LONDON FASHION NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 15, 18 July 1939, Page 14

LONDON FASHION NOTES

LONDON, June 15.

Although Ascot is shorn of its greatest attraction this year—the Royal procession down the course —this still remains the most wonderful week of the summer season. The perfect setting of green lawns and profusion of flowers, the shady paddock, the gaiety in the luncheon tents, and hundreds of beautiful women gowned in the height of fashion—give this uniq.ue race meeting the appearance of an immense garden party. One can make a four-day visit to Ascot a costly outing. On the other hand, hundreds of people have a grand time with picnic luncheons on the j heath. Spread out before them on the other side of the covxrse is the whole colourful pageant of Royal enclosure and grandstands, and the finest racing in the world. Why is it that racing is always mentioned last in connection with Ascot? The tradition of women's clothes seems to have claimed first importance, and from a fashion point of view it is watched by experts all over the world. But the Ascot tradition is changing. Dress designers have been urging less decorative styles for several seasons, and at last have succeeded in persuading women that trailing, flimsy gowns are unsuitable for a racecourse. This year simple lines and short skirts are the outstanding features, and with a sudden drop in temperature after the recent heat wave, furs were a necessity. 'Once again hats of every shape and size focus attention, and the brightpatterned floral frock under a plain coloured coat is still the summer favourite. But I always feel the men steal the fashion pictures at Ascot —immaculate in tails and grey top hats, they are a perfect background for the women's fashions. TURBANS ARE NEWS. The very newest millinery revival j is the draped turban, which is having such an immense vogue in New Yoric and which threatens to become equally popular in London. Curious how this comfortable little hat comes back every few seasons, slightly altered as to drapery, but still a turban. It is a style to suit all pockets, because it can be quite cheaply made. But it can become an expensive model when luxurious fabrics are twisted by clever fingers. The present vogue was foreshadowed by the fur turbans of last autumn— these you are probably wearing now. The touch of fur trimming on millinery and coats is a becoming fashion that made a great appeal and which will be further developed later in the year. ' Some coats were so lavishly trimmed with fur that the material was almost hidden: Others had fur sleeves or fur yokes—fur collars, pockets, belts, revers,- hems,- or fronts —but seldom fur cuffs. A small fur collar and large patch pockets to match is a smart idea for long coats or suit jackets both in town materials or country tweeds. GREY AND BROWN. Althovigh bright colours are so important this year, many women still prefer neutral shades for autumn and winter. The combination of grey with brown trimmings strikes a new note that is also very becoming. Grey coats and suits trimmed with brown furs are most attractive and easy to match up with brown accesJ sories. I have seen the scheme reversed—£ brown coat trimmed with grey fox, also a brown suit trimmed

"MEN STEAL THE FASHION PICTURE"

with grey lamb, but I do not think this is so successful.

On the other hand, a grey lamb -joat and cap worn over a brown dress is very smart indeed.

These woollen dresses should be chosen carefully to carry one into next season. If you look for simple lines that do not date you can add

new details, such as belts, collars, buttons, etc., to bring them up to the minute. Simplicity of line will*be the fashion you will need later for your spring frock, and one frock well cut and made is better than several h\different dresses that do not hang or fit well.

This is especially important of the woollen dress. One can get away with casual fit in summery clothes, but not in tailored suits or frocks. Modern jewellery is so decorative that it needs a plain dress to set it off.

The black woollen frock probably owes its popularity to the fact, chat it provides a perfect background for the barbaric necklaces, brooches, and pendants, often made of massive gold and huge coloured stones, that are so fashionable.

The wearing of "costume" jewellery is on the increase, and new designs are constantly being brought out, but fortunately one can get lovely specimens quite cheaply. "Gold" as setting or completely fashioning these orna- [ ments is perhaps the most popular of all this year. t E. RUTH SIBLEY.