Fashions follow swing to country

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 7

Fashions follow swing to country

(By

NORMAN HARTNELL)

LONDON.

All round the world, the exodus from the big cities continues. In some countries, it is because of the soaring prices of land and housing. In others, because noise and pollution levels have become intolerable. Moving house is a confusing business at the best of times, migrating from town to country even more so. For it also means a complete rethink of fashion strategy. The fact is that some things which look well in town merely look silly in the country. For instance, a plumcoloured velvet topcoat is fine for flitting about the city, but it is not going to keep its looks long if it is worn for country walks or at point-to-point meetings. A well-cut tweed coat is much more sensible — and looks better, too. Trousers and trouser suits are also ideal — they look right and feel right. A BIG ADVANTAGE One big advantage the country-dweller has over town and suburban residents is a cleaner atmosphere, so that lighter, brighter colours are easier to keep that way. A white cashmere sweater worn in town quickly becomes grubby. In the country, it can look like a soapflake advertisement for days.

You will also need to replan your shoe wardrobes. This does not mean going in for sturdy brogues, but you would be well advised to avoid shoes with tottery high heels and thick platform soles. They just do not fit in.

For outdoor events such as horse shows, or just taking the dog for a walk, a car-coat is a very good investment. Those whose memories go back far enough will probably remember this garment under a different name — the jigger coat. Today, the short car-coat has come in for a revival. It really is ideal for all sorts of occasions. You can wear it just as well over trousers or skirts, and you can have it fitted or belted, zipped, or simply held together with a tie belt.

My favourite style is one in pure wool, three-quarter length, and loosely fitted with a tie belt round the waist. In classic camel colour, it fits in with almost everything else in the average

woman’s wardrobe, and always looks very smart. Having a country house myself, I must say that I seem to spend far more time out of doors than when I am staying in London, and this, I feel, should influence one’s choice of clothes more than any other. EVENING FUNCTIONS One thing to watch is the latest trends. You will have to exercise a great deal of caution here. For any extreme of fashion looks out of place outside city limits. So keep these for your visits to the theatre, or shopping trips.

The one exception to the rule, I believe, is evening functions. They tend to be very grand in the country and call for every bit of ammunition you have in the way of evening dresses and accessories. You really can let yourself go. It seems to me that whereas town and suburban parties are getting more informal, the traditional country “occasions” are remaining very formal indeed. Make-up? Those special evening functions apart, it it will pay you to tone down on the cosmetics front. Somehow, a face which has been over made-up looks even more artificial away from the bright lights. Take my advice. It is much better to aim for a natural look. It may take more time to achieve — the no-make-up-look calls for a lot of skill — but better that than looking out of place.