OUR PARIS LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17182, 27 October 1923, Page 9 (Supplement)

OUR PARIS LETTER.

(From PAULINE COUP LANDER.) A BLUE SEASON'. There is some prospect of this "being a. blue season : literally only, let us hope, for what with the Ruhr and the high price of every tiling except the franc itself, we have had quite enough of the metaphorical blues to last us several seasons. NAVY BLUE RETURN'S TO FAVOUR. Nary blue lias had but scant attention of late. It certainly made a tentative appearance early in the year, but all the lovely woven patterns and tempting colours rather ousted it from our best affections. Now the Fates who decide what our outer selves shall look like once more propose to clothe us in navy blue fine serge, gabardine, georgette and ninon. INDIAN AND PERSIAN DESIGNS. Other blues, too, are t<> get their chance, and there are silks woven in Indian and Persian designs in those ' lovely, intense, but ovid hues that we find on old pottery. Old Chinese silks and vases have helped to inspire the modern designer of dress materials who has used the celestial blues of the East, shimmering silks and brocades for evening wear and soft supple materials for the day. The waistline is certainly to bo nearer to its natural place than to that which it has occupied of late; in fact, on seme frocks it will be allowed to slip upwards towards the Empire style. DRAPED CLOAKS Draped evening cloaks will he worn and some are being made of two different materials: for instance, the upper half may be c l ;i soft silky material. printed or woven with an Indian design, and the lower part may he of a plain material matching the predominating colour. This fashion opens up pleasant \ istas for renova-

r ! tions. for what is to prevent our using ftwo -of last year's garments to make one of this year’s ! . On the whole there are signs that ' our clothes are to be les skimpy. Probably gored skirts will play ;i larger part than they have done for some time ; there is certainly a mere ample • movement about the hems. MILLINERx NOTES. I Ihe cloche hat has really enjoyed too much popularity to continue another season, but it is becoming to so - j many faces that it will probably re- " main in a slightly modified form—-with a rather lower crown and more spreading brim, for instance. A good many feathers will be used, both iii natural and artificial shapes.

The glycerined. emaciated-looking feather will again be draped round the crown; or bunches of ostrich tips will be set at the side of short-backed, long-fronted hats of the poke bonnet persuasion, reminding us of the dear ladies in Cranford and Jane Austen’s heroines. Stiff, upright, bristling little arrangements will be encouraged on silk bats, and flowers will bo seen on velvet and crepe de chine ones.