Attractive Autumn Styles Sequins Are “All The Rage”

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 14

Attractive Autumn Styles Sequins Are “All The Rage”

“box saunter” coats, sequin striped evening frocks, angora frocks with zippered shoulders, and hats of every shape are fashion highlights of the new autumn and winter clothes. Hats are of antelope skin, feathers and velour which is reversed so that the shiny and dull sides give contrast. Brims are wide or minute and crowns vary from toque shapes to high, “pork pie” flower pot styles. Grosgran ribbon in contrasting shades is the popular trimming although quills and astrakan are still in vogue. Confetti tweeds in multi-coloured wools are the latest material for the winter sports coats in which belts have been replaced by excessive fullness. Coats swagger more than usual and have interesting pockets and leather buttons. Many have scarves attached. Very smart are the dyed canid hair models in navy, rust and tangerine. Sequins give glitter to many of the evening frocks, and coloured sequins in diagonal vertical stripes make an effective pattern across some black net gowns. Angora is still the popular material for afternoon frocks and with these velvet cravats and unusual suede belts are worn. Frocks have matching zippers across the shoulders and feature unstitched pleats which give a flared effect. There is much tucking on the bodice. Bust and green is the popular colour combination. Typical Fashions. The •election of lovely autumn and winter styles shown in the first illustration (top left) are typical of the season’s fashion. Top left is the 1938 version of the Monai.se tunic frock in wine crepe. All the detail is at the back which has buttons from neckline to the end of the tunic and a draped hiplinc and skirt showing a group of gathers at the back. The extensive use of zippers is shown in the next sketch of an angora tweed coat zipped from throat to hem-line and made in form-fitting style without a belt. Draped lines are popular for most frocks, the one on the top right showing

a sideways draping, knotted at the waistline, with cerise chiffon. A new low waistline emphasis is demonstrated in an afternoon frock of copper crepe which is finished with a girdle coming from the side seams. Schiaparelli’s jacket suit in smoky blue has novel pockets representing red lips in scarlet embroidery. Tiny sprays of embroidered leaves at the shoulders are other details. Lower left is one of the attractive feminine evening modes in stiffened black lace over pink taffetas. The scroll is in appliqued velvet and a cluster of bright flowers adorns the waistline. Dinner frocks show three-quarter sleeves and elaborate ornamentation. Sketched is a black crepe gown with an intricate back of lattice work, made from roules of the material bound with gold thread. The same lattice work runs down the seam of the sleeve. For the very young is a novelty in evening wear known as the umbrella skirt. The model is in black satin with a closely fitting corsage and a cluster of flowers. Fashion Expert's Story. Vivid and surprising colours . . . swathed drapings from bustline to hip . . . lavish use of gold embroidery, sequins, beading, and glitter . . . costume jewellery, masses of it at neckline and wrist . . . miles of zippers . . . reversal to style modes of 1900 . . . pencil skirts ... frilly feminine lines for evening . . . beltless coats both long and short . . , six to eight pockets a dress .... These are the details of the autumn fashion story of 1938, as told by Miss Jane Scott, a well known Australian fashion buyer, who recently returned from an extensive buying expedition abroad. She tells a fascinating tale in which styles revert from the comparatively simple modes of the past few years to the elaborate drapings and swathings of nearly 40 years ago. And for this aspect of new fashions, the influence of Victoria Regina, the famous play, is clearly marked. Colour is important; and the autumn styles depend for their startling originality on the unusual placing and effect of colour contrast, says Miss Scott, not that the fabrics of the frocks and coats are so vivid in themselves. Black once again dominates for background, but gone are the white trimmings. that for so long have been relied ’on for contrast. They have given way to magentas, clover pinks, the alarming •‘shocking” pink of Paris, startling blues •nd deep wine shades. Aiding and abetting this craze for colour contrast are the huge accompanying jewels at neckline and wrist, the generously used multi-coloured sequins and beading, and gold bullion braid. Drapings Are Luxurious. Another point about the new season’s frocks is the emphasis of swathing and ornamentation, which according to the designer is lavished either all in the back or all in the front, but rarely the two places in the one garment. For instance there is a glorious crepe afternoon frock in black, draped and swathed in intricate folds from the neckline to the waist and from the hipline upwards to the waist where, just at one side, the whole of the drapings are gathered together and knotted with a daring hand in brilliant cerise chiffon. Glass Cups and Saucers. Clear glass cups and saucers are the latest thing in which to serve coffee. Some of these have a delicate pattern in silver. Stars in silver look charming. The same designs on clear glass can be obtained in sweet and fruit dishes.