London Fashion Notes Specially Written for "Tha Post"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1932, Page 7

London Fashion Notes Specially Written for "Tha Post"

LONDOxNT, 6th November,

One is apt to associate November in London with fogs and dark days, but anything more lovely than Hyde Park on Sunday last would bo difficult to imagine. Warm sunshine, blue skies, with the, grass as green as in spring, and the leaves still on the trees, tempted many women to discard their wrap coats and sally forth in allthe glory of pretty woollen frocks with fur ties, tippets,-or'shoulder wraps only.

Never have practical clothes been so attractive' as they are. this year. Formerly,, a- dress that was 'smart enough for town wear was seldom thicker, than-silk or velvet, so that one either froze in winter or had to pull on an. unsightly cardigan to keep out the chill even under a fur coat.

The'woollen dres'of to-day is beautifully cut, decorated with the smartest touches imaginable, and made of the most charming fabrics and colours.

With ■ few exceptions this season woollen .frocks are seen in four colours —black, brown, billiard table .^ green, and brick red. As the shoo windows aro already ablaze with tho" last two colours, and brown is the accepted autumn colour, and there aro no signs of -the diminishing popularity, of -black, there is little to choose between these colours; .■'..-.-..■.■; : ■...■■;. .-' ;, ~ .

Personally I would hesitate to invest in the bright red or green unless a second dress in black or brown could be acquired as \yoJl. One gets tired of any one bright colour, but what is worso —the- rest of the world remembers and tires of it also!

-Ko matter how pujnilai biigh'. eolonih ai c for clay or Cull evening wear, for somi-cvening. occasions black remains (he essence of smartness. !for dining "not dieased," a bridge evening or

cinema party, or any informal evening engagement, the best-dressed women invaiiably appear in. black.

Also.it is a well-known fact that a black afternoon or semi-evening dress seems/less out.of .place than any other

in the presence of "rea v). evening clothes. ■ . .

You have probably-seen in American fashion papers dresses referred to as "Sunday night" frocks. These are attractive gowns more elaborate than afternoon dresses and not so important as a dinner dross, winch the American woman.finds' so useful if she dines out, or serves her own dinner at. a Sunday evening parly, for no self-respecting American, maid will consent to cook dinner on this one evening, in Iho "ivuck. . ■ .'. • . Evening' dress is. seldom worn in London on Sunday evenings, although U is a favourite time for informal gatherings, so tlic "Sunday night" frock is now being shown, as a speciallydesigned garment. . . ' . ; Long' sleeves arid vihklo length skirts are essential, and most of the decoration of the frock lies in the sleeves this season. One I specially liked was made of dark brown chiffon, the deep yoke and slooves being quite transparent." Deep gauntlet, cuffs of heavy brown lace slightly stiffened with horsehair and heavily embroidered with bronze and emerald beads were the only sign of trimming. ..:•-. Another very effective gown of this type was in black chiffon velvet, with a deep yoke and puff sleeves of coffeeuoloured needle-ruii lace. The long tight mitten sleeves of black velvet meeting the lace puff well above the-elbow, giving the dress an almost period charm. Still another in black crepe with deep yo)-.-> and shoulder ■ tips of palest pinkcrepe embroidered with gold " threads and coral beads. The full black crepe sleeves from the pink shoulder tops were drawn into, tight pink embroidered cuffs. .', ■ '■' : ' ' . Sleeves are. very important, in all types of clothes, but the idea of sleeves in evening dresses is one we have not seen for quite a long while. -i'■ Theso may be short straight sleeves cut in one with the bodice, or one or two frills .over the arms. But it is the puff sleeve, large or small,- that gives such a different look" to a simple evening gown. '■. ' I have sketched a model .which I havo seen both in black-and white. In white satin..' it had i-e sleeves and bolero effect of gold sequins, while another .white dress had tha same effect in black sequins, giving a very striking effect. ■.-■•.' - : In black, crepe this gown ..had puff sleeves of silver lace that- fitted into a wide arm-hole band of silver. Another model in' black satin • had large puffs of tulle with tiny', bows of black satin dotted all over them. Velvet is so flattering to women that it needs no recommending; this year it is smart .for suits and afternoon dresses as well as'evening gowns. . In deep jewel shades ruby, emerald, and sapphire' it is seen everywhere for handsome wraps and gowns, although I still-think that black velvet makes the loveliest models. , "'."-. One plain untrirnmed gown of black velvot with medium-cut bodice in front, but very deep, at the back, had two long wide ends depending from the waist that trailed the ground, train fashion. ■■:■■.■'.'.- . On. occasions when the train was tiresome, the ends were crossed- in .the. front and draped over, each shoulder with great effect. , ■ ■:<• ;■ . , This gown also looked very lovely in fuchsia purple velvet, the train ends being lined with a blue purple to match tho.shoes. '■'... ■ •'.".. '; ; Evening shoes continue to match the dress,, and are usually made of satin or dull crepe. ■:■ Tho evening sandal is tremendously popular and very-pretty, but only should be worn by girls who have narrow and perfect feet. .. - • The effect, of large spreading joints or a broad foot 4u sucL an exposed, shoe is hideous. : . ,:-' The sandal is also l-ather expensive wear, for with so-much'foot .on view stockings must be superfine.- ' . ■ Eveningr stockings are worn : darker than usual this year ;the same applies to day stockings. ; '■• . : ■ Quite' a number of gray shades are popular—usually . with a mauvy: tinge —which look well with blue dresses.. Beiges and browns all have a tinge of yellow iii ,them this season, but no stocking should show a hint of pink, whether for day or evening wear. ' BOTH SIBLEIV