Boots, Tweeds At Addington

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31654, 15 April 1968, Page 3

Boots, Tweeds At Addington

Women muffled up in heavy topcoats, thick tweed suits, and winter boots to enjoy a day’s trotting at the Addington Raceway on Saturday. It was the right weather for maxi-skirts, but none appeared.

Instead, women patrons clung to their versions of the miniskirt, which they adopted reluctantly nearly two years ago.

The garment nearest to the new length was a dashing Zhivago-style coat in orange wool, worn with a wide, brown belt, orange trilby hat, and brown boots to the knees. (Without the belt this coat could have been midi-length, ia skirt-line that might well be preferred to the maxi in New Zealand.

| Many patrons stepped out i in long boots, but there were I none of the thigh-length I styles which manufacturers

have promised for winter, 1968.

The final day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting on Saturday began cold, wet and windy. It did not encourage a parade of high fashion: it was a day on which comfort had to come first. And although the weather improved throughout the programme, patrons arrived prepared for the worst. Full-length capes swung along jauntily. But many wearers looked rather awkward in them, with only slots for their arms to come through to carry umbrellas, race books and large handbags, as they battled against strong gusts of wind. Fur coats, both genuine and man-made, were frequently seen on the course—often with too many unnecessary accessories. A luxurious fur coat does not need fussy extras. Head-hugging fur and velvet hats were popular. Few women risked brims after last week’s storm. Trouser Suits Trouser suits have been worn at the raceway for some time now. But more dressy versions of the classic style were seen on Saturday. One noticeable ex-ample was in powder blue, light-weight wool. Its long jacket with stand-up collar fitted snugly over the bust and flared at the hips. It was teamed with a head-hugging fur hat and beige bag and gloves. Another, in checked tweed, had suede lapels and pocket flaps, which matched the trim on the visitor’s pillbox hat. Mrs G. W. Blaxall, wife of the club president, wore a brown wool jersey suit with a pale apricot mohair coat. Her small feather hat and accessories were also browntoned.

Mrs K. C. Myers, wife of the vice-president, chose a three-piece suit in bright petunia silk tweed. She wore a black velvet hat and kept a full-length ermine coat “at the ready.” Club Guests The club’s guests in the women’s box on the members' stand included Mesdames C. S. Thomas, J. K. Davidson, K. Saunders, A. J. Nicoll, O. Hutchinson, C. E. Hoy, E. T. McDermott, G. W. A. Green, L. R. Burt, D. E. Dalzell, A. L. Matson, H. F. Rutland, M. T. Dixon, E. F. Mercer, J. E. Prendergast, H. E. Cook, B. J. Wilks, A. K. Greenslade, W. M. Olliver, and H. M. S. Dawson.