AT THE RACES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 76, 31 March 1922, Page 9

AT THE RACES

SOME OF THE FROCKS

Fashions displayed at yesterday's meeting at Trentham were in the quieter tones, sombre.i shades contrasting with gayer colours and effectively toning down any leaning towards the bizarre. It was a smart display, and the absence of the. freakish mode said much for the better taste being shown by sartorial experts. . ' It was noticeable that there was a tendency on the part of the wearer to suit her own particular style instead of recklessly following a mode that would assuredly prove unbecoming, arid in doing so, lose its subtle.. charm. Skirts of all lengths (most of them with panels showing longer at the sides) were worn —some ample, some circumscribed, short, long, complete, or cut to reveal varying shades inset; capes, loosesleeved wraps; fur trimming on collar and hem; eire and silk braid; stitching, applique,, fringe, and sash. In a few ■cases were st'en skirts the brevity of which may have suited girlish winsomeness, but appeared quite out of pjace on women of more mature years. Still, th« keynote was simplicity—expensive simplicity which is refined and in exquisite taste. A very smart navy serge coatfrock (a style which was immensely popular, worn with furs or glimpsed under smart wraps and fur-coats) was made plainly, the skirt revealing a petal efieit with just a soupcon of crimson at. each petal edge. A short white fur coat was worn over a cream and black striped outfit, with drooping hat. Black satin vied with navy serge in the formation of another charming frock, ' the satin slightly gathered on the hips between its panels of the material, thereby emphasising, and at the same time, hiding its use. A charming frock of crepe de chine in tete-de-negre was banded at the neck on to a wide >circlet of heavy silk braid embroidery, which was also used on sleeves and skirt; a- small toque in. panne velvet -to match was 'encircled witli feathers, ending in a jaunty osprey. A quaint smoke-blue'velvet gown had & blue check and* was worn with a grey feathered toque. Black crepe de chine and jade were combined in another elaborate' toilette, the waist of, which was outlined by a handeome ceiuturo of jade crystal beads and a black tulle hat with drenched feathers was wholly becoming. A fawn velour wrap had several rows of pin-tucks suggesting a waist-line, no more, and'had a handsome fur collar. A very handsome coatfrock in navy serge was' noticeable for its eyelet-hole embroidery effect; the corsage was of crimson, which could be seen through the eyelet-holes; a feathered vieux-rose toque was worn. A wrap in navy embossed velvet had a collar in Paisley pattern- which gave the effect of a fichu draping, very effective in its carelessness. A handsome navy outfit was heavily braided in triple .bands of henna silk, the sac coatee effect being outlined with a. wide henna-em-bossed band. A kingfisher blue costume was relieved with gold applique^; the skirt had scolloped edges outlined in gold, with eyelet-hole work continued tothe coat edge. Coat frocks, close-fitting at the neck, built on straight lines excused by loose-hanging panels were very popular, and though severe, became the wearers. Hats were small or large, with feathers lending a softness, while stiff bows of eire ribbon gave an air of chic jauntiness to others. The new American Beauty shade was carried out in a handsome! crepe,de chine, frock, and should be much in vogue this season. An oyster-grey georgette over silk with oxidised silver vestlet, ' worn with a' close-fitting black eire turban with ospreys was a becoming model. Miss Harcourt was in a simple navy coatFrock with grey astrakhan trimming on the high collar 'and bell-cuffs and a navy toque with ,ostrich fenthers; Mrs. Gillon in navy with black hat trimmed with eire ribbon; Mrs. Elgar, a long fawn cape-coat witli fur relief and smart winged brown hat; Mrs. Eric Riddiford was'in black crepe de chine with fur-coat and lace hat: Mrs. Walter Johnston, 1 nigger-brown cloak with deep fur band from the- hem, beaver collar and cuffs end brown hat relieved with white ospreys; Mrs. Stanton Harcourt, in a navy costume with grey tri-come hat; Mrs. M'Villy, in black and jet, with a. floral toque ;, Mrs. G. D. Greenwood, in black georgette heavily beaded in white, ermine cape, and white velour hat with ermine bow; Mrs. Arthur Duncan, in black crepe de chine with orange feather trimming on her hat; Mre. Gathorne Hardy- (England) 1, a smart grey costume, grey hat with silver lace and touches of pink; Mrs. H. , Kirkcaldie; in navy blue. Mrs. Steele's [ blue and white foulard with plain blue georgette panels was worn with _ a bej coming wide bat. Mrs. J. Findlay's deep purple velvet cape was distinctive and was, worn with a purple hat with long violet feather. Mrs. J. Myers, in black jersey silk with fawn relief, and black and gold toque; Mrs. W. Perry, in blue silk with feather toque; Mrs. Gage-Williams in black with woollen cape in fawn. Mrs. Oran Beetham's beaver fur ooat concealed a charming grey frock, worn with bright blue feather toque. Mrs. E. Blundell, was in navy blue with red and white braiding; Mies Clifford (Christchurch), in navy blue georgette and crepe de chine and .small "blue feathered hat. Among others present were Mrs. Purdy, Mrs. AVhyte, 'Mrs. V. Dyer, Miss Alice Nathan, Miss Gladys Nathan, Mrs. H! Nathan, Mrs. G. Chapman, Mre. Stringer, Mrs. Hew- > it-t, Mrs. Tweed, Mrs. Magnus, Mrs.. M'Kellar, Mrs. M'Evedy, Mrs. Clay, Mrs. W. Bidwill, Mrs. C. P. Powles, Mrs. Duthie, Mrs. Chesnsy, Miss Brandon, Miss Barton (Featherston), Mrs. Gage-Williams (Carterton), Miss Ida Duncan, Miss Lulu Dyer, Mrs. P.. I. Duggle, Miss M'Killop, and Miss R. | Dennis (Mssterton), and others.