AMERICAN NOVELTIES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 4

AMERICAN NOVELTIES

Masks and Coloured Stockings

Travel, which is always a source of information and education, appeals strongly to Mrs. John Hewitt, of London, for she is naturally a most observant woman, and wherever she goes gleans much knowledge and pays attention to detail. Mrs. Hewitt and her husband are now visiting Australia. It is only 18 months since Mrs. Hewitt made her first trip to Australia, and in the last three years, since her marriage, she and her husband have .seen very little of their home in the West End of London, as they have bpen travelling a great deal. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt left London in October, and came to Australia, via America, and though they had only a few weeks there it was long enough for Mrs. Hewitt to absorb the latest in fashions.

In a short chat over the luncheon table to a representative of an Australian newspaper Mrs. Hewitt remarked that one of the most striking fashion features in America at the moment was the dark and coloured stocking vogue. “When black is worn the stockings are also black, but they are so sheer that they give the appearance of gunmetal,” she said. “With burgundy anil sage green toilettes, the stockings are in the same colour, but again they are so fine the casual observer would not realise they were coloured unless they happened to look down at the heel.” Mrs. Hewitt is enthusiastic about the

appearance of American women, whom she classes first in the women of the world in smartness and well-groomed appearance. To achieve such chic, she said, she realised that they epent a great deal of money and practically lived in beauty salons. To-day the American woman was making up less vividly than a little time back.

The Mask Craze.

A novel note has been introduced at formal gatherings in America by the carrying of masks, which are usually beautiful ashen faces featuring vivid lips and lace eyelashes. They are attached to attractive holders, and are brought into play if milady feels the desire to yawn or is feeling particularly bored with the party. Mrs. Hewitt was so intrigued with the novelty that she was sorely tempted to make a purchase, but refrained as they are rather fragile, and she thought that it would not stand up to the packing and unpacking, and on second thoughts realised that she would have little use for a mask. It was in Hollywood that she first saw the novelty. Scarves, bags and hats and. in fact, all accessories were so snappy An America that they played a most important role. Gold belts and gold clips were having their innings, while severe, plain and tailored lines were all the vogue. Tiie courtesy of the assistants in the American stores was something that could not escape notice. In Melbourne Mrs. Hewitt was surprised to find that the .shops were showing clothes and accessories similar to the latest displayed just before she left London. Tapestry Work. Tapestry worn, according to Mrs. Hewitt, is staging a come-back in England, and she thinks that there is .something very fascinating about it. She, herself, is busily engaged in working a fire screen. Knitting is also very popular among the womenfolk on the other side.

Mrs. Hewitt, who is fond of golf, plays one day a week with Mrs. Ben Dawson, who will be remembered in Australia as Dorothy Brunton, a stage favourite. On the trip from England* to America Mr. and Mrs. John Hewitt, met Miss Merle Oberon, and they both declare that: she is even more beautiful off the screen than on it.

In England the Duchess of Kent sets the hair styles and hats, and though hair is still much waved and curled. Mrs. Hewitt has remained distinctive with her dark, sleek Eton crop, worn brushed well back from the forehead. Few women could wear a hairdress so jyvere with such success,

Mrs. L. C. Boulton, wife of the commander of the Government motor-ship Maui Pomare, returned to Wellington tins week from Samoa. She was a passenger on tlie vessel, having made the round trip from Wellington.