CLOTHES AND FIGURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23385, 28 December 1937, Page 14

CLOTHES AND FIGURES

“ Control your figure with your clothes,” says Orry-Kelly in,,a Hollywood magazine. - “If your health or will power automatically eliminate dieting and if lack of, time is your ajibi for not exercising, then it is up to you to select clothes that will minimise all the defects of the figure.” Mr Kelly maintains that no one wears clothes like a tall, slim woman, and he unhesitatingly gives Kay Francis the accolade. Since everyone is not blessed with that type of figure there arc plenty of tricks in dressing that can help promote the illusion. The woman who is largo above the waist should pay particular attention to the neckline of her dress and the cut of the arm’s eye. The latter should be,cut so large that there is no wrinkle or pull below it. The neckline should never be high. The turtle neck and clerical styles arc definitely out, A long, slim V is generally- preferred. Long, loose ■ sleeves are-.flattering or cap sleeves, but never the awkward clijow,length which end with the bust and consequent 1 ’- widens that line. In no case should the b Mice fit too tightly nor should too much detail be added to camouflage the size. Both of these tMoks -merely make -it Kppfears'tod- 'brb-. minent. The ideal set-up is a semifitted or slightly gathered bodice A waistline that measures more than it should must never, never bo girded by a contrasting bell. If a bolt is used at all ’if must be as sclf-efiacTn’g as pos-

ible. Medium width and self-material arc the two watchwords..':-

' The best way to slim'hips that heed it, is to experiment by trying on dresses with' every variety of skirt. A straight skirt is the best general mlc, according to Mr KellyHowever. ii . must not actually mould the figure, and the longer it is the more inches it will take off the hips. Beware of short skirts if ’••on wear a size forty dress. A hint there is also a jacket that extends as far as the lower hipline. A tailored suit wilh this type of jacket will have a surprisingly, slenderising effect. Square- shoulders and big sleeves are also' a perfect antidote. Orry Kelly has a lot of rules for makinc too slender girls look heavier, Because the cameras make an actress appear much larger than she actually is she has the slim girl's problem of dressing becomingly in her private life.

The neckline is usually a girl’s first thought in selecting a dress If she is underweight 1 she should have a round or built-up,- neckline. Anyone of a dozen varieties will (latter. Puffed sleeves are good if they continue down to the wrist, but if they end above the elbow 1 hoy only emphasise the length and slimness of the arm A modified mediaeval sleeve that comes from a square shoulder and extends to the elbow is most flattering for summer dresses. If seems (hat no girl ever has too slim a waistline, so if she measures only 17 inches around she can wear exactly the type of belt she pleases unless this line is out of proportion to the res! of the figure. Very full skirts do wonders for boyishly (lal hips, but they make slim leg? appear even slimmer so unless the legs are Dietrichs slim girls, like overweight ones, should stick to the straight and simple skirl. Panels and drapes are the slender one’s meat and can be used extensively in evening clothes this year According to the expert advice of Orry-Kelly, you see, the cut of a dress can add or subtract pounds for the figure.