Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 25, 29 July 1933, Page 19

Paris in the Mirror

Written for "Th» Post" by Gcrmalne.

PAEIS, June 7.

Chantilly was a perfect setting for the display of beautiful dresses yesterday at the Prix de Diane. Most of the afternoon the sun shone on brilliant green foliage, and summer flowers made gay splashes of colour in the paddock and near the tribunes. On the road from Paris traffic rolled in a long procession, and the crowds in paddock and pelouse seemed thoroughly pleased with themselves. .

Fashion had made a determined effort to show how varied she could be when she, liked. For once sombre colours were meriy a background for the greens and red, and even violets and purple, which many women were wearing. There were plenty of ensembles with coats and frocks, often of silk, and suits with long jackets and capes seemed to bo worn with all kinds of dresses.

The hobble skirt is back! Many

women seen on the racecourse were wearing models that had all the hallmark of the authentic pre-war article, including a deep slit at one side for walking purposes.

Strolling about shyly in little groups, the mannequins who were sent by important dressmaking houses to show off their models attracted a good deal of attention. The girls, who were ex-, tremely pretty, unconsciously made one lovely picture after another against the beautiful background of green trees and blue skies. Long gowns in chiffon, plain and vividly printed, which moulded their slim figures and billowed and frothed round their feet; frocks in coloured or white organdie and cotton, and dresses of lace were in view, and every one of them bore- the mark of an artist's hand. The charm of the hats went far to complete the picture. Most of them were large picture hats. A WELCOME RETURN. Modern style-creators are awake to the fact that many of the old-time accessories, alluring as they are, are just as effective today as they were yesterday. And as a result Paris is witnessing a return of such things as face-veils, feathers, flowers, laces, chokers, feather boas, and niching. All these add considerably to the allure of many a face and neck.

Make-up that would be brazen out in the open is alluring behind a veil, and

with a veiled hat powder and lipstick aro'iapplied without stint by the fash^ ionable Parisienne, who otherwise uses great discretion." " ■',

Paris, as a matter of fact, adheres to / no convention. If a thing is beautiful it is used in whatever way best suits the wearer, and always there is a tendency towards equalising styles, a levelling, process in fashion, as it were, with beauty and as the common denominators. YOUNG AT ANY COST. In the past the dressmakers were always disagreeing about waistlines. Some said they must be low, others would keep it at the natural, or high in front, drooping in back. The direetoire waistline had many adherents. This season waistlines are treated personally, with lots of leeway for the individual figure, and you aro supposed to wear your waistline at the point that divides your figure most charmingly. You must take your choice. You cannot go wrong in your waistline this season. Thi latest fashions dictate and prove conclusively that women must look childish to look smart. The Eton collar is now worn by women who want to look young at any cost. But .some forget that this new fashion means that a plump,' well-rounded neck is an absolute necessity. It is far more ' important for a woman to have A pretty neck and arms this summer than pretty legs. Many of the new summer dresses aro being made with,,short.sleeves, finished with elaborate frills and little shoulder capes, which leave the arms bare below and draw attention, sharply -to their charm or defects. ..-:.' > A DELIGHT. Women delight in the new fabrics. The art of deception has been practisedvery successfully by the French tex' tile manufacturers this, season, for they have created silks, cottons, and woollens which do not look what they really are. These new fabrics are really delightful. Not only aro they smart,'but the wearer enjoys surprising her friends who guess she is wearing wool by announcing that her suit is made of silk or cotton. There are some woollen materials which look exactly like ,fine jersey'and some natural coloured linen woven to imitate the same fabric, This season we have cotton tweeds and jersey tweeds as well ;as,tweed proper. , ■ ".■ Quite a'numbpr of" artificial silks are. being used ,this season. There are rich ne^y evening fabric's, therefore; ;heavy silk crepes and cloques With rippled and blistered surfaces, which are certain to be popular throughout the summer season. . , . .-..', •. , Though th 6 end of cotton- as a fabric for evening wear was predicted by many 'people, women are-still wearing a lot of it. A novel idea from a big Paris fashion house is the matching evening dress and bathing dress.; Both are in the same checked cotton' fabriiij and have the samei deeolletee. .': FASHION HINTS, v 5/; . Flowers, which are generously' ■ used throughout, make the belt of a 1 white satin wedding dress with square^,train slashed in front, and hold the skullcap with which the veil is headed across the back. -The "veil is entirely of lace, except for a tulle insert at either side. Street and.sports;:;:elsthes are quite short, fully thirteen inches from the floor. Afternoon , and evening clothes are as individual as the clothes themselves. . ... .': ; ■ ■; Silk stockings in a toast colour are the latest fashion fad. Also culinary as to colour are the biscuit fabric gloves, for.summer -wear. A real novelty 'is the' wearing of flesh-pink satin slippers and matching stockings with white gloves. Paris likes to add a dash of colour in a slim scarf on an almost sheath evening gown. A red one lined with white on. a. white, crepe frock hangs in a deep sling in the back, with tabs over the shouklers.ini.frpnt. Paris'has Vedu<fed and lowered her I bustle bows, but keeps "back interest" in her evening gowws, though the backs of gowns this season are nearly equally interesting. Thera is a new delicate beige colour —almost white- —with a beige shadow in it. Born to be worn with light summer frocks, printed or plain,1 in the '.subtle tones that Paris loves. '.'' .;. 'One might say this season that "cut" is king and "colour" is queen. And always simplicity rules tho roost.

The new scarves made of braided strands of satin in three, four, or five shades, hanging down to the knees in front, are awfully smart. They can also be twisted around the neck.