London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1938, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for "Thß Post/

LONDON, December 17. So accustomed had we become to mild pre-Christmas days that we are all feeling ill-used now that we are enduring a spell of "seasonable" weather with snow, icebound roads, fogs, etc. The old-fashioned Christmas with Yule log and hot drinks will be quite in the picture. One hostess brought her cocktail party right up-to-date by serving hot punch, and believe me, it was very popular and potent!

At this party hats were in the limelight. I must admit I did not think that many of the extraordinary models launched early in the season would ever be worn, but I was wrong. Women are courageous: they will still risk the censure of their male relations to wear extraordinary hats, and some almost become figures of fun in doing so, and this seems a pity. Height, and still more height, is a feature of many hats, although sometimes by being tilted backwards they do not appear so tall.

Another point that is noticeable is the liking for scarves attached to the hats. Sometimes these are draped about the face or tied under the chin, or just float down on to the shoulder. A light crepe scarf on a dark velvet hat, or less conspicuous when both match in colour but have the contrast of surface for distinction. Some toques are made entirely of draped fabric rising to a point, and the height further emphasised by a twisted ring of, the material thrust through the point to feature the forward movement. I have sketched one that was made in dark brown velvet. ' Shaped almost like an hourglass, with a twisted scarf of crepe, is another model seen and sketched. This was in deepest purple, worn with a purple wool suit with silver fox collar. Several designers have used the chimney pot as a model, usually trimming the top of the crown with flowers, feathers, or fur. One seen yesterday had zinnias in their natural' shades of yellow to deep tangerine on the top of the pot crown, a small turnup edge brim, and crepe strings tied under the chin in a "pussy cat" bow. In contrast to this height a hat called "the Sweep" had a shallow foundation shape of black felt with a swirl of osprey (imitation) exactly like a sweep's brush, entirely covering the top, with two high wired ribbons standing up in the centre, suggestive of the handle to the brush. VOGUE FOR TULLE. With the party season in full swing, tulle has become big fashion news. Picturesque styles have helped to create this vogue, and at every ball there are many of these full-skirted frocks made of masses of tulle gathered into the waistline but many yards wide ,about the hem, almost like a ballerina's" skirt but long to the ground. In brown tulle with scattered bronze sequins and a tight little brassiere bodice covered with sequins the effect was lovely on an auburn-haired girl. Black tulle with gold stars and a pale sky-blue sash suggested a summer night. While a third made of white tulle bordered with silver threads and a square-cut bodice of silver lame completed a trio worn at the same ball.

For those who prefer the slim silhouette three deep flounces are attached to a long, slim slip skirt of silver lame or satin. The flounces may be circular or finely pleated, to soften the effect while preserving the slim line.

Many frilled tulle capes are being worn for the evening as part of the dress, to be discarded occasionally when dancing, etc. Tulle scarves tied

under the chin, and- masses of tulle draped about the shoulders, are other ways of wearing this glamorous fabric.

So completely has the wheel of fashion turned full circle that a guest at the Liberal Ball this week wore a Victorian picture frock, fifty years old, that might have been designed this season. It was in tea rose satin brocade, with biscuit-coloured net, and was much admired, though no one seemed to believe its age. Another dress was made of parchment tinted satin and had cascades of the material down the back arranged in bustle fashion and might have been copied from a Victorian fashion plate. COPPERTONE STOCKINGS. While there are still as many shades of beige in stockings as sand on the seashore, one colour is fast becoming

a general favourite. It has many names, according to quality and the maker, but "Coppertone" expresses it as well as any and is the name chosen by a very well-known brand.

This shade is a warm pinky beige, richer in tone than a summer shade, and yet lighter than one usually associates with winter stockings. But it seems to look well with every coloured outfit and gives a touch of gaiety to slim legs which the new shorter and tighter skirts are exposing.

This colour looks well with black and navy shoes, as well as with London tan or nigger brown—the two popular colours in shoe leather.

"London Tan," which has been an exclusive shade for two seasons, is now to be had in standardised makes of shoes, bags, ahd gloves.

—RUTH SIBLEY,