BLEAK WEEKS FOR FASHION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

BLEAK WEEKS FOR FASHION.

TOE TALL- GIRL. ~ ■■*

BASQUE EFFECTS AND TUNICS.

[SPECIAL TQ N.Z. HERALD.—COPYRIGirr.fi LONDON, January 3. With tho Christmas festival still hanging in tho air and nothing but the prospect of sales in tho shops, the next few weeks are the bleakest in the world of fashion. No ono :is ready to look at novelties — much less buy them —so one must turn to what people are actually wearing to know what is really the modo. At tho beginning of this season Pans decided it had done with printed silks and chiffons. ' But the woman of fashion had found them too useful to discard so easily. In the late season dressmakers have capitulated, and onco more models in printed crepes and velvets havo become smart. Designs aro much smaller and spots quito tho smartest, but tho spots aro not necessarily of one size; often there will bo tlireo sizes and threo colours or tones of a colour on a contrasting background. I liked a beige silk dress that had black, white and red spots, and which was worn under a black broadcloth with high shawl collar of beige lamb. Another frock seen in black _ chiffon velvet had spots in red and white, and this had a deep white collar turnback cuffs tied with narrow red ribbons and a red suede belt. These spots appear on woollen materials which promise to bo very smart for early spring suits. I saw a very new ensemble mado of chestnut brown with beige spots. The coat was one of tho chic seven-eight length, simple in line, and finished at the neck and wrists with bands of beige fur. Tho skirt had tho necessary fullness secured by a doublo pleat in the centre front, and the skirt that completed tho ensemble was mado of men's silk shirting in fino stripes of brown, beigo, white and green. Afternoon functions afford ono of the best opportunities of seeing pretty clothes during this wet and dreary season of the year. Tho tea hour at any big hotel is gay and attractive, with pretty women, immaculate men, and a cheery crowd of boys and girls meeting after the theatre or pantomime. I saw an attractive family of mother and threo daughters —all dressed alike. In brown velvet, with turn-down collars and gauntlet cuffs of deep cream lace. •The threo daughters had simple volour hats to match, with tiny brims, but their mother had one of the turn-off-the-face bonnety shapes which aro very difficult to wear.

One of our " divinely tall and most divinely fair" young actresses looked charming in a black-and-yellow ensemble. Tho black frock of soft satin had a deep yoke that nearly reached tho waist at tho back and sleeves of palo yellow crepe. Her coat of black cloth trimmed with Persian lamb collar and cuffs, was lined with the samo yellow crepe, and a tiny black velvet hat with minute eye-veil of finest tulle added charm and allure to her beautiful blue-grey eyes. Tho problem of tho very tall woman is almost as difficult as that of her very thin sister, and when the two are combined even the most beautiful model is difficult to adapt. I was asked recently to suggest some frocks for two very tall sisters who are both young and good-looking but tall enough to bo ungainly if not cleverly clothed. lam forwarding a sketch of one of the frocks which proved most successful—in the fond hope that ifc may help some reader who is built on long lines. Equally it could be adapted to ordinary proportions and make a delightfully attractivo indoor frock. It was in black satin and had a slightly full bodice with a belt at tho normal waistlino and the unusual neck-line was finished with off-v.'hito satin in double bands and tie bows, which was repeated to form cuffs at each wrist.

Basque effects and tunics are promised for the spring, and already the few shown in the winter collections have found favour. These aro also good devices for shortening-up an angular figure, especiaally as some of these tunics have bunchy rucks 011 the edge in placo of fur, which make them impossible for tho petite woman.

Hats continue " off the face," both as to brim and position. Ido not think this fashion will survive the spring, for it is so unflattering, even to the most youthful and best-looking woman. I hear that the Famous Forty of Paris aro launching quite a new fashion in the next few weeks, and we arc all hoping it will be something more becoming than the " bare-faced " looking hats we have been expected to wear this season.

Charming frock for the ultra tall and thin, in black with very original trimming at the neck and wrists of picot off-white satin. ;^o<==^o<==^o<==>o<==>o<==>o<==: