GRACEFUL MODES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

GRACEFUL MODES.

LACE AND CHIFFON. ELEGANCE OF FLORAL FROCKS. [special to n.z. herald.—copyright. ] LONDON, June 29. For almost the first time in history tho " Great Week " in Paris ami Ascot Week in England happen together. These two great racing fixtures are always looked upon by tho world of fashion as the climax of tho season, so that those who usually " do " the two meetings in search of sartorial sensations must choose between tho classic neatness of the Parisiennes' race get-up or (lie wonderful garden party clothes of Ascot. Ascot is the season's greatest festival. As a combination of sport and fashion, beauty and excitement, it out-tops them all. When the Royal Procession approaches from the green distances to the {lower-filled course, England has no lovelier sight, to show or any spectacle so perfectly stage-managed. " Dressed for Ascot."" has, indeed, become synonymous for a special type of clothes, and this week the frocks seem to have been lovelier than usual.

All . lace, lace and chiffon, printed chiffons in every known colour, and printed crepes woro the chosen materials for the vast majority of dresses; with handsome cloaks of lame, taffeta heavily embroidered, and velvet, or diaphanous wraps of chiffon with hems and deep cuffs of fur or ostrich feathers.

The great difference in the French and English meetings is that the lovely clothes seen at Auteuil are mostly worn by the mannequins of the big dressmaking houses. At Ascot, in the Royal Enclosure, one meets everyone who is socially anyone, and as many others who have secured the coveted badge, all wearing the most exquisite clothes. Each day has brought its wonderful creations in every shade of blue, with maize running it a close second, but with so many flowered and printed frocks real elegance seemed to lie achieved by those who had selected plain chiffon or georgette gowns with a coat to match. I fiarve selected two typical toilettes to illustrate mv letter, which have many points that" aro well in advance of fashion. Tho chiffon and lace cape ensemble is one of the loveliest designed this season. I have seen it in black and beige, and it is fascinating in either. The large hat shows tho popular bend-up in front which distinguishes this season's millinery. The second sketch shows a printed crepe ensemble in green and yellow, I his is a very favourite colour combination, and particularly effective when worn with a wide black hat tied with a soft yellow sal iii ribbon. The slim, fitting bodice and flounced skirt opening over* a* pale yellow slip to match the lining of the coat arc all important points in this attractive get-up. Luce is tremendously fashionable this season, and there arc no scruples about it being real. It was once considered bad form°to wear imitation lacc, but with the exquisite designs of modern manufacture we often prefer the imitation to the real. It is refreshing to see lace on lingeries once more. One really tired of the tailored' under-garinents which all seemed to be part of the after-the-war economy".

Tlic girl with the nimble fingers can fashion such exquisite clothes to-day with the wonderful artificial silks and imitation laces at a comparatively small cost. Celanese crepe-de-chine has all the appearance of the most expensive kind of silk crcpo de chine and both wears arid washes beautifully. The colours are exquisite, and they have done away with the. harsh glittering sheen which used to distinguish the artificial from the real. This also applies to stockings. It is now almost impossible to distinguish the better qualities, and if treated with caro they last equally lone. Never apply a hot iron to artificial silk of any sort, and you will get satisfactory results.