Be “Different” – Fashion Arbiters Have Been Kind To Us This Year

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 202, 23 May 1936, Page 21

Be “Different” - Fashion Arbiters Have Been Kind To Us This Year

(By

Barbara.)

It is a curious fact that although our chief objection to a frock may be that “they are not worn like that now”— meaning that this frock is different from anyone else’s —yet every woman’s object is actually to have lier frock •‘different.” By “different,” she means that in feeling it must not differ materially from the smart frock of the moment, yet in detail it must be individual. The story of two women meeting at the races in the same “model” is too old to bear repetition. Yet even those of us who cannot afford “models” and have either to make our own clothes or have the _ little dressmaker-round-the-eorner do it for us, would feel equally affronted if we met an exact replica of our own frock face to face.

With the idea of helping you to make your frock, suit or ensemble “different” I have combed the highways and byways and returned with a set of suggestions which may, or may not. appeal to you. At any rate, they are diverse in character, correct in fasln ion, and, to my mind, decorative. But, before you begin remember that, if you indulge in colour contrast, in an abundance of jewellery, or in flowers, gaiety not vulgarity, wit and not hu-

mour are your goals. Don’t feel, apprehensive. however, because the arbiters of fashion have this year been so kind to us, so free in their ideas, that we may wear almost anything, or any style that suits us. A twist or a tilt will set any period, any silhouette in-fash-ion. We will begin with the ideas sketched. At the top we have a gay coat of black wool boucle. The double-breasted effect is fastened by matching blackbuttons. Collar cuffs and pockets are of astrakhan, eqaulets of black wool. A scroll design is embroidered on the high lapels with extra thick bright blue wool. A black skirt, blue gloves and blue band or feather to your hat—au extra suit to be proud of. Next, a charming frock of black pleated georgette—the sole decoration, bands of different coloured ribbons which tie in enchanting bows down the centre front; jade, coral, Chinese blue, violet and lemon yellow make an exquisite procession. Then we see a provocative bead-piece of leaves and blossom—adorable when given the right tilt. And last of all, a plain crepe frock which has been enlivened by two twisted colour bands.

which continue in streamer lines down the sleeves. Shirrings define the shoulders and hips. This is a season of flowers. Flowers both real and artificial are put to every conceivable use, and are used in every conceivable form of decoration. Other years we have waited till spring before bedecking ourselves with gay coloured blossoms. This year, flowers are “de rigeur” wherever yon go. One of the new dinner suits Is of black satin —a straight, slim dress with hem eleven inches from the ground, a straight, slim finger-tip jacket and enormous long sleeves that are nothing but masses and masses of red poppies! Yellow tulips are tucked into the sash of a black wool dress. A navy wool suit is worn with yellow gloves, yellow belt and three flowers of crimson, blue and yellow at the neck. Violets are worn everywhere on everything, and violet, the colour, is combined with grey, green, yellow and fuschla. Fuschla gloves are worn with a slategrey frock which has fuschla flowers at the neck. Real drawing-room flowers—roses, lilies, marigolds, daffodils, daisies, and forget-me-nots—are plucked haphazard and worn anywhere —

with tweeds, with town suits and at cocktail time! Flowers, of course, are worn in the hair at night. In fact the difficulty is to find a place to wear them which is new. Here are a few original suggestions—on your bag (a demure bunch of violets is enchanting on a silver bag), round your waist (a whole belt of carnations with an ice-blue frock), tucked in your belt, and (this Is really new) in your shoes. Fasten cornflowers or tea roses to your sandals and you have added just that much more allure.

Berries are “in,” too —and grapes. Wear these 011 hats, in the hair. Twist a bacchanalian wreath of grapos and vine leaves round the neck of a plain purple frock or the waist of a raspberry one. Your shoes, your gloves, your bags and even your nail polish are all opportunities for developing your colour scuse. Wear coloured shoes —grey with navy, tan with grey—and square toes. Let your gloves be made of string, or have contrasting detachable gauntlets, wear watches or jewellery ou your bags and choose your nail polish with imagination.