FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 14

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially written for "The Post.")

LONDON, 7th December

Less than, a month to Christmas! No wonder tho toy bazaars in the big stores are becoming so crowded. Uacii year they seem to grow; more fascinating— and, believe me, it. is not the children who predominate iii the. crowds round the clockwork trains and electric boats. The very grown-up boys Who linger to watch would dearly like to take one off in a' worker and work it themselves! For myself, the stuffed and woolly animals have an irresistible fascination, and 1 have to restrain myself, from collecting, a menagerie of this sort. '..•.-,

Woman's response to the. urge of gaiety-—tho lighted shops, theatre," and supper parties—is clothes, aud the wise ono choosing gifts for feminine friends selects some of tho fascinating novelties displayed to- tempi, frail daughters of Eve. ".- '■ : " ' : ■ • ■ .

Theatre caps in gilded lace- and jewels, or close-fitting caps of feathers for evening wear, are luxurious extravagances we should all love to receive. The jewelled shoulder strap, with shoe buckles to' match, the headband, necklace and bracelet of .semi-precious stones, the lace-scarf'and tan to match are only a few of the gifts that dazzle the eyes when one is trying Ui (lo some practical and necessary shopping.

Bead necklaces; are unce more (he height of fashion, and the passion for mixing beads is growing." ■ ■ ■

For those who do not'liavi) Id-count the cost, necklaces of -semi-precious stoves .like the topaz, tourmaline, garnet, and crystal," are very. successful* and: many'envious-eyes will bo east on the necklace sent by the Duke of

Westminster to a recent bride, for it consisted of two strings of precious stones, including, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds—quite the last'"word in extravagance. ..'.'• '■ " ■'. ' . .

Gift choosing should bo easy, for the accessories demanded by niodern fashions are so many and varied that the average woman is always in a state of needing just that little thing more.

In spite of all the news to the contrary, wehaye.,not banished the sports' influence from drawing-room clothes, and the jumper and cardigan coat made of luxurious materials are still seen in any smart gathering..

At tea recently 1 saiv-'a- very lovuly society woman in a jumper of gold tinsel woven ,jvitu a small vandyked pattern-"in red;:-witb . this was a coat which, although' mado of. soft mirror velvet in a lovely shade of. brown, was frankly a cardigan. This coatee had a roll collar, reaching to .tlie edge of tlif.' front, and turn-back cuffs madcr of the same material .as ;the'jumper. The skirt, .which was really 'beautiful, had a slim outliue,.h'ad'deep iriuiitled points, one being'an apron ■.front-.

Materials ' are incredibly - lovely ■■•••this season and in many cases proportionately costly, which remark /brings to my mind an extraorditiariiy interesting show held: in a Park lans hotel last week.' Artificial silks we; have.known in the past, and shuddered at, so tint

1 was not tremendously thrilled at the prospect of seeing "Cclanese" models even though they had been fashioned by the master hands of tho great French dressmaking. However, it proved to lie rather a case of "going to scoff and remaining to pray," and to cay I was astonished was to put it extremely mildly. . All the loveliest materials in the daintiest colourings and literally impossible to detect from silks of the most 'expensive kind —a truly amazing achievement i'or British industry. There seems to .be literally nc. end to the possibilities of these Celanose materials; for all the hats, bags, shoes, and umbrellas were made of these .wonderful fabrics, and their latest achievement is velvet, which I hoar is not ready for the public yet, but which was used to fashion two exquisite evening models in the most correct shade of red. .One of the" greatest achievements of this particular material is that it drapes and hangs in the snme gracious lines as: real silk, and tho sketch I am sending is a marvel of intricate workmanshT[) made by Bechoff, of Paris, for the Riviera, in Celanese satin marocain. The original was in a lovely shade of beige with trimming of exquisite. baby lamb a shade deeper. Gloves, stockings, and hat being all the,same attractive 'colouring. Every dressmaking collection this season has sponsored a brown evening gown. lii tulle, lace, or satin, and even in panne velvet, they are original and charming for-the blonde and red-haired woman, but not so successful for brunettes. These are particularly useful when one wishes a frock to do duty for more than one occasion. A caramelitinted lace with a panne velvet coat "to match is a type of dress that will appeal to women who have lo make ' a small dress allowance supply a varied wardrobe. In tlie same way a perfectly cut pale brown satin evening dress becomes a charming dress for bridge or afternoon wear' with a long sleeved coat of georgette, crepe, or gold and brown lame. This making one t'roek do two jobs is a custom that is growing, and a delicate chiffon evening frock that has lost its first, freshness becomes a useful tea gown with a long or short coat of some deeper shaded lace. . :, " . '. —BOTH- SIBLEY.