ENGLISH FASHIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 15

ENGLISH FASHIONS

Dressmakers may endeavour to persuade women to wear dresses that touch the ground; going so far as to hint that their ankles are far from graceful affairs that many imagine them to be, but the leaders of fashion have decided that their frocks shall clear the ground by at least five inches, says "The Tatler." The days of the practical pocket. are passed, and as a consequence there is much that must be carried, inoluding the sunshade, vanity bag, and it may.be a single flower, the mission of the last-mentioned being unobtrusively, to introduce a telling touch of colour.

Women to-day are nothing if not practical, and are seeking hats of crinoline and pedal straw rather than those of organdi and lace. Pedal straw is much worn, aud the orowns of some chef doouvres are of straw, with lace'brims and bows of ribbon.. There is an infinite variety of crinoline hats with the modish straight back; they are ornamented with ribbon, lace, and flowers. Again, there are crepe de chine toques, the upstanding brims enriched with'embroidery, for moderate prices; naturally there is a splendid assortment of Cloohe hats, both with and without veils. Sunshades are of vermilion silk hemmed with fringe, and printed cottony are also much used. By the way the Italian peasant sunshade is as fashionable as ever. The last words in the story of gloves are here to be studied, many of which are c-f the washable persuasion in delicate summer shades. It is not likely th«t the aheath drew will be accepted as it is impossible for the wearer to dance, and the Hindu dresses will certainly have to be modified before they are accepted. Women of today «njoy far greater freedom in the matter of ■ fashion than they did even a vt *8f0' and w.!11 never wear any drew that hampers their movements. It wai m 1910-11 that the sheath dress reached its zenith. It cannot be reiterated too often that it is the straight frock camouflaged with draperies that will be on the crest of the wave this autumn.