ENGLISH FASHIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 18

ENGLISH FASHIONS

EVER-CHANGING MODES.

Very gay colours seem to be the mode at present, and even the restfulneas of black or white is lessened by the trimmings of jewelled or irridescent passementeries. The linings of cloaks are brilliant to a degree, and scarves are of like tones. The monotony of the boatshaped neck is beginning to be felt, says an English writer, and there are some extreme decolletages to be seen, though mostly at the- back. This is a strange vagary, for it is most difficult for a. woman to get a really true idea of the beauty or otherwise of her own back, and so far as the fashion has progressed it looked as though they were at least very poor, judges. In any case, except in isolated shoulder blades and backbones are not at all beautiful. It appears that frail-looking diamante shoulder straps woven into trellis-work braces are considered enough to hold these gowns in position. Jewellery has small chance with such ornamentation. Black satin appears to.be a coming material, and has been allied, curiously enough, with weighty-looking embroideries of raffia. One mentioned was made with the whole of the bodice front a- mass of embroidery in coloured raffia. The same adorned the cape and coat collar. Smart black and white costuming is always correct, and a shiny-surfaced satin is much used. Padded eord-liko rolls are used round the necks and sleeves in lieu of collars and cuffs, and long tight-fitting sleeves are worn slashed at the top to reveal a glimpse of the bare shoulders. Black and gold is chic for afternoon wear. Many will be pleased to hear that the old favourite, Valenciennes lace, is. worn again, and a coat formed of it is a delightful novelty. For cuffs and collars it is usurping the place of organdi; it also appears as hat frills and cockades. It is youthful-looking and pretty, and appears to be thoroughly established as a trock trimming, and is no longer relegated to lingerie and infants' clothing. A particularly weird sketch shows, absolute bare arms, and one-button kid gloves with a turn-down gauntlet hanging over the hand. It should look perfectly absurd in reality. Another bare-armed damsel is shown ■in a voile frock worked with woollen roses. A ribbon sash adorned with woollen cross-stitch and skirt and bodice pieces to match on a plain material gave a good effect, and an opportunity for clever fingers' to do some pretty work. Another old fashion revived is the tubular knitting, such as used to be worked on a cotton reel many years ago. Several rows of this have been sewn on the hem, collar, and cuffs of a voile frock. The latest pendant mentioned iB merely a tube of silk from which depends a ribbon tassel."