PARIS WOMEN’S MODES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1944, Page 6

PARIS WOMEN’S MODES

“ESSENTIALLY YOUTHFUL” PARIS', September 7. Cycling is the only means of transport in Paris, and women, have had to adapt their clothes to meet the situation.

Full, short skirts were the answer to transport problems. The women are wearing dirndl types of dresses, or pleated skirts with blouses of contrasting colour.

Food restrictions, and a good deal of exercise, have slimmed the Paristenne Considerably. This fact permitted designers to stress natural curves, neat waists, form-fitting bodices and sloping shoulders. The general effect is essentially youthful. Hats? when worn, are enormous, with high sloping crowns, elaborately draped, and floppy brims. Turbans are voluminous and deftly draped, always in some bright print with unusual colour effects.

Large pendant earrings are also in vogue. They are made of plastic material fashioned into floral clusters and other motifs.

Exaggerated platform-soled, heelless sandals, also in vivid colour combinations have tops usually made in cloth. These contribute to give the Parisienne an easy swinging gait. There is a wealth of new ideas in costume jewellery as well as in handbags. Bags are mostly of the satchel type. Most women are bare-legged. But sheer silk hose can still be found, or stockings made of a very fine glass m v - 2 thread.

A dress in a model house costs anything from £5O to £75. Shoes made to measure can be had for £2O, but this is a minimum price. Hats start at £l5.

A visit to the hairdresser usually means a bill of 45/-, for a shampoo, rinse and setting. A deposit has to be left for hairpins supplied, because of their great scarcity. Perfume and cosmetics have in-

creased by only about 20 per cent, on pre-war prices. In department stores prices have about trebled.