DAME FASHION SPEAKS AGAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 6 (Supplement)

DAME FASHION SPEAKS AGAIN.

FEMININE NOTES.

HIGH COLLARS AGAIN.

[SPECIAL TO N.Z. HERALD. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, Nov. 21.

After the Paris openings when the mode has had time to crystallise and the ultra-smart women of Europe have definitely approved of certain fashions—thi? is the best tirno to select one's wardrobe for the coming season. There has been so much chatter about the new more feminine note in the mode and its influence on the entire wardrobe that we are relieved to find it is chiefly expressed in the revival of the afternoon ensemble and the more elaborate evening frock. This note of feminity is usually a subtle use of fabric or detail of ornament rather than complicated or fussy lines. For several seasons the important velvet or satin afternoon gown with matching wrap heavily furred has scarcely existed. Sports clothes went everywhere, hut the afternoon frock of velvet —beautifully cut—is one of the most important additions to the mode. This means much more time will be spent in changing one's clothes, which seems sad when already the constant wail is " but 1 am so rushed." Personally, I agree with many of our big medical men who declare that the average woman of to-day is over-doing this incessant rush from one engagement to another. Not always, let one add, just pleasure. It is surprising to realise how many charitable duties women have assumed since the war—chielly wemen of leisure, who previously only lived to find amusement for themselves or their friends, and the younger generation are following their example. .Perhaps the afternoon frock, , and consequently the enforced break in the daily round has arrived at the psychological moment to prevent many women's zeal from out-running their strength. In any case, it is the most outstanding feature in the new mode, and gives the dressmakers more opportunity for decorative skill than they have had for many seasons. I am sending you a charming frock designed by Lauvin of Paris, which was made in pinkish grey crepe. Notice the subtle effects created both at the hem and the side opening disclosing the buttoned slip underneath. The slip terminating below the opening and so reveals the neck underneath. The shoulder wrap of blue fox is an attractive finish. This is the most important and individual fur worn in Paris just now. Jean Patou, at his mid-season showing, presented in one of his showrooms a whole display of blue foxes.

How grateful we are for the touch of gold in our morning suits and sports clothes during these dull November days.

I really think this is the most fascinating innovation this season has given us—gold and woollen material! We should have been horrified at th<j combination only a. few years ago. Like so many other hard and fast rules, these definite times for wearing gleaming clothes have been scrapped, and the great idea is change and originality, at any cost. These gold effects are charming when worn in stripes round a jumper or forming a pattern fill over a Kasha coat. Practically all the jumpers or onepiece dresses are belted, usually with a large plain box calf belt fastened with a simple metal buckle. Afternoon dresses usually show fabric hells with jewellery buckles. One of the newest fads for gem jewellery is to have a large single semi-precious stone hung by a black cord round the neck. The stones chosen are usually aquamarine, topaz or amethyst. Choker necklets are also popular for evening, sometimes in these same stone, but the loveliest is the creations of Channel of Paris, who has put little cabochon clusters of turquoise round the neck and"wrists and tied them with narrow black ribbons that hang loose for about nine inches.