London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 123, 27 May 1933, Page 9

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for "Th« Post.' 1

LONDON, March 01. Here, we arc at the end of the most •wonderful March on record, and with moro hours of sunshine than wo are often favoured with in June! Keally warm days to tempt tho adventurous to don spring clothes and hope they can discard their woolly "undies."So, although we- all feel it is rather too good to bo true, and that we shall probably freeze later, winter coats have given way to spring suits, and new hats have blossomed overnight. . Tho fondness for navy blue and whito is a fashion which returns with spring every year. This season you get it in tartans and

checks, "as well, as in -plain materials allied to white pique waistcoats, collars, cuffs,., and bows. Whit© hats are another - sign pf; spring, and this; year a cap or, small-brimmed, straw in white ■will often have : a band' or bow of the dark colour of the ensemble. White organdie blouses, finely worked and frilled, are worn with coats and skirts of navy and black —an extremely dainty fashion, but one that adds considerably to the laundry bill. Organdie needs' to be ironed after each wearing, and must'be spotless or » its charm is lost; possibly this is why a. blouse of this, inexpensive material always gives, an exclusive appearanco ■to a simple suit. A fashion picture * one constantly meets is a checked dress worn with a plain coat, with. or without,, a little \eapelet on the shoulders; a small hat something like ,a fez or a low-crowned "sailor," with narrow brim dipping well over the eyes. This ensemble may F be in black and white, blue and white, or' brown and beige. . Already there is a lot of rod being ■worn this spring in Scarves, blouses, mid hats, on black, on navy blue, or on grey, and is always chic aa well as cheerful. . There is a blue called "Indian blue," which is something between navy and royal,.that is very, fresh'and young. A dress and jacket of this blue with a broad,white ribbon bow at the neck, and a. white, ribbon round a brimmed blue hat is a charming way of achieving a spring contrast. The prevalence of both tailored and dressmaker suits, and tho increasing habit of persuading two ensembles to play tho part : 'of the fiveor' sis w.e thought' necessary in more prosperous .times, is responsible for the innumerable shirts and' blouses wo sec here, ithere,'and everywhere. Blouses are so gay and varied this season that they, sewn to bo the better half of our suits. Fortunately, thero are no rules as to what they should bo like—indeed, the more difference and originality tho better. Dark blouses with light suits have been getting most of the limelight in the earliest shows.

Yet just as many light blouses will bo worn with dark suits. ' High collars aro talked of, but there are also crossovers and round necks, square and v-shaped ones in au endless variety. ' ' Cotton is acclaimed as unrivalled for chic, but besides blouses of gingham, tobrajco, voile, and pique, there arc [also exquisite confections in silks, chiffons, and useful shirts in fine tweeds, angora cloths, and wool crepes. j Severe shirts in fine checked washing silks or ' move feminine designs in striped, spotted, plaid, and floral crepes are to bo seen everywhere for those who like .printed fabrics. Sleeves may be short and puffy or short and plain. Others just cover the

i elbow, and still more reach down to the , wrist. Blouse sleeves arc never i dull any more than are the new dress 1 sleeves, but exaggerated puffs or kg: o> evening wear the blouse and skirt is mutton effects are reserved for- the evening. Today the blouse is not only for suits, for cocktail time and informal meeting with much approval. Sophisticated'lacquered satiii, filmy chiffon, gleaming lame, and exquisite lace are the materials used for. these elaborate ' blouses. With one long, dark silk skirt as a foundation this blouse and skirt mode, is .full of' possibilities for smart 1 economy. Another very useful fashion wlrieh the dressmakers have evolved is the two-in-one "frock. ' A Grosvenor Street designer showed several versions''of the "apron-dress" for daytime;, and later in the evening. ■ Several quiet little' day frocks in black and .navy were ; entirely transformed when an overdress of gaily patterned ercpe was slipped over. These sleeveless apron overdresses may be any length from above the knee to ,iust a few inches over the hera. Their necklines can be high or low-draped, or cut ml round or v-shaped. They bring freshness: and colour'to a dull frock,' and can be adapted for the young girl as AveU as hei mother. , Apart from enabling one frock to serve two purposes they provide an economical way of introducing new and often expensive materials into one's ; wardrobe. An "apron." of lacquered satin .or brilliant lame .is distinctly cheaper than a whole gown, and I saw a very sedate black lace dinner dress given an entirely different , appearanco "\vith ■ an, "apron".of white lacquered satuv with satin gloves to the elbow. A bright .navyavool romain day frock" with three-quarter sleeves looked extremely serviceable worn with a- red and beige check scarf arid bag, beige stockings, and beige ruckled gloves. What a complete change the overdress made. This was in navy and ldrge whito leaf-patterned crepe. With a white hat and white gloves and bag it was the complete afternoon ensemble.1 KUTH SIBLEY.