London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 111, 6 November 1937, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for !*Th» Past".

LONDON, August-27

%■ tte~'sun^&'-Avi^t'tcp .aimy'years Is^iieairihglts "close.1 -How" we .regret "its pass jng. '6 ut what. a joy' it has been to the of, workers and children ■ wh^:;}:sie^rr'hblidays\-in; ihis » month. EeachesvJraye. been crowded? with gayprihted*j>l?iy swim sii'i.fs,/tand smartly^cut'wrapsijfor, ithe ■blatants;'hakednesy^so; iashidnable -for the: t last'ifef^' seasons is not; considered smart,; Later in'the/year;: when of ft'ore interest to- yojnl,, season;. I.iwill ':_ give fuHfier'aetSifi^oftfiis'yetr's beach cos-tumes.-Vln" the meantime it is spring clothes that you, will •'be- thinking ".'of jan.dv it *is the .changing moods of our mutual climates that bring into play all our intelligence if one would make dressing-well something; more interesting t, than< just following fashion.

As one ■ decorates, a room, so one should decorate simple frocks, coats, md suits ' Navy 'blue frockc which are perennial .favourites always, invite decotation, and white pique trimmings are as much in favour as ever, so are .bright little scarves of the. short decorativS type knotted at the throat, or with the ends forming two silk flowers under.-the-chin;..etc. There are so many neck adornments for dresses that no one heed wear the same two days running, and a new scarf arid belt can alter the appearance of a frock whenever one fancies a change.

Indeed,, Paris has shown several models which she calls "background" dresses,', usually in black,'•: navy, or some other very-dark' colour; These: are 'beautifully cut on very simple lines, and-'offered' •'with '• several-: alternate "trimming sets.";' ' \ j '-;1 ■

A coloured.sash and flowers.for one, a contrasting sleeveless bolero and sash for another, a three-string set of pearls, and deep' gauntlet cuffs of Valenciennes lace and organdie for another. A scarf of bright cherry-red taffeta that encircles the neck with two largepetalled flowers under the chin and similar scarves,with a single smaller flower at the wrist of each sleeve, i

. BRIGHT BLOUSES. « 'Blouse's' you' must have "for spring, and let them be as bright' as possible, 'with i. predominance of the jacketJand waistcoast. variety., Yellows, reds, iVivid.'b}ues, mauves,/"etc., are ne^wer than the creams, and beiges of more conservative years _ , , p If ry"our, figure allows ' you to wear [ tartan-and plaids, then a plaid blouse >is .extremely chic, but it you are short

■ in stature or; heavy, about the bust and i shoulders, plain "colours give a more! ■satisfactory result. Your early'blouse may be of a soft woollen fabric, and the fashions, for twin garments, such as woolly sweater and cardigan to match, or blouse and brief jacket in the, same colour, with a short contrasting skirt is a persistent fashion that has' become popular Keep the shoul der line of blouses as well as dresses straight, with the sleeve's giving any extta .width by extending beyond, but not tip This line is not exaggerated or hard, but-it is being maintained to accentuate the slenderncss of the waist. , ,' f , Simplicity with extreme chic is the aim of the smart woman this year. Her dress* may be as simple in cut as possible, and it is >with the odd things such as'shoes, gloves, scarves sashes, white touches (always m moderation) that the effect is achieved. This is where carei and intelligence are needed, ' Sot when overdone they are as ineffective as when .neglected. EVENING SPLENDOUR.' , Naturally,- this 'has been" a year of splendid toilettes for the evening, when grand jewels' called for Handsome materials and elaboration- of line and trimming. Still, I feel the same simplicity rules fpr general wear, although the colour of fabric may, give an appearance of 'grandeur.'

Dresses may be long and slim, or long and bouffant, or short and flaraH, as in the new "ballerina" frocks. But m dll styles there is a clear-cut aspect that x forbids a collection of bits and pieces'for trimmings..,lf you want a distinctive trimming, you cannot choose better than a sash. There are a dozen different ways of wearing the sash, but in every Lca"se it should be the arresting feature of the dress. It may be short, but with an enormous bow at the side i front'or centre back. In this case it is*usually of some crisp material, such as taffeta or" stiffened net. A sash can 'be Knotted at the waistline and

trail in two broad ends at the back to form a train. Of moderate length m two coloured chiffons as a contrast to a white or pastel satin gown, it gives a dainty contrast Very new is the Molyneux sash whteh he places in many positions—, down the side, down the'front, and down the back, with ends knotted or tied in a bdw: I t have sketched one or his models, very 'feminine and chic. Of dark brown satin with an overskirt of brown tulle Cor organic would look lovely for summer), it is laced with a wide satin ribbon in a lovely shade of pale pink. E. RUTH SIBLEY.

tons to the dress. The skirt achieves its fullness with simple inverted pleats back and front. . . \, j Quite different is a Moorish striped crepe that'is cut sleeveless with a shallow overlap of the shoulder. Three rows of stitching in the darkest colour —in this case black, with red and white and yellow—are used to ornament an otherwise plain neck and continue in a sharp V their lines to the waist. A black ribbon bow is slotted through to lie high and horizontally, and black buttons continue to meet a waist sash finished with' a similar bow. The skirt is ,cut to flare, with side and central back seam. , The one which I have sketched for you \is \of stone grey linen with dark green and red design. A little highish turned-back collar1 is cut to deep peaks I arid Wished with a brisk'flat bow af green ribbon. Full sleeves are caught in to a narrow band. . Seams and.a narrow pleat secured by three green buttons run down the bodice and a .waist sash of ribbon is also- finished with a bow. This time the lines of the bodice seams continue to slightly flaring- skirt panels both.back and front for fullness. rA; grey-straw cartwheel brim was crownless but'for1, a green ribbon Hhat passed over the head; and tied demurely under the chia, _j/ ' ' ;