BRITISH TEXTILES

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1938, Page 7

BRITISH TEXTILES

effect OF bearmamext. (London Correspondent). Prospects for the British Industries Fair are considered to be good by exhibitors at the British Textiles Exhibition, which will form the Textiles Section of the Fair at Earls Court from February 21 to March 4. Most textile markets have so far been little affected by the recession in trade. In cotton piece goods, exports to 24 markets showed a distinct improvement in November compared with a year ago, including Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, the Hutch Indies and nine European countries, while the figures for rayon and silk manufactures are well above last year. Scottish exhibitors anticipate that an increased use of tartan for outdoor and evening dress wear will result from the strong national sentiment arising from next year’s Empire Exhibition at Glasgow. Since a true kilt requires seven yards oif single width material, the industry would benefit appreciably if the kilt took the place of shorts. One result of rearmament has been a boom in overalls. A Liverpool exhibitor who employs a thousand workers in preparing to erect a new plant which is expected to be the largest overall factory in the Empire. The amorphous overall of the past is being replaced today by specialised, well-fitting clothing for each trade. There are nineteen sfvles for waiters alone—more liygenic than ‘‘tails”—and the latest call Is a widespread and spontaneous demand lor dance band outfits with contrasting colours for the collars and lapels. Modern factories too are demanding distinctive overalls for each department.

A new feature from Yorkshire is the four-piece suit which has an extra weekend sports jacket made in a check specially designed to harmonise with the quieter pattern of the suit. It is a neat alternative to the sports jacket and flannel trousers, which can be changed at the office and worn from Saturday to Monday for an out-of-town week-end. The overcoat, too, can be made of the check material.

Displays of pile fabrics by the United Kingdom’s leading producers will be a feature ol the soft furnishings', wnllo in bed coverings there is a. movement towards pastel shades and period designs.

In summer dress materials ingenious delust ml and frosted effects will be shown, together with new combinations of printing and embossing. For blouses there is a lustrous louis cite sheer made of. fine Egyptian cotton and a number of new developments are Eeing prepared by leading London houses for the fashion parades. Iridescent silk stockings which shimmer and assume a different colour in artificial light will be shown bv a Liveinool firm which has the largest hosrorv factory in Europe. The finest ones are of silk from top to toe, have oyer a million stitches, and are niide in 5b minutes.