FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 85, 20 October 1928, Page 14

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially Written for "The Post.") LONDON, 31st August. Fashions in London are rather in a state of flux, and with tho exception of early suits and coats, the shops are not attempting to anticipate tho modes of the coming season. The social world is still absent shooting, fishing, or yachting, and the exclusive dressmakers are busy gathering inspiration from tho early trade shows in Paris. Dcauville has become very important from the fashion point of view: so many of tho new ideas are tried out there, and m3r colleague, who has spent a few days • gathering impressions, writes me of many of the advance fashi ions that have already appeared, especially in tho evening in tho exclusive baccarat rooms of the casino. Kemembering Deauville before tho war—which almost sounds like a generation ago —as a simple seaside town for French families and a sprinkling of European visitors—it is hard to recognise the exotic resort this has become, for new it is one of the most luxurious as well as one of the most expensive spots in the world. Undoubtedly the evening modes are going to show a great elaboration, both of line and decoration. This will usually appear below the waist, for the general tendency is to make the oodice cling to the-figure, and this applies to many day dresses and coats, as well, as evening models. Tho dipping lino at the back is con-" tinned-, but with greater elaboration, the sweep round from the side to the back being broken by dipping panels and double flounces. Already chiffon frocks have appeared with swinging points nearly reaching the ground in front as well as tho back, so we can safely rele-

gate knees to the limbo of the unseen once more. The average woman prefers a formal mode for evening—always providing it does not make her.look older, liacks, therefore, will, still be the. centre of interest, but tho bustle . bow .is likely to be replaced by long graceful panels, some of which threaten to trail on the ground before the season is well advanced. , ...'■;.'■ I have chosen a very new design to sketch for you ..which embodies the | last-minute idea. This model has been made in both taffeta and-lace. I have drawn it in lace,-which I feel appeals more generally than taffeta. In each instance the clou of. the design is the long panel at the back and the contrasting chiffon that outlines the decollete. When made in lace tho -flounces are threaded with horsehair on the edge to preserve tlie f bouffant outline. Brown.as'an evening colour is one of tho newest notions, and this frock in string-coloured lace, with brown chiffon at the decollete, and golden brown vel-

"Daily Mirror" rnoto.

vet at the waist, represents the last word in chic. Coloured satin or crepe do chine slippers to match the gown have become an outstanding .fashion amongst elegantes. Another vogue is the wearing of sharply-contrasting slippers, such as jade green with a white or beige frock, scarlet with white or black, sapphire blue with pale blue, or orange with pale yellow, and it rather looks as though the economical one pair of slippers to suit many gowns is a thing of the past. There is also a distinct tendency to wear bright contrasting shoes with liglit-cojoiired frocks in !the daytime, but t)iu'.smartest-'women remain faithful to the shoe,.of white antelope with strappings of ■ brown perforated calf. This is a -very safe tip -for you when you prepare to 'gather your summer outfits. . ■■■'.•': ' '"■■ ■ ' : With the return to more feminine modes the teagown has onci; more been elevated to a position of formality, and many "lovely models are being prepared for the coming season, when the tea hour, or cocktail hour, as it often becomes, is likely to be. a Popular i'onu

of informal entertainment. These gowns —sometimes in floral chiffons, in lace and plain "chiffons, and in velvet—allow for a wealth of originality in design and colouring, for the hostess can bo as decorative and exotic as she pleases at these happy-go-lucky gatherings. I have .just been shown some lovely now models designed for a young South American matron. One in flowered chiffon clung to tho figure like an 1880 coat, outlining the hips with a sweep downward at the back. The.shaped flounce-skirt was raised in front, getting longer at the back and spreading out like a peacock train. This shaped flounce was repeated on the sleeves, which were elose-fiUing_ to the elbow, and again as a collar giving a cape-like effect. In lovely orchid shadings over a faint pink chiffon slip, it was the most alluring garment that the heart of woman could desire. Women generally .will welcome the return of lace on lingerie. One always felt that our intimate little garments were robbed of half their charm when lace was banished from their make-up. Now all sorts of fantastic -effects are given with lace —in fact, some of the evening "undies" become a scrap of chiffon or crepe do chine surrounded by lace! A lovely nightie of apricot satin had a shaped border of lace let into the hem, with the asymmetric idea carried out at the neck by having one shoulder-strap of ribbon and the lace slanting up over the other shoulder. Some frivolous little evening "panties" had a shamrock of flesh pink crepe de chine in the centre surrounded by a deep crcme lace, looking, when laid, out flat, rather like 'an outsize handkerchief/ While an evening combination m deep dyed lace just had a pointed girdle of white crepe de chine decorated with hemstitching—the rest lace. RUTH SIBLEY.