THE SUNNY PATH OF FASHION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20626, 26 July 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE SUNNY PATH OF FASHION.

BLACK AND WHITE SCHEMES.

MODERN JEWELLERY-

[SPECIAL TO N.Z. HERALD. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, Juno 7.

If wo followed tho sunny path laid down by tho fashion makers for the next few months, wo should need to live in a land of golden daylight, shady lawns, and languorous heat. Tho fashion summer would bo a succession of flowery chiffon frocks and ilimsy, shady hats. Unfortunately, our summer is a very different thing; tho weatlier is as delightfully uncertain as during tho winter, so that ono often thinks tho same clothes would suit either season.

Fashion decrees "No overcoats." But tho very becoming and fashionable short coat is hardly practical for all weathers, and experience of past summers persuades most women to add an overcoat of tho same stuff as the tweed suit, or else one that will go over almost anything. All these coats are slightly longer than last year—quite four or five inches below tho knee—for although wo steadfastly refuso to wear really long skirts in the street it is quite easy to pick out this year's clothes by their added inches This is the first season for years when ono can positively declare that last year's clothes are no good if one wishes to look smart. The short skirt has held its sway so long with only minor alterations that a frock could reasonably bo expected to last a second season.

But now a now frock is a new frock, and there is no mistaking an old one. So it is safer to buy few frocks and wear them hard, for it is useless to hoard clothes when fashion changes aro as drastic as these last.

It has been said that " Necessity is th* mother of invention," so possibly our variable climate is responsible for the vast improvement in weatherproof clothes. There was a time when the word " mackintosh " conjured up a drab grev or fawn garment, hanging on a peg behind the garden door. To-day it is possible to get, " wet-or-fine" clothes equally suitable for a walk in the park or a garden party function on a doubtful day, and weatherproof evening wraps which not only protect the flimsiest dance gown from rain, but look smart for a summer ovening.

Black and white schemes are as chic in these sensible clothes as in the more exotic ensembles, and at a show of models last week I particularly liked the smart lines of some slim black silk waterproof coats with bold facings of proofed white satin and deep gauntlet cuffs to tho elbow. Worn with close-fitting hats of the same material, and black " brollies " with white handles, ferrules, and tips to the ribs, tho magpie effect was charming. Some smart capes fashioned to wear over tweed suits were cut on full but graceful lines. A number were trimmed in a contrasting shade, this being worked into the back as well as the front of the garment, and designed to give a flat appearance across the shoulders. There is one style of dress that has been adopted for summer, rain, or wind that suits most, people, and is extremely attractive. In I'aris they call it the Garbo style, because (I ret a Garbo is one of the lovely ones who have chosen it.

It- is very simple, consisting of a white mackintosh and a small, close-fitting hat, either a felt or a beret. But the mackintosh must bo a man's mackintosh, with nothing fussy or crepe de chiney about it, and if you cannoE wear the popular little beret "a simple " sporting " felt hat should bo chosen.

Novelties each stranger and more exotic than tlie last are constantly pouring into the shops, and the crazo for jewellery seems to he a favourite mode for expressing new emotions. Wo have had the rubber and cork necklaces for bathing, the rubher strands with crystal beads worn for evening. Every type of wooden bead at some time or another has been used to fashion a new style or ornament, and from marble to tweed the whole gamut of materials has been pressed info service in the cause of modern jewellery. At the moment the newest pieces show a tendency toward more exquisite design and slightly less barbaric in character. In place of the huge plain gold or platinum chain bracelets, jewellers have designed chain bracelets, the links of which are made of precious stones, and these are seen in widths of a quarter of an inch to two inches wide. Another design was formed of five delicately carved coral plaques about two inches wide, joined by heavy links of onvx and diamonds.

Bracelets of all varieties are attractive and fashionabb, and, with jewelled clips and necklaces, aro the most popular ornaments at the moment.