London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

I - : Specially Written tor "The Post" - ,

LONDON, December 22

> "The "Great Freeze"; has arrived,-and -the'snow has giVeri'the countryside the "appropriate Christmassy1- look. ' But the east. wind! Well, 'I hope all those who have - grumbled -at i our mild winter are enjciying the experience of pinchedlookihg laces ' and unbecoming ''blue noses," for I have .yet'to -find a- woman who lachieves those.;;"rosy: cheeks and .sparkling eyes'' :supposed: to be, acquired. iri .winter '-weather,, : '.'■ ■ '■■'

Outdoor fashions in. London -at the | moment consist, .of the warmest coat j one possesses and scarves to muffle- one !to the eyes, and style does not matter J two hoots! -So t am' going indoors [for my inspiration this .week, and to j new shows of Riviera! fashions, which' always appear.;. during the coldest weather. .Vv.. / ...' • ' J TUCKS ARfehFAVOURED., ! Of day clothes,-I-liked-a frock in rose-coloured crepe that relied on fine -tucking for'decoration' arid' Style; "bodice: was1 = (juite r-;plain > -'jwit.h square ;neck,'sha^ buttoned down- the front !to half-way down the'skirt with' crepecovere&'buttons.; > But from just .under the.bust .to tarell.-over; the hips the: fitting bodice; Wets ducked on : the wrong side," tio-rmbjild; r.the' figure* Short sleeves were' tucked in the same 'way, and the' skirt was flared about the hem. .

A black crepe "dress had the bodice and sleeves made entirely of tucks, with a bit of white , ruffled lace, -dace ruffles in the short sleeves and to line in t the hem of the skirt gave this frock an air, of. sophisticated simplicity. A tricolour scheme that was original showed a grey skirt of fine flannel, a very lightweight tweed jacket in mustard colour, lined with mulberryspotted foulard to match the blousegrey, yellow, and mulberry—a really charming ■ colour scheme, for all types 'of/imaterial. ;—: ' ' / : "'' ''■' ' SLACKS, SHORTS, OR SKIRTS? ;

Holiday and play clothes receive so much attention these days that designers try to strike a new, note each year. Arid so the question arises: Are we going back to skirts following the trend towards the picturesque in all other types of clothes? There certainly are a great many skirted play clothes which follow the dirndl or gathered peasant type, and these are adapted for blouses or sunbathing brassiere tops. But the trend, this season is to an increased number of slacks, worn with almost every type of shirt or blouse. /These new slacks, although easy fitting, are beautifully cut and usually made of softest, flannel or jersey cloth, so that one can lounge and remain uncrumpled. One good pair of slacks and a. variety of blouses would see one through a holiday more sue- ; i cessfully than many fluffy frocks. -' A tailored shirt, a square-necked blouse of printed cotton, a loose blouse that is full over the trouser belt, and a short skirt —cut straight at the' boU torn and worn .outside the slacks—are a few of .the styles seen in new col-j lections. i The odd jacket of printed linen,' etc., which is a perennial favourite, is ] this year cut on bolero lines, with short sleeves above the elbow having a little fullness at the shoulder. HAT AND BAG TO MATCH. Summer, hats lean towards great, variety rather than a few expensive models, and something that gives a touch of novelty to • a simple frock is much to be desired.

-A'hat'and bag of the same fabric is featured in many materials. Some are costly styles, but the majority favour types that suggest the country or smart beach resorts. . .

THE "GREAT FREEZE" ARRIVES

I have sketched one made in straw, with wool yarn flowers embroidered on it and velvet ribbons to tie under the chin and make the handle of the bag that accompanies it. The bag is lined with one of the colours, but the hat can, be unlined if preferred. .; , A secctod. sketch shows a very, gftpd styled, hat in-'pririted lyrien, with .bag of the1 sanie material, which .is quite easy to make. ' - • This type of hat , with high, pointed crown and wide brim, is good in any mate/ial—straw, stitched linen, or silk and pastel-coloured felt-—and is usually worn untrimmed, except for a ribbon band and ends.'l' ■'': ; BRIDAL FAsifilONS. , : :I never remember so many important weddings in December, and certainly this year's styles are ideal for the picturesque bridal retinue. At an all-white wedding at St. Margaret's, the bride wore a full-skirted, almost panniered, jgqwrv of silver lame. with a large "bouquet of silver and .white arum lilies.. Her bridesmaids, m full, white organdie frocks over silver slips, also had large Edwardian bouquets of white flowers—a charming revival after . so. many sheaves, tiny posies, floral muffs, etc. ' "■■',:. ■_. v Another bridal retinue showed ths bridesmaids with long tulle veils tached to tiny circlets of flowers, fnd tulle ruffled frocks, while one br^de i wore a long, close-fitting gown of satin, with square neck and long sleeves over the hands. ' > ■ Use unwanted paper bags as holders for old letters, papers, and orangepeel, or anything likely to be burned under the fuel copper. ■'.- This makes easier work when burning rubbish. To mend a hole W a tub, roof, etc., paint the hole first with any kind of old paint, and, while it is wet, dab putty on it. It sets like cement.

To prevent children from putting on their clothes the wrong way ■ round when dressing themselves, work a small star on the front of the garments on the wrong side.