London Fashion Notes specially written for"The Post."

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1932, Page 9

London Fashion Notes specially written for"The Post."

■ LONDON, 3rd June. London, in" conjunction -with the rest Of England, 'has suffered from a very bad attack of Derby fever this -week. ' The favourite, which literally tons of money, disappointed as so many favourites have done before in this famous race. Those win liad felt yealthy in the morning having' drawn tpis particular horsb in a sweepstake fait considerably chastened later in the Clay.

The Derby is such a cosmopolitan race meeting, and this year attracted the largest crowd ever seen on Epsom Downs. To adtt; to the pleasure* and excitement, the sun shone with equal brilliance on Boyalty' and gipsies, i and although'only a third of the people could possibly have caught a glimpse of the 'race it was really a "glorious first of June" for thousands who were enjoying- a day out. From a fashion point of view, tailored clothes usually predominated, but the popular bright coloured, suits and .ensembles lent a brillianco not usually associated with - this meeting. The * short white coat, usually just reaching to the waist, was seen on the grandstand and in the paddock. One especially smart' woman wore a very bright blue dress with a short white coat of silk serge, cut square at the waist and tied at the neck with 1 l blue. ■ A white straw "boater" hat— this being a, flat sailor shape—with a broad band of blue ribbon, and a fur tie consisting of two foxskins, one White and .one black. The most sensational dresses were thosewith. tho striped effects, especially dazzling were black and white gowns with etripes arranged like lightning streaks./ .' Stripes are considered exceedingly smart, but, it is a pity to spoil a chic fashion by attempting the bizarre.* The flat sailor hat seems to be catching popular fancy, and is showing in every coloured straw. I think the best effects are gained by those who'choAse ' black or navy with a.deep white band, or a white hat with" a deep dark band. A.bow beneath the brim at the back .is new, and helps to dress the hair, which needs much » care with these • severe hats. Some of the sailor brims are perfectly flat: others have a suspicion of a droop, and it is amazing how much easier to wear this slight makes them. \The tightness about the skirts which •was so noticeable in the earliest models is giving place to an easy fullness from the hips, especially'at the back. ', . By this token one realises that designers have, awakened to the fact that normal women possess curves, and are not all six feet high! Many of the latest models show pleats back and front, others at the back only. These either commence from a shaped piece fitting the hip, or are .'stitched tightly from the,high waistline to the hip to preserve tho slim, close-fitting effect round the figure. There are a great many short sleeves on blouses and dresses, some just little puffs or shoulder frills; others puffed to the elbow, but except for tennis frocks, etc., the sleeveless1 dress is not shown. Patterned sleeves with a plain dress is one of the latest ways of adding novelty to a simple frock. A brown drese with sleeves of coral pink spotted with brown and white was' much liked at a recent show, also one in navy blue, with elbow puff sleeves of white and navy flowered silk, and x a small patterned scarf draped at the neck. * The general effect of to-day's fashion is to make one look very tall and shortivaisted. All very well for the sylphs of this world, but not too easy for

those pas|t their first youth to whom the moulded waistline that extends for three inches above and ■ below the natural line is distinctly trying. The three-quarter and full length coats which are. showing again in the mid-season collections will bo welcomed by all but the very slim. They are so much more flattering to the heavier woman who-feels bunched up and deprived of dignity when wearing the little waist and hip-length coats which are^ enchantitfg on youth. An example of a very distinguished but not easy 'io wear style was a girl

in -a plain1 woollen frock, navy blue, buttoned down the front and belted;, long sleeves, plain and tight; high neck with collar and cuffs- of whito lawn, and worn -with a litt,le American sailor hat perched sideways on the head. This was made of spotted navy and white crepe, and had a scarf to match. A black coat and skirt with white blouse had ono of tho ,now shoulder capes with a heavy fur hem, which was cleverly wound round slim shoulders, and- worn with a turban of black crochet straw that had two loops of white corded ribbon over one ear.

.AlPhats are worn'to show the hair round the ears and tho neck, and are very feminine in style, which makes hair dressing extremely important. Soft curls and waves koj>t closely to the head are imperative, for if fashions are fluffy the neat outline'of the head remains-.

; Hats jn* a material to match the dress U a fashion'which is increasing, and several ensembles in two imaterials^—

one plain and one figured in spots of stripes—-are worn ■with hats made of both materials! Gloves are very important this year, as. many coats have short sleeves and this calls for a long and expensive glove. - Short gauntlets are worn with tailormades, arid some gloves are made with removable-cuffs. , Light' colour's which match something in .the ensemble are1 used, or. black or brown to go with dress, shoes, or-bag.. . ■':. The popular bag is a long envelope shape,' usually in shiny leather and tucked under the, arm. /, .-'' : : •'... EUTH SIBLET.