Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 35, 9 August 1930, Page 19

Paris in the Mirror

Written for "The Post" by Germaine.

necessai-y for tho enactment of tho scene. Such a ono is tho promenade in tho Bois de Boulogne, betwixt teatimo and dinner time. And rather nearer tho latter, when the Alle de Longchamps becomes transformed from its usual appearance, which is much the same as that of the other avenues, to a stage for an opon-air play—per-

haps it would be, bettor described as a pageant—which can, only bo compared with Sunday morning'church parade in Hyde Park, or with what one imagines used to take .place, in, the. famous Peacock Alley of the Waldorf -Astoria. Here, for an hour or so, may be seen what, oddly enough, is,generally called ''all Paris," whetting its appetite and its imagination. There is. a soft light through the trees, a quiet coolness, a lull which is appropriate to the close of day. The ' stage is ready. The people beginning to assemble. A CURIOUS PERFORMANCE. Some- arrive at this conference of personality and apparel in sleek motorcars, and look ion from ■ them, at the curve as. if from royal boxes, others take up their' positions on tho iron chairs. It is a curious performance at which, everyono is actor or spectator. The lookers-on; rise casually at intervals from their chairs, or emerge from their motor-cars, and become, for a while, the-promenaders. At this outdoor club you seethe smartest clothes, the. smartest motor-cars, ' tho. most, varied types—archdukes,' women who suggest Hollywood, cycling youths, in woolly jerseys, people saluting and scrutinising each other as 'they pass. And all the innovations and'resurrections of fashion are to ,bo seou at this hour. . . A WORD ABOUT THE NEW FASHIONS. Long ankle-length skirts are now definitely the ''thing 5' for evening wear. ]Tull picture skirts to tho ankles and tight, well-fitted bodices to tho natural waistline, are perfect for young girls and slim figures. There are at' least three different styles of evening dresses that will bo fashionable this season among those who follow Paris fashions: Ono has a flounced skirt and is made of soft materials such as plain or patterned chiffon, net, or lace. Tho second has a long flowing skirt with a train (these dresses are usually made of satin, crepe, and crepe de chine). Tho third type of eveniug. gown has voluminous panels and draperies which sweep out and around'the wearer as she walks or dances. ... All these various evening dresses have one thing in common—they fit very closely round tho hips and waist. The "Princess" line is still with us, but it has moved much higher up. Instead of starting from the normal waistline and fitting almost skin-tight, as it did last season, now it fits almost skin-tight from three or four inches above the waist to the hip-line. SPRING' S, COLOURS. Spring's colours this season are most attractive. Thero are -tones of tho' fashionable colours-that will suit almost any typo of womanhood, vivid yet delicate shades of tawny orange-red or yellow, the golden-brown; and quiet shades of fawn. Greens are seen in an enormous variety of shades, many of them more or less of the turquoise order. The fainter pinks of an English wild rose and a new white, oysterwhite, will all be favourites. Fashion seems to have no decided predilection for any colour this year in materials. Women are offered the whole range, and it is left to their good taste to choose something that suits. They will even be allowed to blend colours judiciously, but this has to bo done with the eye of an artist, so unless you, reader, are completely sure of yourself you had better have your scarf, for example, to match, rather than to make it a daring foil. " . THE ENSEMBLE. The "ensemble," itoo, is still allimportant. This, year it, assumes as many aspects as ingenuity can give it. You may wear a. short jacket or a three-quarter one with a frock, or you may dispense with the jacket and have a capo. If you prefer a blouso and skirt, then by all means havo them, and wear a coat with them. Hero is a suggestion for all those occasions when tweeds may suitably be worn. As these suits are usually belted, a- smart little belt effect oil tho coat can bo repeated on the skirt boneath, but instead of being at tho normal waist it is placed.on tho hips. Most'women will bo delighted with the new materials which have been planned for them for sports wear this year, especially with the tweedy and .crepe fabrics. . These are, light, beautifully flexible, and although more or less loosely woven, are comparatively unstretchable. The patterns, too, are novel,, and colourings cover a wide range and are deliciously spring-like. CONCERNING FINGER NAILS. The pink and ruby varnish which fashionable women like to ornament the tips of their fingers with is still in fashion. But there is another'fashion which is extremely striking, a mother-o'-pearl varnish. And then there are nails which are being' varnished with silver and gold," Snger-nalls paiu'cil with glittering gold 'and glittering silver. The result is, of course, that women who go in for this kind of thing do it at the cost of being looked upon as eccentric, if not rather odd, by their more sensible ■ friends.