Dresses of the Week

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 18 July 1924, Page 9

Dresses of the Week

How many people realise that, "‘too too solid flesh” is very like a pair o: Wellington boots, quite easy to pul on, but very difficult to take oir. It is useless to deny that the slim. *‘.slinky" figure is now the rage ; beaut\ judges favour it. costumiers and dressdesigners cater for it. Dame Fashion | insists on it, and every woman de-- | sires it. ; These are strenuous days I Up with j the lurk, to get in the twenty minutes’ exercises you simply must do if you want to keep straight and slim, and supple enough for these merciless frocks, and then a day dashing off from present appointments to prepare for those of the week after next. And these simple clothes, that look as if you never - gave them a thought—don’t they take a lot of wearing? In the morning we have to look boyish with out looking mannish, and in the evening to appear as a bird of Paradise without getting that “over done” effect. You will be glad to note that black silk stockings have—l always vowed that if I wrote fashion articles I wouldn’t say “have come into their own,” but that's what they have done. They have quite superseded beige and sunburn shades for wear with black frocks. That is a bit of luck for some of us who have half a dozen pairs laid up in lavender, awaiting better days ! i At the moment suits are very slim and straightly sut, and a smart one. worn by a girl brom the “Bank,” is no exception to the general rule. The material is wool rep, in the ever fashionable shade of navy blue, and the trimming is divided by narrow rows of black silk braid. Two points worthy of notice in this smart outfit are the high collar finished with two buttons, and the new' long sleeves hanging loose at the waist. A neat finish is provid-

Written by

“STELLA”

‘ be considered as the ‘ ‘batety i? -rsx j in matters sartorial, and that is. ■ carry out your colour scheme irom head ! to foot. Those with s. limited income are ! forced to wear very few colours indeed, j A new dress of the latest shade means j a new hat, and most probably new ; shoes, stockings and gloves. To change j the look of a close-fitting iittle hat, one • can quarter and encircle its crown with { ribbon, bind its brim likewise, and j stick a pert feather mount of cheerful colouring over one ear. Don’t have two of these mounts, one is far more chic, and does not spoil the “line” of the hat nor broaden the race. Dances are now in “full swing,” and in most of the evening gowns tiio fronts are prettily draped, or rucked, or panelled, but their backs are left severely alone. But the stout figure must surely see that so trying-a mode must be treated carefully. This is where ingenuity comes in, and should do so. Side-panels can be cunningly manipulated in this direction. One thing is certain, there is an absolute craze for a frock which reveals three or four shades of the same colour. Such combinations have a far greater smartness than a contrast, unless that same contrast is well thought out and planned with great skill. And of all colours that lend themselves to this graduated treatment, I think mauve, pink and yellow are best. One can do exquisite things with mauve. Figure to yourself the possi bilities of a frock of pinky-mauve net; over bluey-mauve taffeta, with alternate taffetas frills of pinky mauve and bluey mauve, and reddish purple flowers with ribbons of all three shades on the shoulder! That colour scheme 7 heard of from 'a girl who has recentlyvisited one of the famous houses it? Hanover Square, and people were in raptures about it.

ed by the narrow' belt of the material defining the low waist line. One sees many gay and attractive golfing costumes, both on and off the links a well-known golf enthusiast has j a smart coat carried out in a rough I tweed checked in mauve and grey. Cut on loose, comfartable lines, it is pouched at the waist, over a buckled belt of the material. It is made with . one of the new collars, which can be butoned up closely to the throat, and a further finish is provided by the big pockets. A narrowly-pleated skirt of grey clotli is its attractive accompaniDraped evening gowns have never lost their place in the favour of welldressed women. One attractive example of this style, 1 saw at a ball this week, was carried out in old-gold satin, with lace of the same shade forming the deep V-shaped vest, and the widelyhanging sleeves. The graceful line of the dress was heightened by the clever way in which the wrap skirt was caught to one side to give the effect of a waterfall panel, softly draped at f?io waist. At the home of a well-known Feudal ton hostess, this week, the eldest daughter, who is a pretty fair girl, wore a delightful afternoon gown of oyster-coloured marocain, which owed much of its smartness to the clever placing of the embroidery bands. These were worked in dull blues and gold, and buttons to tone finished the waistband. over which the graceful crossover bodice was slightly pouched. The sleeves were kared out widely and then caught tightly to the wrist by a narrow cuff of the embroidery. There is an art in being welldressed. It is not merely a question of a big dress allowance —in fact, “plenty to spend” makes the danger of choosing the wrong thing all the greater. There is one rule which must