ADAPTABLE FROCKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

ADAPTABLE FROCKS

WITH A YOUTHFUL AIR CONTRASTING EFFECTS [Special to N.Z. Herald—Copyright] LONDON. Feb. 28 " Young " fashions always have a great appeal. The modern woman dislikes the thought of growing old in clothes or manners as much as in looks, and so the revival of the " Chemesier Frock " is likely to have a great success. In planning these dresses one must give special thought as to colouring, cut and materials, for, if not, the effect too easily becomes a copy of the standardised " gym " suit —a style from which every school girl loves to escape. Actually the modern " chemesier " is designed to give diversity to the wardrobe, with interchangeable sleeves and tops, etc., much in the same way as one has a variety of blouses with one suit. So the idea is to add a touch of chic that, will suit the occasion by one's choice of material or colour, to blend with tfco main part of the dress.

Value of Contrast With the many new and lovely woollen fabrics these dresses can be practical for morning or afternoon, and a dressy touch is given by letting the tops be of matching colour but contrasting material, such as satin or velvet. I have sketched a charming version of this style, which was made in fine moss green woollen. This has the shirt-waist pleat edged with ruffles, and is slipped over a top of moss green eatin, so that the sleeves and demure turn-down collar show above the woollen dress. A dashing note is given by the little velvet bow of coral at the neckline. For ordinary wear the moss green dress can slip over a green and white check or plaid fabric, or a plain beige or grey or white shantung washing silk. Magyar Sleeve Effects The other design suggests that it has been adapted from the sunbathing dresses of summer, but in this case the back matches the front and the "tops" worn beneath usually have raglan or magyar sleeves to fill in softly over the arms. These dresses are shown with long or short sleeves, so they can be

adapted to any season, and while the idea is extremely practical it can be made quite chic by a clever choice of colours and materials. * Every dress designer tells the same story that materials are immensely important. New collections show woollens with every sort of rough surface, little fringed tufts, tiny bows of ribbon, threads of rough cellophane, fine openwork wooilens, with stripes of thick knobby wool, and hand-woven fabrics that are loose and rough, even if the colours are delicate or dark. The new line tends to straight slimming, but it is smart for clothes to look casual. Collars are turned up, pockets are very evident, suits appear to sit loosely over the body, ana the rough woollens all tend to give this effect.