PARIS IN THE MIRROR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 15

PARIS IN THE MIRROR

(By "Germaine.")

(Written for "The Post")

PAEIS, 30tii November. Autumn is waning to tho winter days, and the year has almost spent its vital forces. It is a dying thing, and yet how gallantly it dies! It has wept enough in its short life, .clouds have oppressed it, and the rain has dimmed much of the glory of the youth and vigour of its summertime, but, dying, it flaunts its colours to the sky. Hiw rich in colour are the^> gardens and tho Boulevards of the city in theso autumn days. The trees are running into colours that strike almost every no.to in the realms of russet, palest yellow, and redidsh brown. The streets are crowded, and one* sees people of all nationalities. But it seems to me that

the English predominate, and especially are' English .girls in the majority. They come to Paris to finish their education. Some of them learn French, some learn how to dress, others how to paint, a few there are who live in the mansardes of the Quartier Latin, and these last are apt to become somewhat Bohemian. Few learn to think about thingß, though in a deep and wide way. Those who do soon get thrilled with the opportunities Paris offers them. They can learn so much from tho stores of beauty which the city holds. It is not only the Rue de la Paix with its drossmakers, its milliners, its jewellers, which can give them finish. It is not only the Musees, tho Opera, the Comedie Francaise, and the Sorbonne which teaches them to love beauty. It is the life and the atmosphere all round them which teaches them how to think, how to choose. One sees many English girls in Paris. Some of them try to make themselves what they think is Parisian. Their heels grow higher and higher, their complexions rosy, ochre, or lavender according to their tastes. They rouge their lips, brighten their hair, blacken their eyes until they look sticky, and adopt a mannequin wriggle. They like to . sit in cafes and smoke cigarettes. They dance at Bullier, at the Bal Tabarin, and at Olympia. In fact, they become very "Continental"—so "Continental" that the other sido of the Channel makes them shiver. THE "SLIM" GIRL IS SAFE. One talks so much about clothes, spends so much time and money on them, treats them so seriously that really one ought to wear them better. The slim girl is safe. She has never looked more attractive than she does today if Bhe has any taste and a little

money. But the mature woman, young still, but matronly! That is where the trouble comes in. She cannot disguise the fuller lines, and if she shows them the "little" dress won't suit her. But there is hope for her, thank goodness! There are the draped dresses falling in graceful folds which hide contours apt to bo too rojidelette. Even side panels and flounces help, and as for the new "spiral" movement— why it's a blessing for some women. We shall soon be having the new fashions once more. And I shall have to sit for hours and hours day after day for weeks and weeks to sco them. I shall sit with tho buyers and with a pocket book and pencil I shall make the notes which I will certainly hand on to you. Headers I shall gaze entranced as the wonderful new materials and the marvellous dresses. Some of them will be so wonderful that every boholder will know in their innermost souls that no one but a mannequin trained to the job can wear them as they should be worn. They will be perfectly wonderful in material and design. This much I can tell you in 'advance. And another thing I have heard whispered is that the couturiers have all gone East for their inspirations. They are using Eastern colours and Eastern designs. Not that tho Oriental fashions will completely fill the picture. . No, the Paris couturiers ■ have an innate sense of the fitness of things. They know just where and how to bring East and West together. And we shall presently see some perfectly charming frocks and costumes designed by them. Our business will be to learn how to wear them. In the meantime, readers, I should advise you if it is necessary, and you want to wear the new dresses well, to begin a course of dieting. Leave off pastries, too much butter, highly flavoured food, in fact, eat as little as possible, just enough to keep well and strong. You must be slim at any cost. If faut souffrir pur etro belle. OF COLOURS AND TRIMMINGS. Brown, which has been so much in view this season, will now have to take a back seat. It is not to be worn any more. Green and blue, grey and bicge are the newest colours. Eastern reds, yellows, and a knowing touch-of black here and there will go to swell the jewel-like richness which will make a part of the now drosses. Trimmings are to be queer. It is the business'of trimmings to bo so, either that or quaint, never commonplace. For evening wear beaded crepe dresses look_ better than any. Geranium and orchid velvets are also successful, but some of use are beginning to loathe tho sight of silver tissue. It is one of the most over-rated materials ever known. It neither drapes well nor hangs well. |It is hard in appearance if not in texture. It is no help to a tired face, and it makes young faces look old. FASHION HINTS. "Very attractive are the newest jumpers in wool with a long "V" shaped decolletage, a jaunty little breast pocket

at the left side, and long sleeves. They are to be had in sand> beige, and mastic shading. Tl^ey provide also protective and picturesque completion for an odd skirt. The outstanding feature of most of the tailor-mades and sports drosses, coats and ensembles is'the narrow belt of leather or of suede. These belts accentuate the slightly raised waistline or, in some advanced models, indicate the normal waistline. Most attractive are they in scarlet, green, and blue shades. And they are also seen in bright purple and in.gold and silver silvered suede. Chiffon scarves with dark grey borders on the long sides have centres of bright flowers in tropical colours. When they arc spread out the flowers appear to bo part of the atmosphere, for tho background is of pale, cloudlike colouring which makes these scarves adaptable for wear with almost any colour. A garniture for an evening gown is formed of a long flexible ostrich plume with the addition of a graceful trailing motif of small flowers all in the most delicate colours.