London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 92, 19 April 1930, Page 15

London Fashion Notes

(Specially written for "The Post.") LONDON, 28th February. London dressmakers are busily preparing for the spring offensive, and already I have received many cards for tho opening-dress parades which start next wc«K It will be'interesting to know how many of the Paris dress extravagances have been adopted by the London experts, %vho, while seeking novelty, realise that the sensations which attract the'buyer-from lowa will not dsually appealto the .woman with an exquisite taste* in dress. One thing is certain, last' year's frocks will all have to have the hems let down, for even the street dresses are so decidedly, longer that already one notices an ultra-short skirt as something all wrong. The trouble' is when "one's'dress has hatl the French -idea of ending with a selvedge I Coats arc easier to'inanage, for, being worn all lengths, one that was considered full length last year can be worn with an oxtra long skirt, and pretend it

is meant to be a three-quarter or seveneighths one. If you cannot'let down the hem of a chiffou frock add a deep beitho or scarf c cape, and "a deep-pleated valance frill on the end of the skirt to bring it up to date. , i Lace dresses present tho least difficulty, because-they are usually in tiers, and"can be given a flounced basque or bolero. The bolero .rivals the cape as the i "piece de resistance" of the Paris shows. It is on nearly every frock in I

some form "or* another, and:has been adapted / for - morning,, afternoon, and evening wear with success. It has much.to recommend it as. an extra wrap when "forming a coatee over an evening dress, but of ten it is sleeveless or merely'simulated.by ■ deep folds or flounces on the bodice. If it dips' a little at the back and hangs, nearly-level with .the hips it is very helpful to the figure that is not too perfect. The most original bolero is that worn "■with .'.a one-piece tiveed morning dress and reminds one of an Eton jacket. -1 The little modeL'l'ha've sketched is in,

Wedgewood blue.and wiiite tweed, and the lingerie touch is ■ given by a turndown collar yestie of soft white, pique. Tho valance frill on the skirt of the dress is very popular on many dresses, and may come from a straight line just above the knees or a deep yoke that ends in long points.'. ■ .Tho little. Eton, bolero of niatching tweed has a deeper blue edging rovers, and the same blue is used for pipings and belt on the dress. There is a great deal of this Wedge; wood blue amongst the new materials. It is not the darkest.Wedgewood associated with the cheaper china, but the mid-way tone. This, with white spots and white lingei'io touches, will make some of -.tho daintiest spring suits. The spotted materials which arc absolutely charming have already been taken up by the. cheaper shops, and I fear we shall see too many of them before the season, closes. At tho present time a pleated skirt with cardigan coat and soft satin shirt in blue and white, red and white, green and white, and, of course, black and white —the white being tiny spots —are amongst the most attractive little frocks to be seen. Another pretty idea for spotted materials is .a turndown collar of pale pink linen" with black spots on a navy or black woollen or crepo frock, worn with a dark hat to 'match that is turned off the face and trimmed with the same spotted linen.' The ojjtimistic hope that spring sunshine -will soon be with: us brings a longing for brighter clothes. ■ A woman may pretend that her sole object in life is to make-herself look chic, but really she always strives to combine smartness With a youthful appearance. ■ Smart clothes have been almost sombre of late years; indeed, Paris still considers all black, the acme of -perfection. But pastel colours are so youth-giving that to meet a blue-eyed woman who usually wnars black completely attired in.pastel blue is to find her looking so much younger, that you hardly recognise her. There will be many of these delicate coloured ensembles1 this season. ■ Oije of the loveliest I .have seen -already had a coat of sunshine yellow cloth with long roll-collar and cuffs of black Astrakhan worn over a simple little frock of yellow crepe do. chine' spotted with black. ■■■'••■. ■■' ■; ■ This type of ensemble,.distinctive but unexaggeratcd, is one which many smart women.will wear in the coming months. ■ ' ■ ' I have also seen a charming new sports model, which suggests many possibilities for introducing colour into informal, clothes. The skirt was of plain' green fine cloth worn with a soft white: silk shirt. Over this was"a straight-cut collarless coat of green, white and.black striped cravat silk. The same silk forming a folded hip yoke and neck tie. '.. A complete suit of this cravat silk is shown as a novelty. lv brown with a design of,beige woven in, ft had a soft frilled .shirt of pastel, beige satin, and was shown with dark brown stockings and shoes, and a fine brown straw hat that was turned off the face.with the same silk as the suit. Very attractive for smart afternoon wear, and light and unerushable to p.nt under a warm coat when the cold weather greets you. . . .■: BUTH SIBLEY....