FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 14

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(Specially written for "Tho Post.")

21st .December.

The social life in London seems to consist of weddings by day and dances by night. Barely has December been the chosen month for so many important weddings! St. Margaret's. Westminster, and the Abbey have been the scenes of bridal pageants every day this week. With so many people in town for final Christmas shopping, dancing seems tho most popular way of winding up the'day. Gay dinner-dances and 'charity, balls have a specially festivo air, aiid the friendly spirit abroad at this season of the year prevents even the most Scrooge-like person dwelling on incomc^tax arrears and sueh-like unpleasant topics. . ■ Evening frocks, are lovely, their variety 'is endless, materials gorgeous, 'and their latest development of-long trailing slyirts is a proof that exaggerated simplicity of evening'mode '(that little black rag of post-war 'days) is over.. Women who' have wealth and position are once more' wearing , evening clothes that prove their possession of both, andthoso'who have neither are 'endeavouring to create an appearance of opulence by chosiiig elaborate gowns for -evening' wherever ■ possible.

Tho backs of'evening dresses arc becoming more and more trimmed, in fact they have a growing tendency to become brick to front, for some are very ■ elaborate behind, and quite plain in front. ' •i. .

I think tho one 1 have sketched a partiHuiarly pretty model, the graceful draping- on- bodice and skirt being in-

finitely. becoming to an average slim figure, and in black velvet with diamond" and pearl -trimming it is the essence of charming elegance.-

- Some of the very-low-cut bodices have a huge butterfly bow with; long ends stuck in the middle of the back between the shoiVders", and some wear the threerstrand necklaces reversed—the clasp in front and the strings of jewels cascading down the back. ' ■ ■ .- Then there is the draped sheath-like gown that is drawn.into- a huge bow or: ponft at the back' with ends that :o£tt!ii -trail-, tho .ground: like niiniaturq grains. • . :. .;■•., ; ~,Whitc_' frocks -are always, , charming, and. the-fashious this, season .seem particularly suited to that virginal gown. White panne is particularly lovely when fashioned into a tight-fitting bodice with a full gathered skirt reaching just below.the knees in the.front and drooping to,the ankles at the sides and back, with a-scalloped hem, the-lifted front showing, several .inches of "petticoat" of lace ;or, tulle 'frills. , .. ■ ;

The .tulle^ frocks are ■ bewitching—at tho, ibeginningr . •: of : tho' evening-—alas, thcii .wearing, qualities make, them terribly expensive, : for by the .end of a ; dance.they have.all :the appearance of faded lilies.- ■*.■.■,...■;,' ; ..-. .

Many .of. the lovely 'cloaks are .white, luxurious erihine,, or the -move homely rabbit, white; a,nd gold . brocade and white..ring' volve.t. ■ Collars of fin 1 are enormous; and;.form; a soft frame for the face, and sleeves are. voluminous and often smocked.'

■ A lpvely white,.: ring velvet■• had smooked shoulders and a long.cape-like drapery at the back. The collar, deep

cuffs, and edge of the drapery being soft brown sable.

The fan has suddenly leapt into the limelight. At a night club recently moTe than half the women were carrying fans. It must be admitted that few knew how to manage them, for as a weapon of attack, tho fan has been out of fashion for many 'years.

But it will come, for, as a man remarked: "Not only a revival of feminine, fashion —1 can see the feminine wiles coming along, too."

Shops are devoting much space to fans of all sizes, and a recent bride numbered four amongst "her wedding presents. Crepe do chine shoes are the latest fad of the ultra-fashionable. They look rather like fine suede, and are.generally made to match the wearer's dress. Pale pink gloves witli pale pink feathers on the cuffs have also appeared in restaurants. 1 Others are shielded with littlo black velvet spots, each containing a paste diamond.

Call it be that we arc in for a revival of long gloves for the evening! One of the most famous glove makers of Paris is showing them, some of which reach above the elbow! One' shudders to think of the cleaning bills.

Evening dresses held up by one shoulder strap which made their appearance in Paris not long ago arc now being worn in London. This fashion, together with the shoulder straps no wider than a shoe lace, appeals tv men —especially when shoulders are lovely—because it does away \vi_th the. display of many coloured ribbons which so often spoils the appearance oh': a really well-dressed woman. . Commenting on one smart woman'who showed these ribbons protruding beneath a bla<ik shoulder strap, my friend remarks: "R.S.V.P."—then she whispered: "Ribbons Showing Very Plainly."

The newest evening scarf is a lovely thing which makes for youth and beauty. A long length of tulle or chiffon, with diamante- embroidery on the ends, or handsome tassels. .

This scarf is thrown carelessly round the neck with one end falling in front over tho left shoulder and tho other down the back. It is the most flattering thing imaginable, for a double' chin vanishes beneath its fragile folds, while it restores a youthful look to the neck that has grown too thin.

One of those lovely scarves in flesh pink tulle had black, chenille lozenges and paste, embroidery, "and was worn with an evening frock of black ring velvet with a diamond embroidered pink chiffon bodice:, result—enchanting loveliness. ' EUTH SIBLEY.