Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 18, 21 July 1934, Page 19

Paris in the Mirror

Written for "Th» Post" by Germalne,

.PABIS, May 30. After visiting, a few of the principal dressmakers, I can predict that should tho weather prove warm, we shall sec many women in diaphanous organdie frocks and in '-floral-printed and spotted organdie with sloping shoulders' and long full skirts. One of the novelties which we shall, sec at the various race meetings; this month at Longchamps, Auteuil, and Chnntilly, will doubtless be the decorative gauntlet-glove in flimsy fabrics which will be worn with short-sleeved race frocks. I also see a number of embroidered dresses in both organdie and handkerchief linen designed by tlie dressmakers, and such colours as pale blue, pale pink, and also white will.be favoured. It is almost certain that twer-piece suits of organdie embroidered with a ■ tracery of flowers will also be seen. •

Should the sun fail us, the dressmakers have designed many ensembles, and should the day be . too uncertain for diaphanous frocks and large picture liats, wo may see wraps with original fur-trimming against tho neck on one shoulder, and slanting down across the back to the elbow of the opposite arm, and neat satin skirts worn with heavy jackets of striped or patterned silk. Dresses of pearly grey satin or palest marpcain may appear under coats of the same shade, or in slightly darker tones, and a number of black and white ensembles are certain to be chosen by those women who know the smart' efoots always obtainable with these contrasts. HAT FANCIES. Hats -£his year include -types both large and small, models in organdia competing for favour, with others in felt and straw, velvet and straw, or straw alone. I quite expect that tha size of some hats will exceed any of those worn in former years, and for the exaggeratedly bouffant sleeve* which characterise, some of the frock* I have seen wide-brimmed hats will most certainly be called* for to accompany them.

Although in the minority little back-off-the-head bonnets aro to be seen, mostly for the dinner hour. -Made of gross-grain ribbon and in any colour desired, with a bow on the nape of tho neck, and the entire front covered with, tiny flowers, these little bonnets look rather like Dutch caps. I I was much amused at one of the Paris dresa shows by a big rod and white straw hat ithat turned out to be two hats, in one. The wide fine white straw was' lined with red, and' attached to tho crown with long red ribbons. These ribbons could be untied and the brim removed leaving the crown" which was then shown to be a small rea and white straw hat. These

hats were worn with a charming little dress that/looked like cotton crepe with a tiay red pin-dot. The ankle-length hem was bordered' with two frills of the material. .

jewellery to go with it. Much of this jewellery is made of wood and rubber in gay colours which do not spoil in the water, and very modern are'the necklace and bracelets of cork. Their chief interest lies in the fact that they are exact imitations of/lifebelts. .'A "lifebelt" is worn round the neck, and a woman may don as many bracelets of similar design-as she likes. They should give confidence to nervous bathers. Bracelets grow bigger and bigger as the fancy of jewellery designers is given full rein. The latest in- the big class are those wide thick bands of crystal and black, worn two or three at a time, and held together with a gargantuan crystal and black clip. CONCERNING SPORTS WEAR. At first glaueo sports wear does not seem to have changed its classic good looks very much—being content to rely on "cut" and perfection of fabric for its good reputation. Certainly, waistlines arc a little lower and hug the ribs more closely thai! formerly, and the light-topped vogue has found its way into active sports clothes as' well as afternoon and even-

ing wear. Materials'are rugged looking and rough to the touch, but deceivingly light in weight.' Diagonal patterns share honours with vertically ribbed weaves. Soft, cashmere wbolllens and "downy" angoras aro very much in evidence for junipers and sweaters. • Knitted things are getting to look like actual materials—tweeds, hopsacks, and so onj wliil'o. materials' are endeavouring to look knitted. Jumpers either are or look hand-knitted, and there are many new and varied gay stripes to be seen. . ' Sports suits look to their buttons or metal clips for practically the sole means of ornamentation. The Heroically enlarged hooks and •eyes: are still seen for decorative purposes. They aro un believably decorative .as well as'useful,-for thej smartly " and . securely fasten the sturdiest pi tweeds. . c \ ■ Each seasoncertain ode shades make their debuts These do not/usually- £1 into any particular class but wo frequently like to have a frock' in/ ont of theso colours if onlj for the variety it gives to a wardrobe. For this reason we shall pro 'bably have, a- dress in a mny 'red ;, shade—:a soft yellowish-red. In. fact, more is being wora in Paris than ever before. Also,wo are rather tempted by a new dark fuschia • —a^very smart shade.; Browa ia ■'■ one of' 'summer's fayourito.colours, raisin, brown- is a new version of 'this colour, it has a decided purple tinge to it cx-

No discussion of colour is complete without a word or two of the new fashion for colour contrast. Expressions of this vogue are seen in such examples as a red coat worn with a black dress, a green blouse with a brown skirt, a purple skirt with a pink blouse, etc., etc. For evening the of£sliades are as good as ever, especially a dull ivory, - "tusk"—and in the very off-whites amber ■is exceedingly chic There is a new-old blue,- and string colour is so smart this summer for evening, and' should continue as an autumn fashion. To achieve smaitncss the important thing is the shade.