London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for "The Post."

LONDON, November 29.

In the last few years fashion lias been so influenced by famous art exhibitions that I am wondering if the present military styles will soon give place to Oriental modes inspired by the wonderful Exhibition oC Chinese Art opened in London this week. Such marvels of colour, design, and workmanship, many of them dating back ten and twelve centuries, induce a feeling of humility. What have we moderns produced with all the help that progress and science can lend that can compare with many of the exquisite pieces shown in this wonderful collection of Oriental art of a past civilisation? All London will be drawn to Burlington House, and I foresee that the spring fashions will include the pagoda hat and the loose mandarin coat adapted to suit the present mode of life. MILITARY STYLES PREVAIL. In the fashionable crowd that atI tended the opening the military trend in present fashion was very evident: short jackets with square shoulders and "frog" trimmings across the front; hats like a soldier's kepi, squarecrowned and with a square peak in front, and a clump of cogue feathers placed at the side of the crown. Others trimmed with braid and little

were earlier in the year, and help to emphasise the new swinging line.

Afternoon dresses introduce fullness into the front or the back, and naturally the tendency towards fullness has brought back pleats. One of the most popular sports skirts of the moment has knife pleats swinging wide and free all round. New York is mad about this particular skirt for spectator sportswear. THE LURE OF LACE. Fashions are so feminine this year that the vogue for lace is not surprising. As a smart material for summer dresses lace in unusual colourings was extremely fashiorrable. Sapphire blue, Dubbonet-red, Lincoln green, and darK brown were the lace colours used when fashioning the tailored suits and dresses for daytime wear which were so smart and unusual. New York had a lace ball during the season when every type of lace accessory as well as dresses for every occasion were shown and worn. Lace as a trimming in the form of half-sleeves, jabots, waistcoats, as well as the more ordinary cuffs and collars, has been one of the noticeable features of dress throughout the year. The lace blouse has been used to exploit the fashionable bodice fullness, one of the most unusual being the "lumber jacket" sports type, which has been reproduced in lace for dinner wear. The collar is low and closefitting, and the jacket fastens all the way down the front with lace-covered buttons. Sleeves are a little full at the shoulder and wrist, and the blouse is fitted with a tight lace band at the waist.

I have sketched two attractive lace jackets that are adaptable for smart summer wear, the theatre, or informal evening. These look particularly well over dark dresses, or worn above dark coloured skirts when made of lightcoloured lace. In direct opposite, such a jacket in wine red or midnight blue is extremely chic over a plain white crepe dress.

Hats, large and small, have been made in lace to'match-the tailored lace suits, while lace gloves are"worn with jilain crepe summer, dresses. . , •• Many of the newest long sleeves are very full, and are made so that they can be pushed above, the, elbow and hang in loose puffs to three-quarter length. This sleeve will give a new style to a very simple dress.

RUTH SIBLEY,