FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 15

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially "Written for "Tho Post.")

LONDON, Ist August,

London in August seems to become more of a holiday resort each ' year. The fashionable folk have moved on to Cowes, Deauville, or some small beach resort before migrating to Scotland for the shooting. The crowds one sees about in these sultry days I are composed chiefly of provincial folk and American tourists —many of them in family groups, doing the sights of London. Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London share, the honours of drawing the biggest crowd, in fact, so endless is the stream of visitors to these two historic spots that it has the appearance of a pilgrimage. The weather for the Goodwood Race Meeting started most unprornisingly, so that it became a strictly tailored- affair. Almost every woman seemed to be dressed in navy blue, which was decidedly the most popular colour during the three days' racing. The beautiful Lady Mary Thynne wore a becoming navy blue gown with a raspberry red straw hat and carried a soft leather bag in the same cMightful colour.' This raspberry red is a very fashionable combination with navy blue, and considered much more chic than the erstwhile favourite shade of brilliant scarlet. Scarlet is still tremendously popular with white, and for the very necessary mackintosh it is quite the most cheerful colour to brighten a dull day. One day at Goodwood when the skies were leaden, 75 per cent, of the women had chosen scarlet mackintoshes, and the effect was decidedly good. One I particularly liked was an originally cut scarlet leather coat with a gazelle col,lar and cuffs. This sleek fur is being used_ quite a lot on the early models of light-weight tweed coats, and we are promised whole coats of gazelle, bo cleverly cut as to resemble an exquisitely tailored cloth coat. Truly, the furriers avc wizards these days when one contrasts the bulky heirlooms of fur one used to inherit with the soft

supple almost featherweight fur coats of to-day which tempt ono oven in the summer months.

Whilo on tho subject of fur, the question of tho rovivnl of the muff has caused a good deal of comment in tho world of fashion. Tho furriers, who must bo well iv udvance, liavo shown their belief in the rovival by producing a succession of muff models which are being shown in Paris at tho advance dross shows which aro now being held for overseas trade buyers. Personally, I think their success depends largely on tho type of handbag considered fashionable. Obviously women will not carry a largo handbag and a muff as well, but a small flat pochette can bo slipped insido tho muff with most comforting results. Tho most practical compromise would bo to combine tho handbag and muff, in which case I foresee them being tremendously popular with fur ties to match, for wearing with the sleek tailormn.de suits which are becoming a perfect uniform. Advance information regarding the mid-season and early autumn wear points to black. The classic coat and skirt in black or iron grct suiting, will probably hold pride of place. The surface may vary, but black or nearly black is the fashionable docroe. This worn with gun-metal stockings, a silver fox tie, and a chic little hat in some brilliant colour is the smartest wear for outdoor fuuetions —particularly I early morning in town. I paid a second visit to Gladys Cooper's thcatro to see the now frocks she is wearing made by Molyneux, of Paris. They are exquisitely simple, and what particularly struck me was that they all fasten with a tie bow. Ono in -, delicato shade of dove grey bropo had a doop V-neck with soft slightly upstanding drapery that fastened with a narrow tie bow and ends just below the shoulder that fell to the waist. The skirt being pulled round the figure and fastening on the hip with a similar tie. A pale flesh pink chiffon and lace wrapper was mado to slip on coat-fash-ion, with graceful hanging sleeves and the coat wrapping over and tieing on one hip with a largo chiffon scarf bow. A third in beige crepella was mado with the deep V-neck .and a loose panel falling from the shoulders and caught in to tho waist, the skirt being drawn round tho hips and fastening in front with a soft tie bow. The panel gave the impression of a bolero back and was very effective. Of course Gladys Cooper is so slim and lovely that in spite of all the tragedy she endured during the wholo of this clever play—"The Letter," by Somerset Maughan—she managed to look supremely beautiful in theso simple danty frocks. If our morning clothos show a tendency to become uniform and therefore monotonous, wo certainly allow- our individuality full play in tho evening. Dancing at the Mayfair the other evening I was tremendously struck by the amazing variety of frocks; very long, and above tho knees, very full or a slinky slip, simple fluttery chiffons side by side with gorgeous coat of mail sequins. Tho greatest contrast was presented in a party by one lovely dark girl who wore a frock literally to her heels. This had a short silver slip to just below tho knees covered entirely by a lace overdross that looked priceless. Made with a tight little bodice that finished at the normal waist, and then hung very fully gathered, to the ground. A baud of silver tissue was swathed round her sleek little dark head. 1 ' —BUTH SIBLEY.