London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

CLOTHES OF LITTLE PRINCESSES

Specially Written for "The Post"

■ • LONDON, June 25.. It must have been a proud occasion for overseas visitors this week when they attended the first garden party at Buckingham Palace to be given by King George and Queen Elizabeth — especially for them. Filmy frocks and shady picture hats predominated and the enthusiasm of the visitors almost overwhelmed the Royal party. The Queen forsook her favourite blue for once and appeared in a long frock of pale cyclamen pink chiffon and a flower-trimmed hat. The little Princesses, who were the centre of attraction, were dressed with that delightful simplicity which distinguishes all their clothes, in white muslin patterned with sprigs of coloured flowers, white shoes and socks, and very simple white muslin hats with narrow ruches of white and pale blue ribbon. Children's fashions are following the lines of the Princesses' clothes, and the becoming frocks and coats,. so simply cut but beautifully made, make them the ideal/styles for all types of children. Shops are in the throes of summer sales. . These seem v to happen so.early now that many women buy half their wardrobe at reduced prices before the summer has hardly started. This year, however, with a fine and crowded June, it has been impossible to waitbut the shops are still full of bargain hunters endeavouring to replace and supplement their already much worn ensembles. , . . BLUE AND BED. This a. colour combination which is extremely popular this year in such varied fashions ■as sports clothes and bridesmaids' dresses. The entire ensemble may_ consist of this' colour scheme, as when a red coat is worn over a dark or :mid-blue dress, oj.a brilliant jumper, is seen with a bright blue suit.. In more. elaborate fashions a dark blue lace dress will be worn with .a wide blue "hat trimmed with red roses. Navy blue chiffon will have either a brick red'or a winered sash.-:' ,;.: , •■ '..■■■'.: "■.-.' ' Pale blue and wine red were used effectively for • six bridesmaids at a -society wedding. The.full dresses of pale blue, moire, with: the fashionable short sleeves, had the skirts bordered with wine-coloured moire, and they carried sheaves of wine-coloured gladioli.' Sometimes a red ribbon round a navy blue sailor Tiat, with a navy ensemble, gives just that touch of chic which makes an ensemble stand out j In a. crowd. RIBBON VOGUE. I It is a long time since ribbon held j such a place of honour in the world of, dress. Grosgrain has always main- j tamed some position in the art of j millinery, even during that post-war I period of plainness when hats were practically untrimmed. Now it has been developed in a greater variety of colours) which gives it a wider scope in dressmaking, and this season it often supplies the individual note on a dress. It has been used to make inch-wide banx borders to tailored Redingotes of printed fabrics.' In pelisse form, it is used to decorate evening gowns, and in two contrasting colours for tailored waist belts on patterned and plain suits and frocks, as well as latticework foundations beneath transparent corsages. Stocky little "box" jackets also show It interlacing x basket weave in three or four colours for wear with the short type of cocktail dinner frock in one of the dark colour blendings. Grosgrain shoulder straps make simple effects in a single colour, such as green, on an evening gown of navy, green, and red'floral printed organza (silk organdie), with the green and red forming twin lines on the base of the skirt. The shoulder straps rise from a heart-shaped decolletage to tie in a bow on each shoulder.

A single line of sapphire blue ribbon

gives an attractive note on the hem of an amber yellow organza frock. Of great charm, too, is the wide

satin ribbon which swathes the entire corsage of chiffon evening gown, and tails into a long sash or provides, a colour contrast in a deep swathed belt on a, day frock. Pale pink, egg blue, lime green on black for the latter are favourites.

Then, velvet.ribbon is used to border little loose lace jackets that are square cut and just reach the waistline, with a ribbon tie at the neckline.

, On millinery bows are rampant. Huge affairs of broad silk ribbon cover the crown of small hats, others are on the bandeau,, close to the brim, or clipping near the nape of the neck like a schoolgirl's hair ribbon.

I have sketched a very new model which holds a suggestion . for your coming spring. It is. a coat frock trimmed with an inset stripe arrangement o£ grosgrain ribbon which also faces the stand-up collar and small turned back revers.

As shown, in the sketch, • grosgrain trimmed ensembles are completed by a hat of all grosgrain, or in felt trimmed and bound with grosgrain ribbon.

Dresses that look like coats or suits are very poular. They carry one over so many occasions and look well under a fur coat, and later are smart for street wear.

E. RUTH SIBLEY.