And grey is the colour

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 16

And grey is the colour

Light grey — or silver cloud, as it is known in the trade — is “the colour” in men’s shirts this winter, according to the managing director of a New Zealand shirt - manufacturing firm, Mr N. G. Ambler. It comes with a trend towards more subdued patterns this year. “A touch of classic elegance is returning,” said Mr Ambler recently. The brash dots and spots of past seasons have gone and quieter horizontal and vertical border stripes have replaced them. The body-fitting line is still popular for younger, slimmer men but a new range of both city and casual models coming out this year provides comfort for older, and fuller, men as well. A line of 28-guage polyester cotton garments, with 19 different plain shades, is proving popular, and they offer new styles in trim and neck shape. “These can be worn by all age groups and they are also being made in a heavier winter weight,” said Mr Ambler. A line of velour pullovers is particularly popular with buyers for this winter. In bugundy, bottle green, navy and chocolate, these garments .come with crew or “V” hecks and are made of knitted triacetate nylon, cropped to give a soft, velvet look. Knitwear, generally, is big news in men’s fashion this winter. There is a line of poly-ester-cotton shirts that is a “sell-out” on retailers’ counters. These are printed with tree motifs or city scenes with muted background shades. Fawn and sage green are the popular colours here. A pure wool shirt that is hand washable, shrinkproof and lightweight has been put out, using the Aqualana process that has been evolved by the New Zealand Wool Board, says Mr Ambler. The popular shades for this one are the “dusky" ones — in blue, green, pink, fawn and cream. For a basic winterstandard shirt it is hard to beat Viyella and the flannel look. Said Mr Ambler: “In England and bn the Continent the little check designs are returning — AT

although we have not seen evidence of the trend in New Zealand yet. “The patterns are asserting themselves in houndstooth and gingham designs, with fawns and brown tonings being popular.” These shirts are also available in plain and marie shades, said Mr Ambler. ,