The Ever-Useful Ensemble

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Ever-Useful Ensemble

IDEAL FOR TREACHEROUS CLIMATES

[BPECIATj TO N.Z. HER ALT) COPYRIGHT] LONDON, Nov. 28, 1»3« F temperate climates it is always advisable to plan one's summer wardrobe with a mind full of hope for hot sunshine, but prepared for cold days. The fashions of to-day usually provide some wrap to complete the ensemble, and so we find many summer models combine thin woollen fabrics with silk. Both line and colour are important in tho latu»t ensemble themes. Redingotes, capes and loose coats in short, boxy styles, or three-quarter lengths,

with straight lines, give style to the present silhouette, and make the most of the contrast of plain and printed materials. Choice of colour is also important. Dark colours, such as navy-blue, wine, dark greens and browns may be accom-

panied by prints with matching backgrounds and small or largo designs in white, or a pale neutral colour. New also is the costume of neutral grey or beige, which is combined with a dark print patterned in the same colour as the suit. This is particularly attractive in the newer cape or brief, boxy jacket silhouette, when the cape or jacket is lined with the same material as forms part of the dress beneath. The woollen fabrics can bo as light as crepes; indeed, many of them look like crepe, or one can use a little warmer fabric with angora introduced and fancy surfaces that make the ensemble useful in early summer and early autumn. Black with vivid contrasts is always attractive, and this season we have had black with a bright gentian blue and black with yellow, rivalling the always-popular black and white ensemble. White being a great favourite for high summer, a dark woollen coat is extremely useful as an outer wrap io give the contrast of fabric and colour, especially in the redingote style I have sketched, which combines the fashion-able-fitted line and bell sleeve, and can be worn buttoned or loose with equal style. As regards the patterns of these ensemble prints, small distinct designs of quaint objects, animals, diamonds or splashes are all very smart. Rabbits, dogs, tiny sailboats, fishes, cats' heads, etc., are the sort of designs that stamp this season's smartest fabrics, and ha\*e had as big a success in America as in London. For those who do not, want the warmth of even a light woollen fabric, a plain crepe or marocain used in the same fashion will give the season's mode, and the cape ensemble sketched in grey with navy and grey printed fabric is an excellent example of this season's colouring and style.