FASHIONS IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19753, 28 September 1927, Page 7

FASHIONS IN AMERICA.

PREDOMINANT FEATURES. SCINTILLATING ACCESSORIES. Tall and slim could be generally applied as descriptive of the women of America, said Mrs. W. R- Wilson, it) discussing her impressions gained during a recent visit to that country. Their height is rather accentuated by their slender figures, and to retain a slim svelte silhouette they adhere strictly to a prescribed diet. Tbev have no qualms in applying a generous supply of make-up to their faces, and they vary their complexions to suit either the occasion or their clothes. The latter are undeniably elegant, the outstanding feature being a harmonising colour effect. Hat, shoes, stockings and accessories all tone with the frock, giving an elegant tout ensemble for which a minute attention to detail is responsible. Then* is a decided flair for glittering scintillating ornaments, and diamante and brilliants are in great demand. They are to be seen in trimmings, in shoulder clasps, bangles, ornaments re sembling watch pennants, hat brooches and shoe-buckles, and even stud the heels and vamps of shoes. Dressmaterials also glisten and glow with silver, gold and crystal, and the sparkle is as much a necessity of day-time clothes as it is of evening ones. Simple Modes. Though the frocks are cut on simple lines that fall straight from the-shoulders, distinctive modes are achieved by knifepleated flounces, pin tucks, shoulder scarfs and cape effects, and even the oldfashioned bertha is introduced as a deep collar falling almost to the waist-line. For dav wear the tailored suit is very much in vogue, with narrow skirt, pleated at the side, hip length coat and jumper of some light material handed closely across the hips Leather coats have taken the place of fur coats, and some charming wraps are of leather and tweed combined. Tnese are most serviceable, useful either for wet or cold days, said Mrs. Wilson. Ail the smartest coats are lined with crepe da chine harmonising in tone with the coat itself. The contrasting coat lining is quite a thing of the past. Hats are small and almost brimless, the turban variety being most worn. The fact that the American women seldom appear in public in evening dress no doubt accounts for the popularity of these small hats. They dine and dance in restaurants and ciubs in the evening in the same type of frock as they wear in the afternoon, and thus the small hat admirably meets the occasion. Ornamsntal Footwear. Shoes are most decorative with high narrow hsels and short round vamps. In fact, the long last or pointed toe is quite out of date- Silver and gold kid are very fashionable for evening wear, and brocaded and satin shoes are also much worn. The buckles, which ornament every shoe, match the glistening studs in the heel, and are placed at the side of the vamp instead of m the centre. Buckles are also threaded through the instep straps. Black stockings of gossamer weave, usually called georgette, are having a great vogue, and gun metal gray is often chosen. These sometimes have -rJde straps in black or contrasting colours, and the heel pV»co showing quite 2in. nhovfc the back of the shoe i* often if a different colour from the stocking. In fact, weird and bizarre effects in footwear are an outstanding feature of the fashion* Flair lor Hoveltles.

Dress accessories are n prominent ami expensive attribute to every toilet, which is incomplete without ft posy, scarf and Iwndbag to match The posies are large :ind worn high on the shoulder, and the three cornered scarves are worn with -ports frocks, with the handkerchief end over one shoulder and si loosely -t'ed knot on the other. Bags of a flat, oblong shape match the frocks, and a novelty railed the Pckin purse is fashioned like a small dog and opens up the hack. They arc beautifullv fitted up inside, and ate carried tucked under the arm. Jewellery is very much the vogue at present, hat brooches isnd bangles liemg particularly popular. The latter have long links studded with stones, and half a doxen or so may be worn at one time. Ear-rings are fashionable and are long and scintillating. The beaches with their bathers present a very gay spectacle. sa:d Mrs. Wilson. The two-piece suits for both men and women consint of short trousers pulled over a striped iersoy and fasten®*! with a belt round the waist The stripes are of the most brilliant colours, and are either horizontal or at ati angle running from the shoulders to the waist. Rubber coats ar«d cops in all shades produce roost effective colour schemes, and are trimmed with little bunches of rubber that are extremely realistic.