No day for summer wear

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 6

No day for summer wear

A strong, bitterly cold wind on Saturday made the Cup day fashion picture at Rio carton confused. Most patrons shivered in light-weight outfits, but it was hardly a day for high summer dressing. However, it was made to order for jackets, and that is where much of the fashion focus rests at present. Jackets with the 1940 s look of built-up shoulders, nipped-in waists, and wide lapels were popular. A smart version came in white, piped with black, and worn with matching Oxford bags, a black shirt, and a white tie. Among the blazers the stand-outs were the striped, Eton variety, worn with cuffed pants and shirts and ties. Wide stripes of navy and white, and black and white, were favoured. There was some evidence of the return of the longer, boxy, double-breasted reefer. The co-ordinating jacket and trousers seems to have replaced the conventional trouser suit Generally, the trousers showed a trend to . a much wider cut and cuffs : were almost universal. Suits appeared to be re- ; turning among the young, alj though mature patrons stayed i with the dress and jacket or ! coat with its own jacket they s have chosen for the past few Some of the suits had the casual chic of sports wearjacket, shirt, and skirt in mix-and-match colours. But the more formal suit was there too. A smart version came in gold, with a boxy, blazer jacket, trimmed with a navy scarf tie, and a pleated skirt.

For the first time in recent years the flared skirt looks like beihg overtaken by pleats, of which there were plenty at Riccarton. Dresses came with sun-ray pleated skirts, and many suit skirts were accordion or box pleated. The most popular choice was the classic, white pleated skirt usually worn with a red or navy jacket. Red, white and blue was a top colour combination, and the ever-popular black and white were combined in a number of elegant outfits White was the basic, with dashes of black. In fact, after several seasons of subdued hues, the trend to clear colours was refreshing. White, which became a fashion shade against last season in trousers, was to the fore. An unusual combination came in a dove grey, midi-coat—one of the very few longer length garments of the course — banded in white, and worn with white trousers and top.

Short skirts still seem to be very much with us, especially the very young — women older than 25 seemed to be showing signs of accepting the just-above or on-the-knee length.

But whatever the length of skirt, shoes were the 1940 s style with ankle strap, and high heels and platforms—often in bright, or multicoloured suede. And there were plenty of younger patrons negotiating the concrete stairs of the stands in colourful, high-wedge clogs. It was an almost impossible day for keeping hats on, although many patrons seemed to favour clutching a small hat to being windswept. Surprisingly there were few Rembrandt berets, but a black and white turban was smartly combined with a black and white pinstriped blazer and black trousers.

A tie was a popular accessory with the young, either matching or contrasting with the shirt. Only a very few anklelength dresses were on the course.