Chat From Paris HOLIDAY TROUSSEAU

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 23

Chat From Paris

HOLIDAY TROUSSEAU

A noliday trousseau is essentially-a t sensible one. But it is not at all easy ■ to be sensible in the preparation for one's marriage, especially if one is surrounded by kindly friends who offer their kindly advice on every detail. Things that should, and can, be straight-forwardly planned become bewilderingly confusing. Almost without your knowledge you are being influenced by your girl friends' preferences and tastes until you suddenly realise that you yourself have none. You thought you had very decided ones, but your mind is full of doubts— a confusion of. what is "useful." mere- " Iy "charming," or "aosolutely neces^ safy." ■ ; Gf course, it is the great opportunity for discarding lavishly all the things you've never really liked or that haven't quite suited you. You have everyone's permission to dispose of :them once and for all and start afresh without that wretched feeling of extravagance assailing the conscience. PLAN SIMPLY^ The thing to do is to plan very simply. Today's accessories are so many and varied and usually so irresistible that the. real need, lies. with .tile heed for a, sturdy "skeleton" wardrobe. This. can. be filled in later, or, as you proceed, but it should never be neglected or thrust aside in the eh- - thusiasm over fripperies. Nothing is ■;;■ 'so misery-making for everyone as that . feverish last-minute shopping, and the < sensible girl's trousseau, should not ; demand it. ■ ■ One important point is to look ahead. Buy clothes that will take you at lqast into the next quarter-year. Too many brides hieing off in, say, late summer, come back looking,chilly and a trifle tawdry and bleak. Among all the mellow and comfortable colours of autumn they, are apt to look so out of place that it is. necessary to go a-trousseau-ing yet once more. SPRING'S BRIDE. For a bride who marries in spring the problem is not so difficult. Her mid-weight garments should take her into autumn if they are, carefully '~ chosen. Summer can be easily filled in with "diaphanous nothings," but winter calls for adaptations ,and "addings-to." Important at all seasons is the fur coat. If it is to be one only, then it must be a lightweight. See that it is not cumbersome but neatly tailored and as suitable for formal occasion . day wear as for evening. A tweed coat is a joy to possess. If you are wise you will avoid a dark colour.l It ( shows dust and gives a stifling appearance on the occasions of its lesser uses, such as flung about , your shoulders while you watch other " people's tennis. A striped herringbone or a light shepherd's plaid are ... good suggestions. A macintosh is not to be ignored. See that it is big enough to be worn over your suits, and not crush or cling : to summer dresses in a shower. *-•=■;•:£ afnong the sensible and necessary items comes the tweedy-flecked lightweight wool outfit that will prove indispensable.' INDISPENSABLE TWO-PIECE. The. one I have sketched for you consists of neatly-tailored frock, full- i length coat,. and' hat to match. It can j be brightened' as the days expand by " bright contrasting accessories and .the happy mode that leaves things swinging jauntily whenever weather permits. Belt, zipped neck-fastening and breast pocket of the dress are heavily stitched in darker tone. The coat is loosely . lined with bright contrasting colour. The; hat is very mannish, yfith the new > multi-coloured tweeds

any shade may be worn successfully and with each different colour emphasis of hat, shoes, gloves, purse, etc., the suit will seem to gloriously change its identity.

Over stockings and undies alone you may be sheerly extravagant. They are always useful and so easily packed. Packing that used to be such an agony of invention, and later of cMsappointments, need not disturb the bride of today. A new suitcase will hold happily at least two dance frocks, two dinner frocks, a cocktail ' frock, a couple of uncrushable linens, and one in weblike wool—all these apart from the compartmented tray lid that will hold innumerable oddments besides several pairs of shoes.