WHIMS OF FASHION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19660, 11 June 1927, Page 6 (Supplement)

WHIMS OF FASHION.

NEWS FROM GROT CENTRES. GIRDLES AND SASHES. (STECIAI. TO K.2. HERALD.—COPrBIGHT.* LONDON. April 25. While making a list of tho smartest women in Paris, we discovered that all tho women included in it were over thirty and very many considerably over forty. Now the Paris designer really creates for this type of woman. You see at once that the fashions that appeal to her must bo those in which sho can look youthful. This desire to look as young as possible is tho real explanation of the mode of to-day. It explains tho crazo for slenderness, and the popularity of sports and dancing to enable one to remain slender.

It explains tlie persistent vogue for simplicity and the ever-growing favour of sports clothes, the short skirt, and the open neck-line, with the waist-line at the top of the hips. This latter, in spite of the heroic efforts of some designers to get it higher, for they seem to think that you cannot keep a good waist-line down, which would be correct if the women who matter had the proportions of a girl of seventeen. This will explain to you just why world fashions must be such as make women look young. In spite of the slim silhouette the new clothes are not in any way restricting. That is the modern art that the designers have mastered, to make material hang as straight as a string and yet give plenty of room for movement. Side by side with a slender mode, there is a most interesting tendency toward extremely clever drapery. The famous Worth's collection seemed to bo draped from beginning to end except, of course, the sports clothes; and many followed the lines of the Egyptian male dress, the girdles being drawn round the hipb with all the fullness in front. This hip sash, giving a gipsy look, is a popular feature with many other designers, carried out in all the lovely smallpatterned materials. Many of them were in 'blues, some flowered, some checked. Some had over them little short squarecornered jackets, with one button at the neck, reminiscent of the travelling dress of the sixties, and the illustrations of " Alice Through the Looking Glass." Our necks come in for much attention these days, and it is as well to add neck and shoulder massage to the usual one for face and arms. We have often been slightly scornful of the black ribbon velvet ribbon worn by our grandmothers round their throats, imagining that it looked early Victorian, but hefa are we putting narrow suede belts round our necks. After all. they realised apparently before we did that a narrow line of something round the throat is tremendously becoming, hence that >6udden rage for choker pearls. t The gold necklets are chafming, but I prefer them worn in the evening, especi-. ally with all black dresses. The slave bangle tvpe has given place to the fine flexible one with its two or three rows. One shop in London is selling very narrow belts of gold xnesh with a tiny buckle which can be worn round the neck or round the hat for a change. Scarves are a verv helpful decoration, adding both chafm and comfort to bare necks, and this season they seem to have been provided in every known material to suit all occasions. Scarves of silk or cashmere, scarves with fringed or bordered edges, check plaid or spotted scarves—all play an important part in the mode. The peasant handkerchief of brilliant colours is often a charming addition to a simple frock of sports dress. Draped lightly round the neck, and _ knotted loosely on one shoulder, is a favourite way of wearing this very useful accessory. Most of the evening frocks have scarves to match, or definitely to go with their particular colour scheme. So if you cannot get one just the typo you want, choose a huge square of chiffon, have the edges picoted and drape it round your shoulders for the theatre or dance. One of the loveliest woollen materials shown this season is Angora. So deliciously soft and silky, giving all the warmth one needs, with a total absence of weight! A pinky beige and bois-de-rose skirt of smooth checked tweed will have a bois-de-rose Angora jumper, trimmed with the same shade of suede. Again, I have seen a jumper of brown suede with a checked brown and beige skirt, and over this a cardigan of Angora that strikes a shade between. Other Angofa suits with trimmings of lizard skin have already become great favourites. There is a popular fancy for sets fo match. Tn the case of the sports outfit it usually takes the form of a hat and scarf. I "was shown a particularly pleasing one consisting of green felt hat and cashmere scarf, both being trimmed with a plaid of green, navy and horizon blue. For the tailormade, choose hat, gloves and bag to match, or if it happens to bo of reptile skin, have shoes, bag, and stick or the handle of the umbrella of lizard or snake skin.