London Fashion Notes Specially Written for "The Post."

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 16

London Fashion Notes Specially Written for "The Post."

LONDON, November 6.

London's pageantry progresses as it has since Saxon times —a triumph of continuity. Parliament was opened with all the pomp and ceremony of medieval times —inside the House of Lords. Alas, inclement weather induced the King to curtail the procession from the Palace, and cars replaced the State coaches and gorgeous trappings, thereby saving private individuals many hundreds of pounds in ruined uniforms-'-one more instance of his Majesty's practical consideration for others.

In spite of a steady storm of rain, the streets along the route were crowded, while those privileged to attend the ceremony commented on the solitary figure of our youthful-looking King in the midst of the glittering throng of brilliantly clad peers and peeresses.

The party season is in full swing, and London will soon have more restaurants than Paris. Every week sees a new smart place opened in which one can spend a gay evening "eating out," as our American friends would call it, while even the exclusive hotels

supply late entertainment at supper time. Evening fashions have been very much in the news, especially as the peeresses' State robes were modified to take a kirtle of velvet and miniver over a normal evening frock. Dignified brocades, heavy satins, and much lace are amongst the favourite materials this season. Lace should interest you as a summer fabric for smart occasions. As it wears and travels so well, it is the ideal frock for weekend parties of all kinds. Recently, in London, we had a "Lace |

Week" to introduce the beauties of Nottingham lace as compared to various kinds imported from the Continent. Too many women had failed to realise the lovely designs and exquisite quality of the home product, and lace is now even more popular than ever. There is so much variety in line this season that one should study one's own figure rather than any special fashion, for while the general tendency is for evening gowns to be long and slender one designer gives fullness by putting pleats in front, while another, equally famous, gets the fullness by gathering the material below the waist at the back and letting it fall loosely below. DECORATIVE SLEEVES. Many evening fashions show decorative sleeves, both long and short. Tunic styles favour a modified leg o' mutton; others fall straight from the shoulder and widen out at the wrist. In the case of lace: quite a number show a high neckline in front, and this continues unbrokenly to the wrist in a close-fitting sleeve. Organdie is a lovely summer fabric for the evening. White organdie, cut on redingote lines over a dark satin slip, with wide shouldered sleeves that lit closely above the elbow, makes an exceedingly chic gown. The redingote may have small revers and close at the waist, parting below to show the dark slip, which should be very slender under the fullness of the white organdie frock. i I have sketched a delightful model made of embroidered white organdie and worn over a taffeta slip, with pleated frills at the foot. Don't you love the voluminous sleeves and the back cut so unconventionally? This model would also look well in taffeta —either plain or flowered, with a large cluster of blooms in the centre of the corsage. EVENING WRAPS. There are a dozen different styles that may appeal when choosing an evening wrap. The very long coat fitted to the waistline or the very short coat fitted in the same fashion. Both these styles are seen in handsome brocades, double taffetas, velvet, and lame, but for summer the same decorative lines were used for evening wraps of pique, furnishing damask, and many other simple fabrics. Very picturesque are the full-length evening capes, cut circular, fitting the shoulders, but with flaring fullness at the hem. Usually these capes are fastened at the throat with a simple turn-over collar, band of fur, or ruffle of flowers. Shoulder capes of fur or material are another popular evening fashion, which, with long coloured suede gloves, often provide the note of distinction. Recently at the opera, a lovely woman with silvery blonde hair, wore a dress of royal purple with long gloves of magenta suetfe, and a shoulder cape of silver. Another, in white satin, had long gloves in cornflower blue suede that matched the lining of her short whita ermine cape. Touches of colour that are cleverly restrained like these give the chic all women desire. Good dressing never has and never will depend on money alone. It relies primarily on understanding of line, an appreciation of colour,.and restraint in the choice of accessories. Points to watch are the hip-line, which is always dangerous and can be fatal, and even if your figure has the proportions of a goddess keep the line from waist to knee unbroken. If you ;are short and plump go one" better and keep it uninterrupted to the hem. If your hips are wide, see to it that there is width or fullness about the shoulders, which will give an illusion of slenderness to the hips. Very slender, long necks need pretty ruffly or draped necklines that soften the throat. Thin shoulders should never wear narrow shoulder straps. This type of woman should wear fluffy styles, both for day and evening. I •" E. RUTH SIBLEY.