ENGLISH FASHIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1923, Page 15

ENGLISH FASHIONS

Ths changes in fabric are almost as great as the alteration in style. The return to such old favourites as face-cloth, rep, and serge is a happy choice in materials for the between-seasons; but these, however simply they are treated, show variety in trimming, says the London "Daily Telegraph." Embroidered effects appear everywhere, and the majority are attained by the fabric being woven in such a manner as to look like needlework. Eastern colourings, too, are favoured for jumpers and the new long blouses fashioned in a similar way, being straightly cut on tunic lines. Many patterned stuffs will be seen, both in wool and silk-and-wool springlike suiting. Bright colours are subtly interwoven into a background of black, T>eige, or navy; such shadings are new and suggest that blurred effect that has been seldom seen in the pattern book of recent years. The neat tailor-made and neutral-coloured afternoon frocks always hold their own. For the morning shopping in town or smarter occasions in the country the spring coat and skirt is a necessity in the wardrobe of either the Frenchwoman or Englishwoman. Perhaps this year the smarter suits are a little more decorative than of yore—or at least the fabric is.

A well-built costume recently shown in London was made of a fascinating oldworld material, rep, in a shot grey and yellow combination. The coat itself was of figured wool broche and is cut on the latest and far fuller lines; and yet it preserved that slim,' wrapt appearance so essentially becoming to all types of figures. The deep band, cuffs, and revers were in the plain rep, to correspond with ths distinctly tight though longer skirt. Fashion is wonderfully elastic, ■ continues the writer; one sees quite as many tight skirts as full ones, though all are cut ample enough to walk in with ease. But whatever fads and fancies come and go, one has faith in the good judgment of our modern designers, who will not allow any foolish fantasies to displace the essential, chic of those slim straight lines that have so long- characterised the best of the tailor suits. Therefore tha extra amount of fabric in the coat or any fullness in skirt drapery will be suitably controlled."' It is certain that a smarter appearance is attain&d by the tigher skirt of- inkle length being worn with the fuller coats, and the decorative element can be provided by the combination of plain and fancy fabrics. Classical Egyptian effects in dresses will form a contrast to anything of the wider variety, especially in skirts and coats. La Mode is still full of several opposing- elements at the Eame time, it certainly whispers of lots of good things, including many interesting revivals of almost forgotten modes. Further, we can stil wear- the simple chemise-like dresses under the three-quarter plain habit coats, or a shorter, fuller affair, half-cape and half-coat. The sac Eton coat or bolero in black silk often provides a decorative finish for a practical serge house d/ess i'ancy sashes render these gowns very chic and the capes can be lined with the Paisley fabnc to match.