London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for "The Post.*

LONDON, June 12. London is living up to its summer season reputation, and I am told on reliable authority that the big hotels have more guests than during "Derby" week, with bookings that will carry through the busiest days of summer. Fortunately, the sun has relented, and we are not constantly apologising for our lack of summer weather, and certainly the green parks and squares of which London has such a generous share, make very pleasant retreats from the roar of the traffic and the petrol-laden air which is one of the least desirable aspects of modern progress. We are constantly reminded that fashion is only a circle after all, and the old saying that "if you keep a thing seven years it will be fashionable again" is true in spirit although it

sometimes takes more than seven years for the cycle to return. In Westminster Abbey this week a lovely bride wore her mother's wedding gown of rich ivory satin and old , lace. With iti slashed puff sleeves, fitting bodice and waistline, and the fullness of the skirt pleats at the back .extending into a train, it was quite in keeping with the present mode. This gown, I am told, was quite unaltered except for an adjustment of fitting, and the stiff satin of yesterday matched the

! modern material which we now call "slipper satin." GREY FLANNELS. When thinking of spring outfits, put grey flannel on your list, for grey flannel suits are almost an epidemic this year. They are so universally becoming and so , adaptable to an uncertain climate that the present craze is understandable. But there are one or two accessories that wreck the most perfectly-made suit of this kind. First of all, grey stockings; secondly, a pink blouse or hat; and thirdly, a red hat or blouse or gloves or scarf. These hackneyed colour schemes reduce a smart suit to a very ordinary garment. If you are not wearing all-grey accessories (plus deep sunburn stockings), or dark blue green or brown etceteras, try a clever colour scheme. A dark blue overcoat over a grey suit, with a grey hat that has a rust ribbon and a rust scarf. Striped flannels are on the decline' and the best suits this year are being made of plain material that relies on perfection of cut, and some new kind of fastening, novel pockets, or any inspiration that does not distort the tailor-made effect. TAILORED HEDINGOTES Under a heading of "Things they are wearing," my notebook reminds me of the popularity of the redingote^that tailored dress-cum-coat that epens down the front to show an underslip, and is kept together at the waistline by a belt or some decorative clasp. This is one of the most successful of the many types, of adaptable "lo'hes which have been so welcome to women of limited incomes. The actual redingpte can be made of dark or light material, but the slip beneath should show as-, a definite contrast. ; Personally, I suggest a light material over a dark slip if it fits in with individual requirements as giving greater distinction. . Economcally, the dark dress-cum-coat is probably more serviceable. if moire stereotyped. This style arrived with the very earliest spring models, and by wearing printed crepe slips these, are adapted for summer wear and so give endless service. ■ The idea has been included in collections of informal evening dresses, and very effective is a dress of dark silk over a slip of beige lace, or black velvet over a very pale-coloured chiffon, etc. The simple woollen frock for the house, etc., has become exceedingly important this year. With simple lines, important sleeves, and novelty belts these little dresses are almost indispensable for everything but really hot weather. Fancy materials include those with rows of self-fringe, or little tag ends all over the surface. Others have embroidered spots or metal studs worked in the same way. Very decorative was one style seen recently in gentian blue woollen, with self-coloured buttons from ne^'k to the waist in.the front and down the back to the hip line. Tiny white linen collar and cuffs completed this distinctive garment. A model made of wine red woollen with full bishop sleeves and a ruffle of its own material at the neckline was completed by a deep belt of bright navy suede with steel buckles. Again decorative was a shaggy material in olive green, with little tags all over the surface, and a deep belt of swathed tomato red, with gilt buckles and a row of gilt buttons down the back. Good colour contrasts are important, but the dress colour should be becoming, and the style and line simple. ,',''■ E. RUTHSIBLEY.