FOR WOMEN Attractive New Spring Fashions

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1946, Page 8

FOR WOMEN Attractive New Spring Fashions

The first of the spring fashions made their appearance in Auckland city shops recently in window and counter displays not seen since the beginning of the war. At times the crowds at the counters were reminiscent of a pre-war half-price remnant day, thousands of women flecking to the city to make their new season’s purchases. Some very attractive shades have made their appearance and have been given such fascinating names as tropic lime, mandarin orange, totem red, rose cloud, petal pink, opaline gieen, 'Chinese cherry and Shetland beige. Designs more striking than any that have come to hand since before the war were stamped on fabrics which ranged from prints, lingerie materials and silks to coat woollens, velvets and hand-woven Shetland tweeds. Even organdie and lace, completely absent from the shops for almost seven years, were available in limited quantities.

Frivolous Hats

Dear to the heart of every woman is her new spring hat. Those offered in Auckland compare more than favourably with overseas models and are a credit to their New Zealand manufacturers. “A windowl'ul of nonsense” is how one shopper was heard to describe a display of frivolous but wholly fascinating new spring styles which a startled Auckland public will soon see perched on the heads of its womenfolk. Some new ideas that previously have been seen, only on the screen are featured. They have transparent crowns that reveal the top and back of the head, while others are bonnet styles with cut-out crowns and a posy of flowers in front. Flowers and veiling make up other models, and crinoline and tulle ruching are popular forms of trimming. Fashion has decreed that women this coming season will look both feminine and colourful. Frocks are adorned with frills, narrow pleated edgings and even beads for daytime wear, and the colour range is wide. As indicated by overseas fashion experts, mauve and purple will be popular this year, and materials and ready-made clothes in these shades were eagerly sought. Distinctive Coats As a companion to the frocks, the new season’s coats are very distinctive. One on sale was composed of fawn wool, 'with large bishop sleeves of lambswool, while another in grenadier red was startlingly trimmed with white braid. Cuddle coats made of fawn, blue or white lambswool proved attractive to shoppers, for these are useful not only lor day wear, but also for evenings, and can be worn practically the whole year round. Lightweight tweeds were on sale in a variety of. charming pastel tones, including pink, pale yellow, pale green and pale blue, and were immediately appreciated by the shoppers as ideal material for summer suits and ensembles.

To complete the spring ensemble are striking accessories. Purses are made in many arresting designs, some in the bunchy, capacious style, and others circular with handles. Plastic is frequently used for ihe clasps. Shoes are more dainty this year as well as more ‘‘dressy.” Many have attractive cut-out designs.