DRESS NOVELTIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22900, 1 December 1937, Page 4

DRESS NOVELTIES

NEW BUTTONS AND BELTS ACCESSORIES TO WARDROBE SOME COLOUR COMBINATIONS BY BARBARA Often It is the little things that "make" a wardrobe —by this I do not mean ordinary, everyday accessories, shoes, bags, hats and gloves, which though extremely important are . of necessity chosen from a practical viewpoint, but rather the gay, impractical enchanting novelties we do not include in our buying budgets. Nor are these always the extravagances they seem. From a minimum of material at infinitesimal cost one can copy at home fantasies, the Paris originals of which demanded fabulous sums. Always I have preached the desirability of a sound, basic wardrobe that is capable of being "dresscd-up" in a variety of ways. This year the truth of this statement is more apparent than ever. From the wealth of novelties shown at the collections, a single silhouette gradually emerges, any divergence from which can bo achieved by the help of ingenious accessories. First of all the silhouette —a moulded one that before aught else clasps the diaphragm in firm embrace—then the scarves, belts, gilets and "what-have-you's" that give it character. To begin at the outside. A plain cloth coat assumes an entirely new aspect when adorned with perky little fur pockets. Make these in pouch shape and slot your belt through the top of them. They will then rest lightly on either hip and, if you wish, can be removed with the belt. Decorative Buttons Fabric buttons are enormously important. You can get endless amusing effects by having them made in two contrasting fabrics and maybe embroidering their faces with flower-pots, or hearts, butterflies or goldfish. It does not matter what you choose so long as it is entertaining and colourful. Belts - have always provided enormous scope for ingenuity. To-day they are as easily made and as effective as ever. Schiaparelli (and you if you wish) plaits patent leather, wide strips of it, to make gay crimson belts for black frocks. Chanel uses velvet for her honed corselets that are laced up the front with contrasting cord. Jewel studs and a gold chain girdle are used with flowing dinner frocks. Daytime dresses are banded in contrasting shades of the same material. Suede, felt and chamois are cut, plaited and

twisted into wide belts gaily adorned with flowers of metal or brilliant felts. Satin and silk jerseys sometimes make the whole middles of plain coloured frocks and their long-ended sashes as well. Your romantic organzas and cottons will be swathed in many-hued ribbons, Imagination and a simple frock as background is the best recipe for chic. Sequins are not confined to evening wear. I saw an adorable black crepe day dress by Motley which had curls of sequins inset in a square that was cut out of the bodice front and matching sequin curls fastening its self-col-oured belt. Its masterly finishing fillip was a widish band of the sequins, round the inside hem of the skirt. Colour Combinations With your suit the smartest blouse you can'choose is two-toned, with a different colour and often a different material at the back from the front. Chanel makes a striped taffetas waistcoat that turns a plain-coloured back on the world. Another attractive black suit has a swinging skirt, sun-ray pleated, and a fitted jacket that is plain black in front and brilliant Gauguin pink behind. Sweaters follow the same scheme. A black- sweater will have a mustard front or a red sweater a blue hack. In fact, the two colours are so evenly divided that the garment can ho no more called one colour than the other. Bows in your hair you are expected to flaunt, but hows round your ankles are another matter! For cocktail time and in the evening tie ribbons to your i shoes and swathe them round your ankles to emphasise their slimness. Dancing at Grosvenor House recently I saw a tall blonde wearing a ballerina frock of shaded green chiffon. The bodice was draped across the bust and held up by tiny straps, tho skirt was two circles of chiffon—pale green over dark green. In her hair she wore tiny satin bows that matched tho two greens of her frock and tying on her satin slippers were green ribbon laces. Another exquisite chiffon frock was in two tones of grey—the light and dark alternating in wide vertical panels on the full skirt. My sketch shows a black taffetas frock which I also saw at Grosvenor House. The long-waisted fitted bodice juts just above tho hips in pleated pannier effect. This frock is charming on a slender figure. The black sequin hat also sketched J. saw in the Savov Grill a few nights ago. It was worn with a black frilly frock and matching scqui n-baeked gloves.