SUITING ONE'S AGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

SUITING ONE'S AGE

THE LATEST COLLECTIONS A POSTMAN ENSEMBLE [special to n.z. herald —copyright] LONDON, Feb. 25. Tlie pendulum of fashion has swung back from the post-war " uniforms " to an individuality of stylo that is almost disconcerting. This season we are offered such a bewildering variety of day and evening styles that even greater care than usual must be exercised in the choice of new clothes. There are sti'les which the older women will find easy to wear, others which evoke such audible comments as " That would look sweet on a young girl." Once more we are realising that to dress to suit one's age does not necessarily mean to look older; on the contrary, it usually lends an added charm of dignity and experience that is infinitely more attractive than attempts to bo kittenish to match a too-youthful frock. A helpful point which is worth remembering is that one good dress ij worth six indifferent ones, especially if you add good shoes, gloves, and other accessories worthy of it. In an age when dress notions alter so rapidly it is even more important, and it is cleverness about details which alter the appearance of a dress or a coat, and which help a modest income to put up a good dress show. At some of the earliest exclusive dress collections I find the classic tailored suit is being shown as a rival to the more fussy models of recent seasons. Detailed Descriptions A grey flannel suit had a narrow, widely-spaced white stripe with coat cut to reach just below the hip bone, and fastened with two single-breasted buttons, and a tiny breast pocket. With this was a man's grey jersey polo shirt tucked into the waist, and with a turn-down collar fastened at the throat. A grey felt beret, a suspicion of white in the breast pocket, and heavy white doeskin gloves completed an outfit that was simplicity itself, but suitable for any morning occasion in town or country. A little more exotic was a BUit of small black and white checked woollen. This had the new or revived black velvet collar, and was worn with a high turn-down collared blouse of stamped black lacquered satin; a small hat of fine, shiny straw, tilted over one eye, with a trimming of black, red and white ribbon; and two flat little galalito flowers in red, white, and black, fastened in tlio lapel of the coat. Equally smart, but less jaunty, was a black tailored suit, showing a sum skirt and three-quarter length collarless coat. Under this was a long tunic blouse reaching the knees, of white and black striped woollen fabric, belted with black, and a scarf tied stock-fashion, with longish ends hanging down the front, one side- black and the other white and black stripes. A more fanciful tailor-made consisted of a navy coat and skirt of rough soft woollen fabric. The skirt was, of course, slim —they all are this season — but the coat, which had a short basque and fitted waist, also sported quite revolutionary sleeves of the leg o' mutton variety. Beneath this was worn one of the chic new taffetas blouses in blue, beige and gold plaid. The blouse was adorable with a dropped shoulder-line; and then huge puffs to the elbow, leaving the rest of the arm bare, which with a cowl-draped neckline made it smart enough for a restaurant dinner. Putting two different tones of grey or two of beige to form an ensemble is a smart colour notion this season. I particularly liked a top-coat of grey-biege woollen hopsack, made with a deep cape-collar, dropped shoulderline, and full bishop sleeves into narrow cuffs at the wrists. This was worn over a warm honey-beige lace-wool tweed dress that had a narrow belt of plain burnished copper round the waist. Ochre yellow and grey is also chic. A loose top-coat three-quartefr length, cut with large pockets and raglan sleeves in this yellow looked well over a grey woollen dress that crossed over and tied round the waist, surplice fashion. The Postman's Uniform A new ensemble to replace the military coat of last season was fashioned to suggest the postman's uniform. A smartly cut top-coat of regulation blue woollen had a small stand-up collar that continued into the revers. The seams down the coat and sleeves, etc., were piped with red, simulating the stripes down the uniform trousers. Underneath was worn a red woollen skirt and tunic jacket, with small hip and breast pockets, stand-up collar, and buttoned closely down the front. A pillbox cap, with a smart bow in front mado of the same red material, was porchcd at an angle over one eye. This red and blue combination is much liked. Immediately after seeing Ibis new model I saw one at lunch. Kcd dress, with blue coat, lined red and red hat, and it was vastly becoming on a dark-haired girl, yet the mannequin had been an ash-blonde beauty, and it was equally attractive on her.