"WHITE" SALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

"WHITE" SALES.

WHAT PSYCHOLOGISTS TELLTHE "CINEMA DRESS." LOVELY ENGLISH VELVETS. [special to n.z. herald. COPYRIGHT.] LONDON. Feb. 19. The " white" sales—which always follow the after-season sales—are really a relic of the past, when white was the only colour for lingerio and household linen, both of which were regularly renewed at certain seasons. To-day they should be ** rainbow sales, for, although there are plenty of damask cloths and sheets of exquisite white linen, the pride of place is given to vividly-striped and fringed cloths and delicate linen sheets in pink, blue, primrose and lilac. Tea cloths and luncheon sets in linen and damask—dyed to blend with any colour scheme, whether it be of the interior decoration, or of the table china. Bedspreads and curtains are shown in deeper shades to tone with the delicate pinks and blues and greens of sheets and blankets. Bath towels, guest towels and face " flannels" all match the coloured tiles of the newest bathrooms. In fact, white linen is definitely old-fashioned, and colour is rampant all through the home. Psychologists will tell you that this clamouring for colour is Nature's reaction to drab and difficult conditions, but whatever the cause, the result is so attractive that I am sure it will survive even when the sun of prosperity shines again. But, as white disappears from the household linen chest, it is being welcomed back into the wardrobe. White woollen dresses —or, more strictly spoaking, off-white —are exceedingly smart, especially for wearing under a dark coat, whether it be of fur or cloth. These new off-white colours have either a slight tinge of beige, pink or grey, which, of course, makes them very much easier to wearIn the early collections they are showing a popular ensemble consisting of a simple off-white woollen frock with a bright navy blue coat cut without a collar and with caped sleeves. Beige-white looks exceedingly smart with a dark brown coat, while a pinkwhite seems the happiest choice with a black coat, either in cloth or velvet. White satin is very fashionable also. With tailored suits a white satin tailored blouse is excessively smart for town wear. A white-topped dress, or basqued overblouse with a black satin or velvet skirt, is a most useful garment to have in one's wardrobe for semi-evening wear. Tile " cinema dress " is the newest name for this type of gown, which indicates another sign of the times. Dinner at a restaurant, with a cinema to follow, is a popular evening's amusement in these economical days, and so a special type of gown has sprung into fashion to fit in with such an occasion. At one of these parties recently an elderly woman with beautifully-waved, snow-white, shingled hair was wearing a slightly low-cut, longsleeved, white satin top to a long, black satin, high-waisted skirt, black satin buckled shoes, and round her throat a white corded-silk ribbon, fastened with a diamond buckle. As she left the restaurant she slipped on a short, black broadtail coat and tucked her hands into a little matching muff, to which a spray of white flowers was attached. In this same party was a fair-haired woman who had solved the dress problem for dinner and cinema by wearing a complete outfit of brown. " Her long dress of heavy .brown georgette was almost, tailored in its simplicity, a slightly lowdraped neckline and short eajiie sleeves being the only festive touch about it. Her stockings, shoes and long suede gloves matched her gown, and she wore a short sable jacket coat, to the lapel of which was pinned a cluster of browny-green orchids. The third woman in this party of six wore a long, slim gown of black velvet with a long sleeved bolero of heavy cream guipure lace that just reached a very high waistline, giving the gown an Empire effect. Her wrap was a three-quarter black velvet coat with decorated sleeves and scarf collar, and a cluster of lacquerred carnations. Flowers are very much worn for evening at present, but seldom seen on day suits or gowns unless it happens to be a cluster of the natural violets which are so luxuriant just now. Velvet, which lias been so popular all through the winter, will continue to be used for evening dresses and wraps, also for sports coals, especially in corduroy velvet. Therefore, when you arc choosing your autumn outfit, look well at the many beautiful English velvets, which are so flattering to tho complexion and which look so comforting on a cold day. The newest velvets have a dull surface —which is in keeping with tho vogue for dull satins, crepes and laccs. Tho best clothes show an absence of exaggeration and sensational effects, and the aim to strive for is good line, good colour combination and perfect workmanship.