UMBRELLA CONSCIOUSNESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 19

UMBRELLA CONSCIOUSNESS

Parisian society long scorned the umbrella, but there has been a complete surrender to British custom. The former prejudice possibly amounted to an affirmation of the brightness of the gay and lovely city on the Seine compared with foggy and drizzly London. It was not the faded old umbrella of Mr Chamberlain that worked the charm, an admission by even his most ardent admirers. The reason of the surrender lies in the good sense of the French people, combined with their recognition that the umlxella and parasol lend themselvf owing to the swing of fashion, to a display of adiant colour that happily reflects the French temperament. The parasol has a direct reference to sunshine. The umbrella can, however, play the part of the parasol as well as its own. The Parisian critics used to regard the umbrella as an offspring of the prosaic English temperament, A little commonplace, shall we say? But reawakening of colour possibilities has changed everything. The whole world is " crazy " on colour. At the important French race meetings this season an elevated . view si'"Tested a richlycoloured garden, but the flowers were the new parasols.

The parasols made triumphant progress last month, and according to the cables the sunshine has been prolonged more than is usual, although we must except 1938. which was a meteorological miracle. Shortly in the cooler months the umbrella will burs! on the scene on grey days and here again colour will be a strong feature The oil silk umbrella has won its place for effectiveness as well as gay colourings. A hint may be in order. Remember that through the transparent oil silk the light is directed on to the makeup, sometimes with unfortunate results. Experience shows that creams and golden tints cast a brieht light on the face, while greens and blues are doubtful and at times dismaying.