London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

(Specially Written for "The Post." LONDON, 23rd May.

Our unusually chilly spring has had the effect of holding back tho earlier types of flowering trees and shrubs, with the result that the present sunshine has produced a riot of colour in the parks and gardens. The lilac, laburnum, rhododendrons, Spanish broom, guelder roses, with the masses ol delicate greens of the early foliage, are making London a very beautiful place. Chestnuts, with their pink and creme "candles,'? spread their shade over grassy siop'es ' that are carpeted | with masses of bluebells, so that all the exotic loveliness of the famous Chelsea Flower Show is rivalled by this flamboyant profusion in its natural settings For the Chelsea Flower ShoV—especially on tho first day—it used to be considered necessary to dress as elaborately as for Ascot or a society wed ding, but not now. It is interesting to notice how really democratic modem fashion ■ is, despite the prevalent taste for luxury and tho fact that women of all classes sp.end more on their clothes than 'ever before.

In the old days a guest at a wedding put on a distinctly wedding garment, and would not have dreamed of appearing in ordinary every day clothes. From the crown of her hat to the tip of her toes, "Sunday best" was written all over her.

To-day, even at tho most formal af fairs, the licence in style is very wide. One will see O uests in tailormades and furs, in chiffon and lace, in flowered

summer frocks, and in sober black. The everyday enser 'le ivill rub shoulders with the more elaborate afternoon style and the looker-on .who seeks for. splen dour, luxury, and ostentation, is often a trifl# disappointed. . Splendour and luxury may be there. but no ostentation. Many of the beautifully dressed women in black or black and white are so subtly luxurious that they do not draw attention for modern elegance lies in its simplicity. j At a recent society wedding one of the loveliest and wealthiest guests wore a simple gown of black georgette trimmed with a wisp of fine white lawn, magnificent pearls, delicate gloyes, a small, droppy, becoming black hat, and a slim, uritrimmed coat of georgette, like the dress. Another girl in coiyiflower blue crepe, exquisitely, cut and .fitted, but perfectly plain with hat and bag to match, and a silver fox fur. -Still'-another; in a black crepo suit, with delicate pink chiffon blouse matching the under-brim of her hat, and a cluster of pale- pink carnations I—the1—the only festive note in the toilette. The conclusion of the who-le matter is that people do not "dress up" for special occasions as they once did. They dress well ahvays. There is no morning slackness, and shabby travelling clothes are not tolerated. . Only in the evening do ■women set aside simple and practical clothes for dresses which look picturesque in cut and colour. N In spite of the tendency for frills and fluff, a well-dressed woman will risk being too plainly dressed at any morning or early afternoon function rather than commit the sartorial sin of appearing over-dressed. It is the small details >that count so much in dress, and the matching craze can be quite a costly form of simplicity if one indulges in too many different colour schemes in the season's wardrobe. • Gloves, shoes, and stockings exactly matching the wrap are, of course, absolutely correct at. the moment, but it is possible to go still further and have your bag and bat made of the same material. At a smart .tea party at the Carlton last week a" very chic woman (wife of a foreign diplomat) wore- an attractive ensemble in navy blue pin spot. The coat was lined with ivory crepe that, matched the blouse, while her bag of navy pin spot had a strap of blue kid to mateli her shoos iind'an ivory clasp, like the buckle of her blouse. Her slio-es were- the fashionable ~' eo-Te-spondent" shoes, in white buckskin and navy kid, and white buckskin gloves, and a droopy navy hat added the final touch of elegance. Another guest—the most perfect type of English blonde beauty —almost spoilt my tea, for I was so fascinated by her perfect features, lovely colouring, and exquisite poise, although only a young bride. She wore an immaculate tailored suit of beige cloth, with gloves, shoes, and stockings that matched exactly. Her bag, of the same material as her suit, was strapped with flamingo red kid, the precise shade of red as her chic beret toque of straw and grosgrain ribbon, and her lip-stick. Our hostess had provided posies for her guests, and luckily one was Composed of carnations in the exact shade of red to complete her ensemble..

Another elegant guest was in black —that expensive black that looks so simple but is oh! ao costly. The only relief being a magnificent blue fox (which is really a beige shade) collar to her crepe coat, with gloves, stockings, iand suede bag to match. The newest bags are mado of the same material as the dress. Sometimes they have huge crystal handles almost as big as the bag itself, or coloured handles, rectangular in shape, in green and pinks of the same consistency as sugar icing, ..;, jewellery and beads a,re as. popular as"'evcrV Tnrquoiae-bin© Ijeing new

this season arid most effective when worn with black, pink or navy blue. Twisted beads of all combinations of colours are as smart with sport and street costumes as the uncut real stones, made up into bracelets, brooches, and necklaces, are by night. Tho "Teddy" necklaco is probably the smartest of all this season. It is a thickly twisted three-strand string of natural red coral, and the fashionable woman feels almost as unclothed without it as without her lip-stick.

RUTH SIBLEY.