BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 19 September 1933, Page 9

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

SPRING AND THE FASHIONS.

SHOPPING REVIVAL IN SYDNEY. Spring is here, and all the activities that this joyous season brings have made a brilliant advent. Not for several years has the outlook been sobright as it is at present (says the Sydney Morning Herald). “pring comes like an enchantment. The days grow warmer and longer, sweeter a.nd fresher with the fragrance of the flowers, and gladder with the singing and the twittering of the birds. And everyone seems to be feeling the influence of the happier conditions. At last there are some substantial grounds for the optimism that generally prevails; and this buoyancy that has come with the call of spring has been stimulated by the rise in wool and by the beneficent rainfalls. One of the best signs of the times is the improved shopping. The large retail houses seem to be well pleased so far with the shopping revival, which has been verv marked during the last few days. The shop's, with their gay and alluring displays of lighter and brighter articles of wear, are certainly among the brightest and most magnetic spots in the city at the moment. They are the Meccas of the fair sex, and are being thronged all day long. Spring being the harbinger of fashion, the shop windows have an irresistible fascination for womenfolk at this season of all seasons, and not for several years has the shopping traffic been more brisk. The new materials tnd the correct textures and colours to be worn are topics of discussion that probably transcend in interest most other topics in feminine circles at the moment. _ This, it seems, is more largely than in the past to be a cotton season, though sdlss have not lost favour; and the cottons, and the silks as well, have patternings of field flowers or floral designs, and these, combined with the stripes and spots, which also are well in the fashion picture, give a vivid note of colour. The cotton materials are really very gay. Linen goods are, it is stated, the biggest sellers among the washing fabrics. Hats and bags of white and coloured linen and pique, and knitted string, made up into handbags and belts, are said to express the latest note of fashion among what are called the accessories of women’s apparel. There is an extraordinary large range of materials being offered by the shops, and never so many textures and shades; and this year the thrifty housewives themselves seem agreed that at last everything really is very cheap. Most of the cottons still come from England, but some come from America, and the silks from France, America and Japan. It is pleasing to find that local manufactures are coming to the fore. This especially is the rase- with shoes, millinery, frocks of all kinds, and underwear, the new delustred material being in favour. Altogether there is a very noticeable brightness about everyone and everything, that vastly contrasts with the dark days left behind; and that we have really turned the corner there seems to be no longer any room for doubt. All the exliilirating sporting events and festivities shortly will be in in full swing. The A.J.C. spring meeting and the cricket season both open at the end of the month. Surfers soon will be flocking to the beaches. Hiking parties already are exploring the bush, which in many places is gloriously carpeted with wild flowers. In the gardens everything is growing wondrously. For spring has come in with a rush, and maybe it is a happy augury that it has come earlier this year than, for some years past.