MODES OF THE MOMENT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 22

MODES OF THE MOMENT

Passing Notes by Jane

Wellington, July 26. Dear Isobel, I said I would tell you of Evening Dresses this week, but the field Is so vast, even in this one city, that I can only give you what comes uppermost in my mind out of the medley. Fashion is outdoing herself this season in variety and beauty of design, especially with regard to evening dresses. Colour is like Chesterton’s giant, it “strides among the tree-tops, and is taller than the trees.” Loud—vividarresting—dominating! For formal dinners or bridge parties, lace is the most popular—a rather heavy lace of small all-over design, made for the most part with plain bodice fitting well to a low hip-line, and flaring from there in luscious, ample flounces. Plain, long-sleeved jackets to match can be worn with them, for that is the essential note of the moment; a jacket for almost every dress you possess.

I saw a girl in a red lace dress in the lounge at the Midland—red again, you notice!—after dinner one evening, and was much struck by its simplicity and suitability. Also by the fact that in that very simplicity lies the catch. These dresses must, definitely, not be made at home. The line must be perfect, and that Judging by the less alluring results, is impossible of achievement, except by an expert. So get only one evening dress this year, if you must, my dear, but get it good, and let it be lace. The patterned Ninons come next on the list, so far as popularity goes—lovely, flounced, diaphanous confections, that are as great a delight to the beholder as to the wearer. You must feel happy in one of these flowery, fluid garments, which cry aloud for the descriptive pen of the poet Herrick. These gowns have either the regulation little coats to match, or detachable capes coming well-over the arms, and following the line of the skirt.

Little dance focks of flowered Taffetas are charming* for debutantes, very youthful and flattering. They are only for the small; slight girls, I think, though a mixture of net makes them easier for larger figures. Net and Lace, Net and Chiffon, Net and Satin, are all delightful combinations, and I’ve seen some Very successful gowns carried out through their medium.

We’ve given up asking “Long or short?” Long, indubitably. But there is a wrong length and a'right length, as I, the looker-on, easily perceive. From the knee down, or from just below the knee, there should be judicious transparencies, easily enough arranged in the sheer materials, more in taffetas and satin. If you cannot see at least the outline of slim ankles and dainty feet, there seems a lack of balance, an absence of that allure which is supposed to so intrigue the male, a heaviness to which our eyes have become’accustomed since skirts were short; so notice this in buying your evening dresses', because I’m convinced I’m right. Short skirts—but not too short —were first introduced by One Who Knew—Nell Gwynne, no less, of outrageous but delightful memory. It created the same impression in Charles H’s England as the unveiling of the Turkish women did in the Moslem world.

Watching the dancing at the Cabaret lately, I was especially struck with this question of length. The steps of the modern dances do not lend themselves to the graceful swaying motion that was so attractive when waltzing was in vogue, and unless the feet are visible, there seems no meaning in a foxtrot. Women have perforce lost the art of dignified and gracious carriage, which is the effect demanded if the present fashion is to have a success of any duration. There’s heaps more to say—about backs, for instance! But it must be left till next week. Yours, JANE.