SEASONAL FASHIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20670, 8 March 1937, Page 14

SEASONAL FASHIONS

Preparations For Coronation

(From Our Own Correspondent) London, Jan. 16. DESIGNERS and dressmakers, planning to display their Coronation models, are working at top speed. Not only have they to prepare elaborate gowns for the fortunate women who will be present at the actual ceremony, but they must have clothes to show to others who will be entertaining on a large scale throughout the season. In addition, they are inundated with orders for party frocks for present wear, and they must, also, develop new ideas for morning and afternoon suits and dresses to provide variety in the mid season. Lace remains a favourite material in which to express gay dance dresses for debutantes, the old idea that it is essentially for the older woman having been disproved. Cire laee, in black, white, or a delicate . pastel shade, is excellent for the girl of 17 as it is for her mother. Many smart women are wearing white lace dresses at important parties just now. Usually the foundation dress is shimmering satin, fitted to the figure, and the lace, slightly stiff, is gathered and flounced over it. A particularly charming expression of the vogue comprises a slim under-dress of satin, with a full laee over-skirt left open in front to show a panel of the foundation. The satin itself serves for the actual bodice, and over this is slipped a plainly tailored lace jacket which flutes slightly below the W'aist. There is a quaint, demure look about a dress like this, which should appeal to those who like picturesque effects. 'Still on the light and airy side are dainty frocks of tucked organdi. These are not so practical as the lace ones because, whereas the latter will stand several evenings of strenuous dancing and look none the worse, the former need constant attention, otherwise they go limp and crushed. A crisp organdi frock, how-

ever, deserves consideration because it suggests, as few others can, the freshness of youth. I have seen it cut on Empire lines, the tiny bodice, with low neck and small sleeves, almost hidden beneath a cluster of flowers in vivid colours. Delicate chiffon is another winner among the party dress fabrics. It is tucked and pleated and draped with fine effect, and, in black, makes a splendid background for bright touches of colour in the form of paste or floral adornments. A Good Purchase. One of the smartest and most economical ways of dealing with the evening dress problem, which is a serious one when the engagement list is long and the purse is short, is to have a really well-cut dress in rich, black satin. It can stand alone, relying upon its clever “line” for success, or it can be W'orn with various jaunty little jackets of taffetas, lacquered lame, or brocade, which may be as gay and colourful as fancy dictates.

As an alternative to the jackets, there might also be a “lamp shade” type of tunic in silver or gold tissue, slightly stiffened at the hern to stand out importantly and give one of the most popular silhouettes of the moment. A noticeable feature of evening gowns for the festive season is the partial disappearance of the train. Most skirts clear the floor’ by an inch or two all round, and some of those for younger people are only ankle length. A sensible change, when dancing takes chief place in the evening’s amusement. More formal gowns, chosen by older women, show lovely draperies which still retain the slender silhouette, and these models have small trains. Some of the new velvets used for dresses of this type are so supple and fine that they drape as well as chiffon. Black velvet is successful—it does not “date,” always looks right, and is the most economical proposition I can think of for the woman who must appear well dressed on a modest income.