BOND STREET IMPRESSION

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1929, Page 18

BOND STREET IMPRESSION

“WELL BRED CLOTHES." THE TAILOR-MADE VOGUE. 1 (By Diana Dane.) “Well-bred clothes” is the latest slogan in Bond Street and its environs. And very “well-bred” do most of the typically British clothes look on the typically British mannequins who show them off with such supreme artistry. Britain is most assuredly coming into her own in the world of dress; it is not a case of “Paris every time” these days! A few impressions gained at a recent display in London may, therefore, 'be interesting. Of course, tailored suits and frocks come first, because we have always been the acknowledged sponsors of the “tailor-made vogue.” Wonderfully cut, wonderfully pressed, and wonderfully slim is the tailored suit of 1929, which is developed, for preference, in “men’s suiting.” Sometimes the coat is double-breasted, end often there is more than a suggestion of a waistline—not a tight-laced-looking line, but just a gentle “nip in” at exactly the right placte. The skirt is probably provided with a neat yoke which keeps the hipline all trim and slender; a few pleats fall from it. as likely as not, or else the cut is of the circular order which flares towards the hem —very young! A variety of changes may be rung with accompanying tuck-in blouses or jumpers. Say, for example, your

chosen suit is black, brown, blue or grey — O ne of the “triumphant four” of the tailored-made clothes salon—your selection of blouses may well be in such delightful shades as ivory, flesh-pink, primrose-yellow and very pale cafe au lait, all of which will tone in with any one of the accepted suit colours. And the fabrics of these blouses may vary from fine lawn to dull satin. The picture appeals, does it not? We do not, by any means, insist on “men’s suiting” as the one fabric for a tailor-made costume. We like tweed, facecloth, broadcloth, and superfine serge as well; for lighter suits we permit tussore, while linen and satin have their appropriate places in our best salons.

Tailor-made frocks are equally agreeable. We do such wonderful things with belts, collars and cuffs, these days! but if belts are considered to have been a little overworked, there is a very new frock, cut on Princess lines, with a perfectly fitting bodice fastened up the front with flat t enamel buttons. The line of the bodice —and the buttons — continues to the hips, whence, by some miraculous trick of the master-cutter, the skirt starts to flute its way to the hem. The waist is distinctly marked, though there is no belt—not even a piping. White linen collar and cuffs look exquisitely fresh and fragrant on this model which, incidentally, is developed in navy broadcloth. So far as evening gowns are concerned, Bond Street insists on the “moulded” line from shoulders to hips. No-one objects to this, of course, because it is quite the most becoming line we have had for many seasons. The skirt of such a modeL is probably cut in circular fashion, with cunningly contrived dips at intervals; or, maybe, it is full and floating, edged with ruffles or with beautiful crystal flowers and leaves in miniature —charming, this last note!

Even informal evening frocks for “little parties” and “intimate dinners” are much more formal than hitherto, though they lose none of their youthful charm on this account. There are no “straight-up-and-down” dresses these days, and knees are always discreetly covered. Lace is a favourite fabric for such dresses, a particularly charming example being fashioned with long, tightfitting sleeves, a rather high oval neckline,. and a trailing scarf en suite. Chiffon is in the picture, too, and most of the best models thus materialised are accompanied by their own tiny transparent coatees, possibly adorned with the crystal flowers which are so beautifully in vogue at the moment.* ' .