Button Details Add to Styles

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7270, 25 September 1933, Page 2

Button Details Add to Styles

Buttons continue to be such an interesting fashion detail that they prove an important asset in the quitek restyling of almost any garment, Avkether for house or outdoor Avear. The woman Avho does her own seAving is usually apt to notice the advantages of these button details as-displayed on model garments in the shops, and realises the rejuvenating results possiblo Avith tho minimum expenditure of time, labour, and money. Many of the so-called “convertible” tricks of tho modern wardrobe owe their somewhat amusing versatility to the ingenious placement and use of colourful, well-choseu buttons. A favourite instance is the high or low neckline, the change being accomplished merely by buttoning tho loose, Tight side of the front to a button —or buttons —on the loft shoulder. This gives tho high neckline. Unbuttoned, tho right side hangs loose in a graceful rever, often disclosing a contrasting vcstec or bit of dainty lingerie Even the buttonholes may lend a colourful touch if piped to harmonise Avith the shade of the buttons. When. the front of a worn waist must be disguised, no better model than this could be chosen. An extra rever, turning back over tho one attached to tho waist, may be of white pique, if tho dross happens to be navy- or black, AA'ith buttonholes piped in the dark colour and buttons in a modernistic design of both colours. Tho cuffs should repeat the button and buttonhole effect. P.uttoncd-On Trimmings. Much fashion interest attaches to the \-ariious “button-on” trimmings, the buttons being not merely decorative but placed to perform efficient service iD the anchoring of such details as capelets, epaulets, scarfs, collars, and other removable accessories. The folds of a cowl nock, for instance, will be sure to keep in place if held by two or three ornamental buttons cither in front or at one side.

A wayward neck scarf can have a short end buttoned on the left shoulder with the long end passing around the neck, to meet the buttons at the front closing. A. tabbed collar, with a bright, button in each tab, may form a neat little path for a too fly-away scarf —and so it goes! One of the prettiest of the buttoiicd-on accessories is a scarf capclet that criss-crosses over the front and buttons on each side, over a vertically placed row of buttons almost under the arms.

Two-Purpose Outfit An astonishing two-purpose outfit owes its transformation to the clever use of buttons. The foundacion frock is dark brown crepe with white polka dots. The belt has two large brown buttion at centre of back and front, giving a basilic affect in each case Smaller buttons arc set vertically as far down as the elbows of the long sleeves. Tor street wear and travelling, the wearer buttons to the belt of frock a brown skirt of sheer wool, which separates sufficiently in front to take advantage of the low set pleats in the frock. A jaunty eapclet buttons to the sleeves. It has a scarf neckline, adjustable in many ways and partially concealing the front of the frock. There is nothing in this double-duty costume that the average' home dressmaker could not easily duplicate, very possibly w r ith two laid-aside dresses. When using buttons in unusual ways, it is well to romember that loops of the fabric, braid or cord are an ornamental substitute for buttonholes; anso that linked buttons, fastened in pairs, aro both decorative and utilitarian. They vay bo connected with cord, strands of wool, or crocheted chainstitch, according to the fabric of the garment. The family button bag will often provide an astonishing assortment of buttons well suited to all these purposes, which perhaps have never boon thought of before.