THE VOGUE FOR SILK FROCKS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11663, 30 October 1923, Page 9

THE VOGUE FOR SILK FROCKS

Numerous are the silk fabrics, particularly of crepe texture, designed to suit tli« graceful draped dresses and coats for the coming season. Silk marocains (creped and plain), crepe tricot, silk cashmeres, polins, gaberdines, crepe meteors, and crepe-de-cliines wilL be the most frequently used, and the colouring in these are in all the new putty, browns, and “•"burnt" shades, havauia, nut, russet, mastic, and black.

Crepe-de-ehtne appears in endless varieties; plain, or figured in wonderful combination, of Eastern hues; in two-toned effects only, or in three—blue, black, and rose bein» the newest. A novelty in a particularly rich thick fabric shows lively Roman stripings of variegated tints. This is dyed in really fast colours bv a new process, all the coloured threads, which .are of spun silk being boiled before they are woven in. It is an English product of which, with a surprising number of other most lovely silks now on the market, we may justly be proud. Foulards are or figured; but their popularity seems ratlior out-rivalled by the new shantungs for whole gowns Both are used for .the upper part of three piece suits, and in the general run of cases, when thug emp!osr3tt the same design Is chosen for the lining of the coat —a rule which applies when georgettes, ninons. or other Fabrics are requisitioned also. As regards to the figuring of -such silks, the Paisley patterns (in which the Paisley is ofttimes but faintly represented) and the Egyptian appear chief favourites. There are other numberless "fancy'' silks of curious and wonderful patterns and colourings, many of which are enhanced by the introduction of the greater brilliance of artificial silk touches. Some are designed rather more exclusively for the frilled and fluffy styles now gaining in favour. These show thp influence of •Early Victorian rosebuds or floral decorations of the Pompadour period. A washing silk with a white ground patterned with a pale blue ribbon stripe broken bv trails of pink rosebuds will appeal to young girls. Zenanas will continue to be used for cloaks and coats, and all kinds, of blistered, "crocodile" and pluckered silks will be found to come under this beading, whatever individual salesmen may desire to name them.