MY LADY'S DRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22756, 17 December 1935, Page 15

MY LADY'S DRESS

A LETTER FROM SYDNEY Dear Phillida Thick cords, heavy chains, diamante hooks and clips, straw braid, and padlocked zippers were features of an exciting collection of "inbetween " frocks which I saw to-day. This collection had only arrived from America yesterday, and was consequently the very newest that Sydney has to show. Nearly all these frocks were black, and many had accompanying coats which made them perfect for kinema and restaurant wear.

The simplicity of cut, of which I spoke last week, was also an outstanding feature. Nearly all the frocks had very plain skirts—seldom cut on the cross and often with, a single box-pleat inserted. The coats were hip-length, and straight, with sometimes a suggestion of back fullness. The sleeves were nearly all plain and straight, widening slightly at the wrist.

In my sketch are shown two representative frocks. The 6ne on the standing figure was made of a deep sage green crepe, with characteristic simplicity of cut. The high neck was slightly cowled, and the shoulder yoke was carried across the sleeves. A wide plaited cord belt of light and dark greens which hung in

long tassels in the front was an exciting finish. Alix designed the original frock from which the black silk crepe shown on the seated figure was copied. A twisted bodice at a lowish neckline and a heavily-jewelled Rennaissance belt were new notes of which we shall see more later in the season. Many of these frocks had military frogs made of black silk cord, and one very charming one had several rows of black straw braid looped round the deep armhole and three matching groups of braid at intervals on the sleeves. Three brass clasp clips fastened the bodice at one side. White shirred satin in contrast to dull finish black crepe 'was demonstrated on a very simple black frock and coat. The frock, which was sleeveless, had a shirred satin vestee which was caught at the top by a black crepe inch-wide ribbon coming from either side and tying in a bow under the chin. White shirred satin revers and inch-wide white satin cuffs were used on the short, straight coat. Another frock had a top of shirred white satin —very full in front and high to the neck, a straight black moss crepe skirt and a straight black finger-tip coat, which was fastened at the neckline by black silk cord frogs. Loops of black silk cord finished by dia-

mante spearheads were swung across the bodice of a black cloque crepe frock. The black Peter Pan collar had an over-collar of white metal striped satin. Tiny white celluloid flowers scattered over white georgette formed yoke and bellbottomed sleeves of a black georgette frock. Black cloque.crepe, this time pmspotted in white, was finished with bands of white pique on the novel looped bib of still another afternoon frock. While one of the most charming of all was a plain Hat crepe with a draped cowl neck which canned over into the sleeves. This frock was shirred at the waistline in front and the bodice was caught up and held together by three pairs of diamante hooks and three chains of three diamante links which swung between each pair of hooks. A white lace ruffle which edged the inside, of a high neckline and ended in an engaging white line from neck to waist was an enchanting finish to a black cloque basqued frock. This had a huge brilliant buckle in the front of the belt. Moss green crepe was again featured in a trim suit with a straight skirt and a severely tailored fitting jacket which was embroidered all over in a scroll design of thin silk cord. A frock which caused much interest had a zip up the front of the bodice and was finished at the top by a heart-shaped gold padlock. A similar zipper, and padlock fastened the side plaquet. Crinkled black crepe made this dress, which was cut very straight and

linished at the neckline by a tiny rolled white pique collar. . Plain smooth black crepe cut very slim and with slightly cowled neckline is the most soignee of all afternoon frocks, especially when finished by a necklace Ot three strands of softly glowing pearls. All these frocks which are so plain in themselves can be transformed and embellished by. different sets of costume jewellery, different collars and different belts. It is often the belts which will receive most attention this year. Besides the corded ones and the jewel-studded Renaissance ones which I have already mentioned, there are many new suede belts made in novel shapes and tantalising colours. An emerald suede belt with a wide circular buckle makes dramatic contrast to a black silk frock and cherry suede cut very plain and military seems the required finish to a much-befrogged navv crepe dress. We must remember, however, when planning these frocks that it is their cut and line which really make their success. Good material and good fit are the first essentials of chic, and acces- /Q<27l £*47* *<. sories are merely incidental.