CUP DAY MATRONS OUTSHONE “MODS”

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 2

CUP DAY MATRONS OUTSHONE “MODS”

Young fashions have dominated the Christchurch race scene for some time but Cup Day at Riccarton on Saturday was a different story. Well-dressed middleaged women stole a march on the “mods.”

For every well turned out “mod” on the course there were at least a dozen impeccable matrons. It was not that either the young or the not so young made any sweeping concessions to overseas trends but because most often the mods “had the gear but not the grooming.” Early morning brought heavy showers—an answer to some trainers' prayers— but the accompanying cold winds kept avant garde fashion away until after the first few races. Light-weight wool or heavy linen suits were the compromise for what began as a chilly summer day. The young, being hardier, chose linen more often than wool. Suits showed little variation

on the styles of last year. Longer jackets are still very popular with tailoring details in the skirts. Hot Colours What is new is the ascendency of the hot colours worn by young and old. Oranges, magentas, emeralds, and vivid pinks were everywhere. The once conservative matron now wears bright colours as confidently as the very young. All ages teamed orange with navy blue, with plenty of pink and purple and all shades of green and blue. Patent leather in shoes and handbags abounded in shades of pink, purple, kelly green. Women of all ages favoured smaller handbags. The enormous monstrosities which once detracted from many a pleasing outfit ate now going out Stetsons which came out en masse for the Grand National meeting a few months ago

were the classics In the millinery section. They were in straws, felts, and stitched satins. In every colour of the rainbow. They were turned up and turned down and all were held in place by a chin strap. Older women teamed their linen suits with petalled hats which were exceptionally pretty on Saturday. The most outstanding petalled hats were circlets of artificial flowers. One patron wore a crown of pink and blue dahlias to match her linen suit and another wore all shades of little pink roses with her summer suit. Trouser Suit One young woman wore an emerald green cuffed trousersuit but neither this nor the abundance of very short skirts attracted half the attention that they would have done a year ago. Mrs D. W. J. Gould, the wife of the dub’s chairman wore a marigold orange slimfitting suit in a light boucle wool. Her three-quarter length jacket was lined with an orange spotted silk matching her lapels and blouse. Her turban was styled from bands of silk in toning shades of orange and she wore black accessories. Mrs P. D. Hall, the wife of the dub treasurer, chose an ochre wool coat with shaping in the waist and slightly flared to the hem, worn with a silk dress in shades of navy, black and blue. She wore navy blue accessories. Visitors from other centres included:— Dr and Mrs John Power (Toowoomba), Mrs J. F. Hughes (Auckland), Sir Matthew and Lady Oram (Palmerston North), Mr and Mrs A. E. Preston (Wellington), Mr and Mrs F. H. Plunkett (Winton), Mr and Mrs J. C. Craig (Westport), Mr and Mrs T. W. Thomas (Blenheim). and Mrs and Mrs A. R. Algie (Wellington).