London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1936, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written far "The Post." .

LONDON, July 31. Our English summer seems to have mastered the art of leaving us before it has arrived! It says much for the counter attractions of this country that visitors can still enthuse aboub London when most of the attractive programmes provided have been washed out!

silhouette, and it looks as though the day of the "swagger" coat is passing. To replace it for sports wear they are showing a straight, loose coat that is quite practical, though not too attractive, but which will probably improve as we grow accustomed to the changed line.

The belted coat with the. flaring hem line is also being used with a very narrow skirt for the newest tailored. suits. These coats are usually knee-length and can also be worn over a contrasting coloured dress or skirt, providing it is very ' narrow. Many afternoon dresses have the umbrella. effect at the skirt hem, while others have umbrella tunics. Many evening, dresses stress this skirt, also being slim well below the hips and then cleverly gored to spread the fullness round the feet, and quite a number are "floor!' length..

Gay Goodwood became grey Goodwood", and this applied to skies and women's clothes. Summer frocks were out of the question, and the season's preference' for ' grey tailored ensembles was demonstrated. Grey in every shade from deep steel grey to the pale dove and lavender grey flan-

At the other and of the scale there is a new idea fjr semi-evening-wear, a dress in gold or silver lame with a finely-pleated short, skirt, high neck, and a little fitted jacket of lame, embroidered with wool.

Is it a sign of returning prosperity when both Paris and London designers use materials of astonishing richness and beauty? I was shown a fabric which I am told is selling well —a new thread jersey fabric which costs £5 per yard! While a. house which is noted for originality is knitting evening gowns in gold and silver thread.

Possibly it is because in [these astonishing times a: model;gown, only remains exclusive, by reason.:' of extravagant materials,, the actual' style being' rapidly copied,' and distributed over the world. * One. London designer whp.has done-.well with his models in America has received information that one gown was copied 5000 times!

ASTONISHING POCKETS. -How we have grumbled in the past at the absence of any.small pocket in which to tuck a hankie, now they are putting pockets all over our plothes. As. many as four will.decorate,a.short Jacket "or" a long coat: Irif the latter• they often wide and capacious. 'Skirts, have two pockets-placed high or larger patch pockets lower oh the skirt. A number of suit pockets are secured by the. zip fastener, now made in many colours to match the materials of the coat. .' '. ■ ' •','.'""..

One dress in soft brown woollen trimmed "with foliage green was fastened down the. back with a brown zip' and. also on* the two length-way pocke>, openings oft .the front of the skirts ■■,... ..'..". ■' :

nels so popular with • youthful racegoers. . -.'."■■' Looking at winter tweeds and cloth coats trimmed with fur is usually .a hot and sticky business in July and August. But lately one has felt the 'urge to buy these sort of clothes for the coming holiday season, instead of the abbreviated beach kits one was persuaded to choose in our one week's summer heat wave. FULLNESS AT THE HEM. The newest coats show a gracious fullness about the hem. A preference for the fitted, waistline—either shaped to the figure or pulled in by a belt—unusual buttoning, decorative buttons, and .important pockets. These coats' will give" a new

We are rushing into colours for the coming season, many of which have to be seen to be believed. Imagine magenta and sky blue, bright peacock blue with black, russset red and lime green, lavender grey and magenta, dark green and coral, grey green with lime, and you will have a good notion of the unusual colour combination which, will be launched in the next few weeks.

Velvet'comes back naturally into the fashion picture at this time of the year, but it was equally fashionable in' spring, so if you can combine, it originally for a new outfit in the form of a velvet skirt with a tweed jacket or vice versa, you will be in the mode for many months. The velvet skirt with a full tunic •coat or blouse in a lighter colour will be a popular favourite. Skirts grow shorter and hats climb higher. Indeed, some of the early millinery models are so high and pointed that it will take courage to wear them as they are. ; : - The velvet turban swathed high and worn forward is another style that is being stressed at the moment. E. RUTH SIBLEY. :