London Fashion Notes Specially Written far "The Post."

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 19

London Fashion Notes Specially Written far "The Post."

23rd January. Glancing backward over the past few years, nothing is amazing aa the changed attitude of public opinion towards the modern woman's passion for making up her face. But these are competitive days when our faces may be our fortune, and certainly they have brought foi-tun'es to hundreds of beauty specialists and manufacturers of cosmetics and perfume. An expert in one of the large London stores gave me some intensely interesting information on the,- amazing growth of the sale of cosmetics, first remarking that for every lip-stick sold in London ten years ago fifteen hundred are sold now! Twenty years ago, he continued, we had one type of lip-stick in the whole store, and that, was white. Now we havo four hundred varieties in eight different shades. Twenty years ago a woman buying rouge called it "pink powder" and hid it hurriedly in her bag beforo anyone saw what 'it was. Ttfn years ago she

was still shy when asking directly for rouge, but no longer ashamed. Today, she will take five or six boxes openly to the window to bo sure of tho colour. Grandmothers and .granddaughters often buy their rouge and lip-stick together, and a girl will probably consult her nance on the choice of bridal cosmetics. It is difficult to believe that only ten years ago eye-lash cosmetics and nail polish could only be obtained in a chemist's shop: Now this one London store sometimes sells as many as five hundred bottles of nail enamel in one day.

To-day the woman who disdains to add to her face what Nature forgot to provide is a noticeable exception, while in America —where they never do things by halves —one feels positively unclothed if one faces the public without more than a. suspicion of make-lip to supply the finishing touches of one's toilette. This highly sophisticated age in which we live, the clothes we wear, the modern lighting and decoration all demand the accentuation of beauty. Pretty features will often go unnoticed if lack of colour has given a faded appearance, and just as a bare arm is prettier veiled, so a lovely skin is enhanced by a line dusting of powder. Even the prettiest face will react to a little make-up with an added sparkle, while a plain face can be given distinction by carefully accentuating some good features. So do not be afraid to make up, but do choose your cosmetics carefully, using them lightly as finishing touches rather than as smothering disguises. It seems a far cry from modern makeup to such an old-fashioned garment as the petticoat, but according to the advance fashion notes I have before me sent out by Seville, of Hanover square, petticoats are to be the sensational revival of the coining season. Too bad to add extra garments to our wardrobe, when we are all trying to economise, but in spite of the petticoat being hailed' as "unhealthy," 1 have a horrid suspicion it will succeed. Short skirts were described as "scandalous" when they first appeared, but we all remember to what lengths of abbreviation they went. When Reville introduced the anklelength skirt at Ascot in 1927 every one denounced them as "unpractical," but they have become fashionable for all important occasions.' Now, the House of Reville—dressmakers to Her Majesty the Queen, and several other Royal ladies—have dressed Mr. C. B. Coehrane's 1931 Revue, and every evening gown .will have its exquisitely dainty petticoat of foamy white Devonshire net. . This petticoat revival seems to be the logical outcome of the increased popularity of lace, and bo^Ji are expressions of the femininity which dominates the mode. Beautiful specimens of Nottingham lace, are being prepared for tiro coming season, and gowns for the a'fterno.ou will be trimmed with lace, while the lace blouse—already an established favourite—"will be much worn with the tailored suits designed for spring days. Lace in ivory white and delicate pastel colourings is one of the smartest fabrics at the moment for evening wear, and laf.e'handkerchiefs, lace fans, and lace-trlmmed "undies" all have a prominent place in the newest modes. Sleeves are showing a great deal of variety: pouffs at elbow, from the elbow to the wrist, and at the wrist, fancy cuffs, frills, and newest of all, the revived dolman or magyar sleeve. I have sketched a very new model in black satin and white crepe—which expresses this new or revived mode most successfully—and shows not only tho. new sleeve effect, but the draped neckline which graces most of the spring models. Drapery at the neck or waist is inifinitely becoming, especially to very" full or very slim figures. Tailor-made suits, which have always been considered 'the typical Englishwoman's costume,, will bo given a prominent place in the new modes, and tho blouse —which was at first eyed with much disfavour—is already an accepted fart. The short over-blouse is the most satisfactory development of the übiquitous .imuppr. Tt is the tuck-in with its troublesome attachments at the waist that will be the most unpopular with busy women. . , RUTH SIBLEY. . ;--'- • \ ■ ■■