The Tunic Returns

Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 5

The Tunic Returns

The tunic vogue, which has been made possible by the longer waistline, will be popular for the autumn. Earlier in the year a well-known London designer predicted the autumn tunic, which is a favourite fashion for the “between-season,’’ as it provides a change from the eternal tweed coat and skirt. In a thin olive-green ribbed cloth, a straight belted tunic looked well with a tight underskirt and slipwaistcoat in a tiny green-and-black pin spot crepe. The belt, of matching green leather, was studded with dull silvered nails, which also provided the front fastening. With this was worn one of the new black velvet caps with a choux of green in the front, and a pale grey fox tie. Light tunics in stitched wool and rather long-waisted bodices are ideal for the early autumn days to replace the cottons and crepons of summer All colours and styles in wool miterials are made decorative by designs in wool decoration, crochet, and open work, with all kinds of novel effects in sampler and cross-stitch, punched and drawn-work. The simple wool garment can become a costly affair by the introduction of hand-darning. Acorns, buttons of silver, gold, or a new green-bronze are an interesting finish to severely tailored tunics. Dress jewellery is eliminated, for no beads can be worn with these metal trimmings. Metal butons, fastenings, and ornamental hooks and eyes make a change, but should not be overdone, for garments with too many of these fastenings are very tiring. The decorative and beautiful buttons of Louis XVI. trend will doubtless follow with the velvets and richer fabrics of winter.

Dark colours will prevail. Black, a very dark brown, and a dull olive green, nasturtium, and a Tudor red are smart for luxurious fabrics, and also navy, mulberry, and dark purple. Although less black was shown in the earliest collections, it will once again score and is always a town favourite. Waists will be normal or distinctly on the longer side for day, although some houses will introduce Empire styles for evening. Coats can be varied to taste and requirements. Very smart is the three-quarter coat, and tunic of a short three-quarter length. Skirts are slightly shorter for sport, to the calf for ordinary wear and just off the ground for evening. Shoulder lines are wide, but more fitted and a little difficult unless carefully arranged, as they closely follow the natural line. Raglan sleeves are charming for big coats and wraps, but not at all easy for the tighter-fitted variety. Another difficult style is the shaped shoulder berthe, which is often made in contrasting colour and fabric, so that it becomes almost a cape. It is pretty ir. wool fabric with a stit.hed or some decorative edging. A pale green cloth dress with a long waist and shaped cape-piece, which fitted the shoulders tightly, was in black cloth with tvrreted edges and buttoned up the front with black cloth buttons. This was worn with a stitched felt cloche and a tie of black and green silk.