London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1933, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Spaelally Writttn far "The Post."

LONDON, July 28. Never has a dying season shown, so many signs of life, but this heat-wavo is somewhat overwhelming, and is driving those who can possibly manage it to seek the open spaces of country and beach resorts. The- delegates to the World Economic Conference are already packing up, leaving us somewhat disappointed with present results, but full of hope for the future. But at least those of them (and there Teally are many) who only imagine London as the home of fogs and rain, havo been happily disillusioned, for conditions have been almost tropical during most of their stay. "Glorious Goodwood" has lived up .to its name this week, perfect -weather, beautiful country, and record attendance There are those who contend we place too -much importance on weather conditions, but when one hears that there were more people at Goodwood on the first day of the race meeting this year than attended the whole four days last year when it rained —well, who said the sunshine made no difference to the financial as well as the social success of most affairs'? Cotton frocks, shady hats, bare legs! That has been the fashion report from Goodwood this week, and what a triumph for the British cotton mills and the designers when one considers the'popularity which the new ribbed cotton materials and delicato pique voiles have had this season. Soon I shall be up to my eyes in autumn materials and modes, so in passing I must tell you a fow.of the holiday fashions which have become popular this -year. ■ The trousqr. mode' which was shown early in the -spring, is already being worn by the- seaside and river girls. Usually these are tailored affairs in grey, white, or navy blue flannel, and might easily havo been borrowed from the husbands.or brothers' wardrobes. .On slim*.women, and in their, proper places of- country or beach they are trim and practical,' but I cannot reconcile myself to the sight of women in these clothes in towns, even country or coast towns. The long jersey pyjama beach suit with bare-backed sun-bathing top has already reached tho mass production stage, and will be seen everywhere in holiday centres. . The newest idea for these "comfort" clothes which I consider more f eminino and therefore more attractive-, consists of an all-in-one-piece gingham shorts and sun-bathing top cut rather reminiscent of a child's romper. "When more protection is needed, abbreviated shorts cut fairly wide all down made of soft checked woollen aro worn with a short-sleeved stockinette shirt that has a turn-down collar and a check bow to match the shorts. These sports shirts have rather "hit t,he town" and are favoured by the smarter Dianas of the season. They have just-abovb-tho'-elbow sleeves and a boyish neckline vastly becoming to sleek young "heads. They started life expensively in the exclusive sports stores, 4>ut have now been copied by such manufacturers as Wolsoy, Jaeger, and Morley, and arc within tho reach of quite modest dress allowances. Made in every colour both, light and dark— and the dark top mode accounts for the wearing of the darker sports shirt with1 light shorts. Incidentally- this shirt is very popular with men —who wear dark red, blue, brown, and even black sports shirts with grey or white • flannel trousers. Can only- think the idea originated from the

Fascisti uniform, for it looked so. revolutionary at first. String blouses used tentatively at first havo also caught the public fancy. These you could make for yourselves, either knitted or crocheted, using Macrame strong which is obtainable in many new colours, but I prefer them in string colour. Theso string blouses have short sleeves or are sleeveless, and sometimes made into tho stylo of a sleeveless cardigan. The stocking cap has been another unexpected success, probably because so easy to make, and it certainly is different. This consists of a pieco of ribbed knitting (4 plain to 1 purl sort of thing) exactly like the top of a stocking. One end is stretched over

the top, of- thohcad and the other rolled over, leaving the top of the head bare, or caught down with a' large chromium safety-pin; ' ' Another knitted cap, made on similar lines but not • ribbed—just one row plain, one row purl—has the four sides of the top. just caught together, leaving four points on tho top of the crown. Sometimes a tassel or porky bow of ribbon -is added to this. Well, the modern idea of holiday seems to bo discarding all possible garments, and once more the manufacturers havo risen to tho call. Tho newest bathing suits ;arc hardly more than a ' woollen-brassiere-and-shoi'ts affair, which although a two-piece garment is usually very'brief.' But quite tho nicest-of these made by Jaeger showed heavy jersey shorts with a sleeveless top outlined with white and double-breasted, red buttons on top,. and shorts which also, had mock pockets' edged "with white. 1 Holiday sandals of linen plaited straw and leather are cut on similar lines' but with lower heels than the evening' models. ' —RUTH SIBLEY.