top of the frilled legs. “I’ve sold several pairs of these pyjamas. One girl wanted a pair for casual wear at home, and another girl for street wear. You can see girls In town on a Friday night weartag them,” commented a saleswoman. Most of these potential ball gowns (and this is a dominant factor) can be bought for as little as £6, in fact, about a third of the price of an especially designed ball gown.