ACHIEVING DISTINCTION IN FROCKS

Shannon News, 30 October 1928, Page 4

ACHIEVING DISTINCTION IN FROCKS

The smartly dressed woman of to-day, regardless of her means, is not satisfied with Wearing merely a pretty frock. She insists that thero shall be at least one style-note of distinction about each costume although her clothes must be made according to the same general pattern which the rest of her ■ world employs. Each frock must bring out the good points in her figure and minimise its faults. It must exactly suit her type and yet it must not go so far in following fads that anyone can date the year of its "making by the features it displays. She demands gowns that will afford her real pleasure in wearing and will give others pleasure at the sight of her in theni. Moreover the price of the models must fit her purse. The «lever woman of to-day looks the shops over carefully with an eye to materials used and detail employed on tks most-expensive frocks. She seeks for modern note*. Style Points Individualised.

The heavy woman may observe with dismay the close-fitting hip in the fall mode,\ then she discovers with relief that a cape, a slightly Mousing bodice, or an irregular hem-line modifies to a surprising extent that telltale curve at her back. She sees the delightful possibilities for her type in the diagonal lino in bodice and- skirt, in the points described by the hem-line and in the bow with long ends that, correctly placed, makes her girth appear much smaller than it really is. The slender woman notes how a huge bow at just the right place in the back gives to her type of figure an effect of butterfly lightness she has long desired to attain, or a neck-line that is new to her wardrobe gives an appearance that is decidedly becoming. These facts are easily established, but when it comes to finding a frock of the size, colour, and materials one desires, and which possesses the becoming features one has noted, and which is yet within the limits of one's purse, that is quite another thing. It is this difficulty that drives the clever woman to evolving her own costumes. Price Considerations.

The price of an entirely satisfactory and individual gown evolved by the wearer need not exceed that paid for readymades that are less distinctive. If ,for instance, one has been paying about £3 for silk frocks, one may buy for about 12s the pattern, thread and ornament needed, which leaves £2 12s' for material. Unless one is of very ample figure, four yards of goods of the regulation width is a liberal allowance for a gowu. This means that material costing approximately 12s a yard • may be employed. Moreover, such material is in most cases superior to that found in a £3 readymade frock. Nor need one sacrifice all the pretty little fancies of the hour for the sake of having a dress one will enjoy as long a? it } 01d.3 t'. .nfur. Take the popular <*np<% for in-jtifcc. Some i-tjle experts prophesy that the cape will be with us for a long time, others do not agree that it will remain in favour. Ho wove?, the woman to whom a cape is becoming may well avail herself of the mode. It is only a matter of a few moments to remove the Ylrape whenever one tires of it.

The same may be said of points on skirts. An allowance for a new binding or a hem, when cutting the material, enables one to get an entirely different hem-line in short order, and tht straight hem is always "in."