The Fashionable Basque

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6629, 17 August 1931, Page 9

The Fashionable Basque

Tho wave of Victorianisni that i-s coming over frocks and furnishings has brought back tho basque, which is a feature of the advance models, and will be still more in evidence as the season goes on. Incidentally, it represents an admirable means of renovating an old gown. The basque is a frilly little adornment applied to a jacket or bolero, or attached to a dress, along the natural waist-line to simulate a coat effect. It can be cut on circular lines or cleverly gored in order to give a good outstanding effect. It js useful for giving width where needed, and for hiding defects in waist and hip proportions. A too-short evening frock may easily become a modish long one, if you cut it at the waist-line, insert a deep band of matching material, and cover this with a jaunty basque. The basque may be of a different material to tho dress itself, one of brodcrio Anglaise, looking well on a georgette frock. Or one of lace on organdie. On a dress of heavier material the basque may be made of " anigel-skir ” silk, and beaded materials do equally well on dance frocks. The upper line of tho basque may bo defined by a ribbon which will be tied in the front, as if to keep the whole in place. Half-basques, or small peplums, are added to the side panels of some models so that the fullness appears only over the hips, the back and front being kept perfectly flat. This suits the plump figure better than the all-round basque of tho true Victorian era.