LONDON DRESSMAKER'S ADVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 22, 25 July 1940, Page 16

LONDON DRESSMAKER'S ADVICE

THE "SIMPLE LIFE" IN SELF-DEFENCE LONDON, June 2. Hitler lias done so much tq shatter the peace and happiness of all our lives during the past dreary months that we have been inclined to overlook the many good things which persist in spite of his evil machinations. But escaping to the country, incredibly green and fresh, the meadows lush Avith golden dandelions, and the bleating of young lambs completing the symphony of renewing life, one can forget for a while the hatefulness of war.

Remembering the Chancellor of the Exchequer explaining his Budget, with his exhortation' to economise, think twice before one spends, and to save, I thought if this war lasts much longer we shall all have adopted the "simple life" in self-defence, living on a diet of nuts and fruit, clad in a sarong! "OFTEN TOO CASUAL."' I Ways and means of making clothes last are certainly of utmost importance, not only must they last, but as we shall have a smaller selection in our wardrobes they must look smart until we can discard them. Talking to a celebrated dressmaker the other day, she remarked that English women were often too casual in their choice of clothes. "Have a dress plan and keep to it," she said. "Build up a scheme on a foundation of such colours. as "black, brown, navy, or grey. Have a top coat and suit in one of these colours, and ring the changes in your accessories. A good suit of classic cut and a simply-tailored top-coat will look right for several-seasons." Then she added emphatically: "Don't wear outdoor skirts indoors,"and brush everything before you put it away, for good grooming is the secret of good dressing." COLOURED CAMEL COATS. Top "coats in particular have discarded all fussiness. They look very new, because fresh details -of fastening, pockets, material, or colour give them distinction.----i Camel hair is ultra-smart, but camel hair cloth with a difference, for instead of the natural camel colour, which, of course, is always in fashion, this year we. have such delicious colours to choose from as Guards red, ice blue, dawn. pink, emerald, off-white, navy, and black. . ; . I have sketched a model called "Cash and Carry," presumably because of the fashionable saddle bag pockets which could carry a great deal. But although I have seen these pockets on tailored skirts and short jackets, I have yet to see the symmetry of line disturbed by bulging parcels. TURBAN'S FRESH LEASE OF LIFE. The turban, which seems to have taken on a fresh lease of life, looks extremely" well with these casual coats. Made in soft Angora wool or velvet, with a scarf* of the same material in a good colour contrast, they are smart and very comfortable , for windy weather. In London they are being made in many materials for day and evening wear. One milliner shows the cleverly folded turban with a Service badge in th> front. She does them in about

fifteen different pastel colours, and they acquire an almost Oriental touch by the addition of these badges, made of silver and enamel for any of the home or overseas regiments. The less expensive furs are being used to make very fashionable wraps, suitable for wearing over light woollen dresses.

I saw a lovely hip-length cape of shaved rabbit that had a neatly-tailor-ed collar of stitched woollen and two pockets outlined with the same stitching. Boleros, long and short, loose swing jackets just reaching the hips, with collar, fronts, and sleeves edged with stitched woollen, are being shown in many shades of grey and brown, also black rabbit and ordinary lamb. E. RUTH SIBLEY.