A FRENCHWOMAN’S NOTEBOOK

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1111, 3 April 1930, Page 3

A FRENCHWOMAN’S NOTEBOOK

OUR FASHION LETTER I j (By Colline Rouff) * j There is a decided tendency towards variety in hut materials. fhe big Fronen modistes started it when they muue liats Oj. velvet, satin, gios-giain, iwoed aud cioth, instead of tue eternal felt. I do not deny that felt, hats have their al.ure—they always will be popular, out this season at any rate, they will be more or ross reserved for sports. We are going to have delicate straws ! and straw materials to wear at other ' times. and dear little beret-shaped ! hats will be made of braid which is a i mixture of straw and silk, i The bra.d is very narrow indeed and | dozens of yards of it will go to one I hat. Coiophune cloth is anouier straw material vvh.ch will be used for the brims of hats made in two materials, ami se.doiu shall we find a hat developed in one material only! Talking of Pink Talking of that rose pink hat reminds me that I have seen a great deal of pink used with a soft misty grey. 1 am told by various designers that pink is to come well to the front, after having been overshadowed so long by yellows and greens. Hundreds of women wi-1- be glad of this, for there is no colour like it for making the best of us. It is a kind, soft and happy shade —if, of course, it is the right shade! But there are people who, given the whole gamut of tones from which to choose, must needs choose the wrong ones. It is the real tone we want, like the La France rose. Shantung silk, thick crepe de chine, silk marocain and fine fluffy woollen cloth will be produced in the “right” shades, and made into smart little tennis, walking, and afternoon frocks. And Grey! And then here is grey, which has had a definite “come back,” as they say on the stage. Perhaps this is why the pinks are with us again, for no two colours go so well together. Blue-and-grey is depressing, green-and-grey is not sympathetic, and grey-and-yel-low is becoming only to a few. Another combination that is being used is amethyst and grey, but I find that rather ‘ ‘ elderly. ’ ’ It seems quaint to see grey suede shoes placed among the best and most expensive models again. But what shoes! Slim court shapes, and those with very short fronts, fine silk cord lacings, and little acorn tags of grey enamel and ivory. Felt and Straw Felt with straw will be quite popular. Tagel, with fine felt bands on the brims; beautiful fine crochet hempen straw, with inlet medallions and felt brims —these combinations will be most worn. Crochet is much favoured. A fine silky straw is being used a lot. When it leaves the hands of the women who work it into “hoods” it is as limp as rag and it is in this, state that some modistes are using it for evening wear. The back of the brim falls round the back of the neck like a frill, the front is caught up over the.; crown, and, as trimming, small jewelled clips or clusters of flowers are placed just above the ears. . A lovely hat for the south was as big as a wheel! The crown was small and fitted closely to the little head it was made to adorn. The top was soft rose pink, and the under brim was creamy caramel —a tint that is very becoming to a slightly sun-goldened skin. And the whole hat was made of felt as smooth as satin and no thicker! No trimming was on it, but if its severity proved a little uninteresting there was an ornament of rose crystal and diamonds to be added at the will of its owner.