FASHIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 15

FASHIONS.

By Phillida.

Has it ever struck you that, in spite of the apparent utter inconsequence of fashion, there is really a good deal of logical sequence about it? (asks M.D., in the Umlv Chronicle). It must be so, if you stop to think of it, for this is what gives the great designers their power to forecast the mode to a certain extent. For instance, skirts are fuller. Well, it obviously follows that they must be short, and stay short, since nothing could possibly be dowdier than a long, flaring skirt. Further, if skirts are short, hats are sure to be smallish, as a large hat worn with a very short skirt looks top-heavy and absurd. So we shan’t see any long skirts or large hats for a considerable time to come, but I hasten to add that, many of the new hats are distinctly wider at the sides. I admit the smartness and practicalness, of the pudding-basin model, but, really, could anybody say it was kind? Or deny that 90 women per cent, look better, even on their best days, with a little shade over the eves and a little width over the ears? Width at the back we don’t want, and never shall want while we wear big fur collars, but we’re quite safe in that direction, as every new hat that I’ve seen was as back-less as a smart evening frock. It’s rather amusing, by the way, that while the very low V back is the newest line for evening, a favourite design for day frocks is the neckline, with a very long V in front. The point of this ends at about the hip level, and it is filled in with a perfectly plain vest, generally of the same material as the frock, but left loose and unattached to the rest of the bodice. This is s very becoming line, and a great favourite at the moment. It usually happens with a gored or pleated skirt, and. of course, long sleeves. You don’t see one solitary frock without them now, and T have even seep one or two evening frocks (yes, real paidy ones) with lopg plain sleeves to the wrist, but these were, of course, exceptional. One of them was most unusual; it was of plain gold lame, in absolute uncompromising sports style—jumper top, separate skirt, high neckline, and a tiny fold of itself tied round the loose waist. Rut for fbe material you eould have played a round of golf in if with perfect serenitv It was interesting, as showing the influence of “sports” dresses on all our clothes, and attractive-looking, but my practical mind wondered exactly when vou would wear it. At the same dress show T discovered another novelty in the way of materials, and that was cire chiffon. It is just chiffon, glared in a peculiar wav so that it is stiffened, and has a shiny surface It is certainly quite new, but. nnart from I" 3 ;- it bad no interest, in fact J thought it rather reminiscent of the oded silk teat nurse used to produce and wran round our sore throats over a wet flannel. I really was more like that than anything else. If T were choosin" the material for a new evening frock, it would certaanlv b e one of those 10-Mv georgettes patterned in raised velvet. Then are reallv beautiful, and aiv having all the success expected.