SOME NEW NOTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 18

SOME NEW NOTIONS

There are just a few more weeks for us to let our Heads go in light and airy fashion. At the end of this time the westher, or the tempting new autumn displays in the stores, or the combination of both the elements and •the elegant expression of seasonable style will have found manifestation in our attire. I told you all I knew about the snow-white vogue, but for something really new in the late summer line, do listen to the excitements that are offering. As always the gamut of the mode runs to glorious extremes. Snow-white led off with flares of acclaim to be followed by the newest of startling sensations—coal black. This anthracite hue makes those lovely thin crepe dresses that you notice are so utterly simple and yet give you that soignee look on midsummery days, magnificently whittle down your figure, and go serenely through the busiest day in town to end up dancing or dining .it any time of night when formal evening dress is not called for. What is more, the' simple little black dress, with a change of hat and accessories, goes right on through autumn with equal success. You will find coal black looks best in sheer weighted jerseys, mossy crepes, and dull-surfaced wool-de-laines. Contrarily, it looks e.qually attractive but with a real, sparklingly brittle charm when found in short satin dresses that go to town or out in the evening. RISING TO THE OCCASION. The hats that go with such frocks are mere acid drops of conversational wit. They permit the wearer never

a dull moment for,'with her hair upswept and one of these surmounting it, her main preoccupation will be to keep it in the same sublimely smart position as arranged before her mirror and not let it fall to the ridiculous angle all the laws of gravity dictate. Some of these daring new sky-riders that give a spirited accent to black frocks and usher in autumn with superb sophistication, have high towering crowns. Others rise to new heights in forward-jutting twists of antelope, swathes of ribbon, or spearing quills. The neatest black ensembles show no other touch of colour in the whole outfit from top to toe except for the flesh tint of stockings and the subtle enchantment of peony-shaded cosmetics. Often it is only the make-up which provides the touch of colour, the stockings being of black silk so sheer as to be almost gossamer overj the legs; and these are very, very becoming. But the average woman, in spite of the knowledge that this all-black severity is the last word in chic, is wise enough to realise that, in all probability, only the young and fresh of colouring can stand such a starklyfocused high -light on their complexions. So they add little touches of white at the throat or gay splashes of chunky

CHARTING THE COLOURS THAT GO TO TOWN

gold jewellery at the wrists. They wear colourful posies and gaudy scarves to distract all attention from the face. Still, the unadorned way is quite the newest thing—if you can take it! BLACK AND BLUE. Black does not play a lone hand with the trump cards of fashion. There is also ink blue,, the darling of Paris. Some choose to call it dinner jacket blue, this shade that is as dusky as the sky at. midnight and so becoming to one's good looks. You'll see it in pleated and draped frocks and in short chiffon dresses and lovely creations made entirely of bands of fringe or rows of tucks. Ink blue in cloquey fabric is the rendition of the theme that has taken the stylists by storm both here and abroad. They like slick little dresses of the nobby weave to wear now in the afternoons with funny frivolous little hats and pretty accessories. Later they will wear them under tweedy coats and with furs.' For that little bit of warmth when the first really chill days approach there are costumes t:that embody the latest in full-skirted silhouettes with tailored jackets that are restrained enough for morning sports occasions or tea in ..town. COSY CLOTHES. Bright multi-coloured woollen makes the jackets, checked or striped in splendid colour combinations. The dress beneath is of finer monotone woollen afghanline or velveteen with the fullness of the skirt achieved by umbrella tucks, pleats, or circular cut.

! This same silhouette prevails in cocktail or tea-dance frocks which vie with the paradise birds in the metallic shades of the moire or lame which i are the fabrics almost invariably used I for them. Vivid azure blues and j shot silk reds and violets liven the I scene that otherwise would have been stolen by the coal-black or ink-blue vogues. Did I mention taffeta? For formal daytime hours there are little taffeta frocks that also conform to the wider skirt line and are as apart in style from the slinky draped black or blue models as the poles. This means that there are no silhouette restrictions, though, to make the most of yourself in the newest colours and fabrics, you will need to conform to the descriptions I have just outlined. These are, in resume, that taffeta, moire, lame, metallics, sheer chiffons, and some thin woollens are best in slim-bodiced flaring-skirted styles, whereas the svelte cloqueys, crepes, and jersey materials are the ones for draping into slim and slender gowns that, to outward appearances, look as if one had been poured into them. Of all the fabrics mentioned, satin is the only one that looks well either way.