FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 18 June 1927, Page 12

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially written for "Tho Post.") LOJsDOX, 2nd May. I havo just been talking to a charming woman who has recently been appointed to the position, "Fashion Adviser," in one of the big stores. Being thoroughly in agreement with her point of view, I must tol. you some of the maxims which she impresses on her clients. Tbo best-dressed woman is the woman whoso clothes you do not notice at all, or at least you notico no particular details. Afl these shoi.ld bc!so perfectly blended as to givo an effect of complete harmony. The frock is only tho foundation, nnd should be muted to tho aecesHorics. It is only a very few years ninuo tho dross itself was tho important thing. Now it

becomes a background upon which to work. Blended colours in hat, shoes, and hose, gloves and bag^.should create an ensemble in which the woman's best features are accentuated, bcr worst disguised, and out of which her personality emerges. It is usually the woman of thirty or over who seekß the help of tho "fashion' adviser," for tho younger.woman is apt to be just a shade too confident in her style to permit criticism of her over elaborato frock or rakish hat.

On reviewing my impressions I realised how well this lady herself had justified tho "fashion adviser," for although I had gone with tho fixed intention of observing her choico of dress, I fouud myself unable to recall a single item. The mental picture I had carried away was of her vivid face unadorned with make up, flashing smile, andperfectly groomed head: Not even an idea of tho colour of. her dress or shoes. .

I think this explains why women who have a reputation for" exquisite taste so often chose cither black :or white, and why magpie .effects are always in demand.

At the Embassy Club tho other eveniiig I saw a beautiful fair woman with hor debutante daughter, both wearing white ' chiffon evening dresses, and each looking lovely, although the daughter had very dark hair. Ono of ,onr loveliest young duchesses had a black lace frock under her gorgeous chinchilla wrap, while another picturesque woman wore a clinging black velvet gown with a diamond shoulder strap and fob pinned on the corsage. London is a veritable "Flow'erland\' at tho moment, parks, kerbstones, and florists' windows • all abloom, and every woman ono meets \" *h° morniaß is carryuig a bunch of daffodils, anemones, •or tulips—or the shyer primroses and violets. Ono simply cannot resist them.

There is a now colour in hosiery and shoes which is as attractive as its name "Ashes of Lilac." This is really a pretty greyisli mauve, and a real change after the eternal beigo which women persist in wearing in spito of tho superhuman efforts of tho designers to banish it.

Whilo talking of flowors I am reminded that the natural flower button-holo has come into its own again.. For the moment the more sophisticated button-

hole of suedefelt or silk is rejected for the fragrant 'bunch of violets, the exotic white gardenias, and, of course, roses in every lovely colour, particularly red to match the: cheery little red hats -which are' so popular at the moment. ■. . • .: , , Bed lilac sems to be a, firm favourite : again this season.v There is anew kind of lace that shines like eire ribbon, and which" they, describe as waxed lace. I have Been it Jn many colours, but I think it is most attractive in red or black. Of course, it is only worn in the evening when the artificial light catches the sheen. .:.'.,.' At the opening,of .th(vpalatial Carlton Theatre last week' I'sdw-a-lovely

Spanish-looking girl in ono of theso red lace frocks. With it she was wearing a very original cloak of shot red nnd gold lame. This had ft triangular panel at> tho back which was outlined by ft design in red ribbon velvet, nnd tho lining was like- patchwork of diamondshnped pieces of red nnd gold cropo do. chine. Her turban heail-ilrfisn of oliot lame anil long gold earrings gttvo her an almost Knstern nir of magnificence. All the evening wraps striko tho dimiptuous note, for if not mado of lanio, they aro decorated- with womierfiii cm-' broideries, or tho velvet coats or cloaks are lavishly trimmed with fur. Circulnr enpes are creeping into fuvour, aiid I should not at all wonder if. they nro the harbinger* of a rovlvni of this pictiiroiiqiio though unpractical wrap. I miw oiio in fln« blue, quito ihn simplest garment I havo Keen thin m-u----son, entirely depending on its exquisite cut lor dfntlnction. Decorated „,,|r With circular strapping, it )„„] ft |i,,y lipstnnding col) flr that lied with narrow tii« of ltn oyvn jimlerln! Oho otlicr I Haw wnx R | v « n », comJilotoly rlifferent effect by „)„, Wfiy iv , nmnnoniilii wore h. fi )l0 , w] ul f wl ,{ Jip in fwnt nn.l ernowo'l it over v/lUi her ImiKMo t| l(l .t U v/rappe.l, tmmA her h.i.3 anrt blouserl above. Madamo inblßto'l tl,ftt (.ills wan t,h,i c,,nm;t v/ay la "wry" a. oapfl t]lh „, '** tvlnali / linvo s<w> «ijc.;iigßfo|)y «arri«<l out in ma,,y |,| M k maUsrlitn f, ,', 800^118 er4 pe <p volvefc Trim,, v witj, ermine in W |*iU f or b<eS K o / [ „,£ m«y cccMiaua and will ,<,„., \ $ tt % r purpose for fay or P)VI>M J,, ltT ',' t l I'HV the vojst which a ) Jovv9 t l,o fullness 1.0 bloiifu; over. — nwn siblby.