NEWS FROM LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 23146, 21 December 1938, Page 19

NEWS FROM LONDON

[Ry M. S. Rrimmer.]

LONDON, November 29. FREAK FASHIONS. Never in the varied history of fashion has there been such a boom in ridiculous headgear—for hats you cannot call them, since they afford no protection from windj sun, or rain. I asked a dress specialist why we are having this painful spasm, and he answered that though experts can generally foretell and explain trends, this time they are nonplussed. _ One can only put it down to the instinct in all of us to jump over the traces now and then. And since at the moment all is unrest, with a horrid dash of war scare, and no one dare spend much, then for heaven’s sake let us make a splash with the little we have. _ Actually from 2s 6d upwards any girl, dr elderly woman tor that matter, caff find _ a colour to suit her, and some little tw'ist of felt to stick right over one eye, or at least at a perilous angle on the brow. No rhyme or reason anywhere 1 As for trimmings, they are on the same level, cock feathers planted dart-like, mixed with scraps of fur, and as a final eyesore a solid band of velvet or other heavy material round the back of the head to keep the microscopic bit of fun on You do. however, occasionally find some sensible idea materialise. I liked specially the fur coat whose large collar could turn up over the head, the two ends being fastened with a zip so as to form a hooded bonnet. Really snug and elegant. Rather amusing, too, was the other one, complete chinchilla (I think it was) for the hat, with the tail down the back of the head, two large cloth ears of the same material as the coat sticking straight up, the animal face peeping over the forehead and the fastening paws. For evening wear with a cloak or mantle the best I saw was at Schiaparelli’s. Imagine a lovely Victorian widow’s cap, but with only_the slightly K':ed part standing an inch or two over the head. This was in a dainty shade of pink, the same used for the enormous ribbons to tie under the chin. The final arid most beautiful touch was in the fine black veil that drooped over the back to the nape of the neck. This little article runs into a. large sum, and would only_do when it exactly matches the Victorian dress, crinoline’, and all, with which It is supposed to be worn. VICTORIAN EVENINGS, Having started with a Victorian widow, let us continue the career of the modern nineteenth century damsel. Curves have been insinuating* themselves for a year or two now, and it looks as if success will crown their efforts at last. Those of you who have pretty sloping shoulders can show them off with the new-old completely bare fashion, hut you have to manipulate your undergarments, as shoulder straps must not be in evidence. Jt looks as if the bad old days of boned corsets are due back, too. Several big “ houses ” showed full crinolines, and with them even the long shawl, with its triangle down the back. But materials are of more beautiful shades, and on tho whole more elegant texture, too. Long gloves, to match thd gown or headdress, are back now, not in kid or suede, but more in velvet, net or even embroidery. And this reminds me that embroidery is to make us happy once again, for here any good needlewoman can make herself fashionable. One lovely gown was in grey crepe, embroidered in. autumn leaves down the front, with russet gloves, whose seams were camouflaged with thin lines of black net.

With this went a coat, fitting to the waist, then flared, and finished off amusinglv with six, yes six, little pockets that looked like Dresden china. DAY WEAR. The only original thing about day dresses is the length of skirt, which is now definitely short, almost up to the knees. Which is perhaps why we are so keen on floor-touching wear t for evening parties. Smart little tailored suits are “ IT,” and under the jacket you wear blouses more or less trimmed. A lot of black is worn this year—lf as a whole dress, the coat is slightly longer. Indeed, the dress-cum-coat >mit is perhaps rather later than the jacket and skirt, since it gives more scope for a pretty frock. Seams are hidden by thick piping, or perhaps the bodice will be trimmed with wide and rather heavy ribbon. Unusual was the metal trimming on one I saw; bells, tassels, anything will do. It is in the matter of furs that those of us who have old ones stored; away can rejoice. Bring out your sealskins, skunk, bear, beaver, fitch, and ail the rest of them; thev are the very latest. Take your long fur tie, throw it over

your shoulder in the good old way, but add a fur pocket to the ends, and there you are. High collars are permitted, but must no longer hang, or rather hop, down the front. Give them a military stand-up line, If you are clever enough to use Woolworth jewellery, sew ft to make a muzzle for your I'ox jhead, and then Bond Street will be satisfied.

This is a season of feathers, i mentioned those on hats, but you can go even better, and line your coat with baby ones, chicken or swahsdowfi.

Two final little tit-bits. Don’t be startled if you see women wearing finger muffs, rather ridiculous, really, and most impractical. Paris had her first glimpse of this when an ultrasmart one had each finger swathed in tiger skin to match her hat. if you are forgetful, you can now embroider your initials on the sides of your skirts; not that one usually forgets these. PERSONAL ITEMS. Miss Kathleen M'Kerrow has gone to Brussels, where she will probably stay for some little time. Mr Alan C. Browne, F.R.G.S.. artist and leoturer ; is doing very well over here with his illustrated lectures, one on the Tasman Glacier region, and the other on the North Island Sir Hugh Walpole took the chair at one of the recent lectures, and next day Mr Browne delivered the Lord Armstead’s Trust lecture at the Caird Hall, Dundee.

Tho Rev. .Father J. N. Pound, who came over recently to further his studies in Rome, expects to return to New Zealand next year. The Ven. Archdeacon C. C. Harper is now living in Gloucestershire, enjoying a well-earned leisure after a strenuous life, many years of which were spent in hard work in remote districts of New Zealand.

The High Commissioner and Mrs Jordan earned laurels during their recant official visit to Wales, The Mayor of Cardiff received them; then came a visit to Aberdare, followed by others to Portbcawl, Merthyr, and Dowlois. They were the guests of Mr George Hall, M.P. for Aberdare, once the district represented by Keir Hardie, and of Mrs Hall. Miss Kathleen Primmer has just accepted a commission from the wellknown publishers, A. and C. Black, to do a book on Scandinavian costume. It will probably be out next autumn, and is likely to be a handsome volume, with eight colour plates and about 64 pages of black and white designs, which will include not only costumes; but jewellery, items of everyday life, and so on. The countries touched on will be Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. As this is primarily an art book, the letter-press will be of less importance, but, such ae it is, Mrs Primmer will write it.