FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 14

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially written for "The Post." LONDON, Gth April. This certainly might be called the season of unrest. Everyone is going or coming, for wo are in the midst of the Easter vacation, and for once the most confirmed grumbler has no possible caifse to complain of the weather; it is simply gorgeous. How beautiful London is in spring, with all the parks and squares a blaze of gorgeous greens, and daffodils and narcissus sprinkling the grassy slopes. Even the jaded Londoner is thrilled to enthusiastic appreciation of the city lie usually takes for granted. Dame Fashion is ready to match her colours with those of Mother Nature, .and this first holiday of the year has launched innumerable new suits and ensembles in every known colour, although I think the chief favourite after the many shades' of blue is green, and then yellow. • Shopping during the past week has been a hectic performance, and it would bo interesting to know.just how. many pairs of silk stockings, gloves, bags, and'hanclkerehiefs were sold. Eas-

tcr always seems to call for much pro-1 paration in the way of clothes, and especially the very necessary accessories. ■ After the hat and dress are chosen, shoes, stockings, and glovos become the most important accessories, and simplicity is their outstanding characteristic. Plain kid or suede is first choice for shoes. Sometimes ornamented with discreet strapping or applique of lizard skin in the same shade as the kid. Just now tho pump is quite the smartest shape for shoes, and.for daytime wear is. usually without, even a buckle. 1 .For those who feel the need of more support a single.strap is the most correct wear) but the low-cut lace shoes of last season seem to have died .a sudr den death. The colour of the shoes 5s as discreet as their cut. Black is -worn with black and white, and with any of the printed' fabrics that have black introduced in their colouring. Our love of bcigo kid shoes with stockingsi to match is a fashion, that dies hard. One is constantly told that it is finished and yet a very eminent shoo specialist told me recently that there were more orders given in tho new honey shades than in any other. With the many bluo or blue and white dresses that are appearing everywhere blue kid shoes are generally chosen, and these look well with stockings of beige, honey, or the many tones of grey—especially a new pigeon grey that has more than a hint of mauve. The-lizard and snake skin shoes are still popular, and seem to call for a bag -to match. This, I might add, is the hallmark of carefully-chosen accessories to match one's bag to one's shoes. Exclusive shoo makers are already showing bags that arc specially made to match their newest shoes, while cv.oning bags of gold or silver kid may be ornamented with' geometrical inlays of black or some, delicate colour to match a dainty, evening sandal. . All the sunburn shades of stockings aw. reappearing, and although there are still quite a number of the dark browns and ftrcys worn by ultra-smart women, not oven our awful winter would make us take to black. Alas, for the poor manufacturers who prepared for tho expected revival of "black stockings," are left lamenting with many hundreds of pairs languishing on their shelves. The handkerchief has assumed a vast importance in this season's mode; in fact, it is a' serious rival to the scarf for premier position. The large silk square in vivid colourings and sometimes startling design is used to drape the neck, shoulders, and tie gipsy fashion round the hips. The slightly smaller- one to match the scarf is tucked in the coat pocket with a long end hanging gracefully outside, while, lingerie hankies are used for collars and cuffs of morning frocks of crepe. Tho large chiffon handkerchief with huge monogram embroidered in one corner or with a wide border of lace is a delightfully feminine trifle which is becoming especially popular for evening. Sometimes this matches the frock, and sometimes it is a vivid contrast; but it must be "carried" with a distinctive air. Fancy gloves still persist—at least in the shops, so I suppose they are worn —but the really well-dressed women remain faithful to perfectly, plain, suede. In the morning with a tailor-made and neat stout shoes, her gloves may bo of yellow washing chamois leather, just the slip-on kind without buttons. With an ensemble either for morning or afternoon, she chooses gloves of a delicate suede to match her stockings. These, too, are made without buttons,