NEW BEACH FASHIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1934, Page 9

NEW BEACH FASHIONS.

brilliant prints. We have become so accustomed to being startled by the beach attire of each successive season becoming a little more audacious than that ot the year before, that it is in itself almos startling to find nothing to be surprised at. in the bathing fashions ot 1931 (writes the London correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald ). Perhaps audacity had gone as lai as it dared—the shorts and brassiei etop suits of last year were a far ciy from the modest, all-enveloping garb women swimmers in the early part ot the century splashed about in, in double sense. But, whatever the reason, distinction of design in swimming suits alid skill of cut in beach attire rather than innovation of style seem to be the points the designers have concentrated on this year. The one outstanding new note of the season is Tahitian in inspiration. Our beach maidens have gone native. Tahitian costumes in brilliantly printed fabrics are quite the smartest thing. The design of the costumes is said to follow South Seas ideas but, as I have never been there, I have to take the statement from the designers on faith.

They consist of knickers cut so as to look like a swathe of material round the hips. The waist is left bare, and the bodice is modestly cut in front, with broadfish sections at the shoulder-line instead of the narrow straps we have become- used to, which tie at the back of the neck in rabbit’s ear bows. This and a similar bow at the back of the waist, formed by tying strips of material which extend from the front of the bodice, is all there is to the back. I saw an attractive outfit of this type, with great white tropical flowers spashed over a navy blue background. A neckline of tiny sea shells threaded into a rope was worn with it.

Many of the new bathing suits are woven to imitate the woollen dr'ess fabrics of the moment. They have similar waffle ami nubbied patterns. And if you want to be smart your suit must have a square neckline in front or one of those halter necks where the gown extends in a point to the base of the throat and is secured round the neck by a narrow strip, leaving the shoulders bare. Yellow, orange, and sunburn colours, which have not been very much in the swim for some time, are to the fore, though nearly all plain colours are good. If they seem too plain, one of the new belts in multi-coloured plaited straw or in twisted rope will pronounce to the world that you are up to the minute with your swimming suit.

In beach suits, almost everything but our old friend the beach pyjama is smart. There are trimly cut frocks with flared skirts, square necks, and no back to speak of; “shorts” that feature a new length, neither really short, nor long, and worn with shirts or jumpers; and one-piece affair? with frock-like tops and pleated shorts instead of skirts, reminding one inevitably of children’s play rompers.

There is a big difference between the abbreviated shorts of the last two seasons and these new ones. They come within two inches of the knee, and instead of being mannish in character, have complicated insets of pleating, to give the tailored effect of the shorts worn by women champions at Wimbledon, and making them incidentally, anything but good material for the cheap copyist. With many of these romper suits quaint necklets are worn, emphasising their character as frocks as distinct from pyjamas. I saw one which combined chromium and cork, and had a miniature anchor as pendant, and another had the figure of a Jack Tar hanging at the base of the throat. It was made in. wire painted and twisted to look like a coil of rope. Some beach suits of the brassiere-cum-shorts are made in luxury fabrics, such as heavy printed chuddish silks or poplins, and I saw one with a smart little coolie coat, with the characteristic wide sleeves, as third garment. Handkerchiefs have gone more nautical than ever. They are printed with crossed flags, seagulls, and many devices newer than the anchor motif. Sometimes they are used in Turkey red or an equally vivid colour to make beach bags, waterproof lined. There is the inevitable leavening of freak motions. Ono girl seen on an English beach had a seahorse cut out in sticking plaster stuck to her back while she sun-bathed. When she appeared in her dance frock in the evening the seahorse in white between her shoulders was thrown into relief by the browned skin surrounding it.