BEACH FASHIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23322, 4 October 1945, Page 4

BEACH FASHIONS

Return Of Two-Piece Costume Styles Will Be Briefer Although the weather has not been appropriate, some Timaru shops are featuring displays of beach wear and the trend seems to be toward less and less, with the price increasing as the coverage measurements of the garment decrease. All but the few with Betty Grable figures will regret the return of tne two-piece swimming costume and sun suit, but it is anticipated that most of the female beach population will attempt to wear the style, so' unrelenting is the mandate of Fashion. Some of the austerity regulations had already been lifted when buyers made thenselections for this season six months ago, and it is reasonable to expect that there will be less restriction on luxury clothing lines from now on, so that Caroline Bay promises to be more sartorially interesting than it has been during the war years. Designers have anticipated the demand for gayer, more feminine styles natural in the immediate post-war period, and beach wear already on display features large floral and “loud” geometric patterns cut on the briefest lines. The two-piece costume which did not prove very popular a few years ago is striving for a come-back and it remains to be seen whether woman's better judgment will overrule her desire to be “in the swim.” Sun suits, especially, are being made in two pieces, although many of them have a matching skirt or shirt blouse. A popular American swim suit which has been off the market for several years will not be available, but the New Zealand factories have offered very attractive, well cut substitutes to departmental buyers. Prints in Favour Beach pyjamas, tne rage some years ago, are unlikely to return because of the material restrictions imposed on manufacturers, and beach coats? if worn at all, will be brief for the same reason. Towelling', which gained some favour last year for beach wear, is being shown again, but patterned prints appear to be in favour for everything from evening frocks, table cloths, and furnishings to sun suits. Nimble fingers will be able to fashion Palm Beach models out of the kitchen curtains, and if last year's bathing costume has been attacked by moths during the winter, the owner may well start a new fashion by embroidering the holes or patching with father’s pyjamas.