Dresses of the Week

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18887, 11 October 1929, Page 12

Dresses of the Week

" STELLA "

Written by

All around one sees yellow! Wherever I go the prettiest clothes are shown in one of the many tones of this lovely colour; in fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that it will be a “yellow” summer. There are tennis and seaside frocks in washing silks and cottons, scarves, bags, and hats, all to match in thick crepe de chine; dainty woollen sweaters, entirely untrimmed, in shades ranging from the warmest daffodil to the colder tones of citron. And what kind colours they are! The warmer ones suit blonde and brunette equally well, while the harder ones are just right for the olive skinned. Now all the nicest tweed overcoats are cut even “slicker” in line than ever, many having slightly shaped backs. It is the belt, worn round the real waistline, however, which is the attractive note. Mostly these belts are made in tweed to match, with rows of stitching to embellish them, or in good plain leather to tone. See that you have it in the right place—no half and half measures, between waist and hips—that won’t do at all! All the n’.cest “tuckin’” shirts are kept severely plain, stitched strappings being the only form of decoration which seems permissible at all. The loveliest evening frocks for the “not quite so young” are modelled in shaded satin—cream running into deep orange, silver grey to lapis blue, and so on. The prettiest arrangement I have seen had a bodice shading from dark on the shoulder to light at the waist, and for the skirt light at the waist to dark at the hem, while, of course, there are still heaps of fluffy tulle and chiffon evening frocks. Again, soft moire is very popular. Do you know how entirely lovely this moire is in dead white, relieved with some well-chosen ornament in either yellow or a certain shade of rose-pink? If you can run to one, do —you will love it. Choose a simple sheath-like dress and trim it subtly, and remember that moire washes beautifully. Of course, buttonholes and shoulder flowers are absolutely out. There’s not one to be found! Scarves and ends have taken their places. A very engaging frock of cafe beaute and taffetas had on the left shoulder a narrow strap of amber-coloured strass, while the right

had a fluffed-up ruche of taffetas.

Cotton frocks are made with very tight bodices and very full, bunchy skirts. They are such a pleasant change!

Taking everything into consideration, I should say that colours are' clearer and sheerer, and there are fewer patterned materials, excepting only those which make silk frocks and little slipon coats. Plain little dresses with stitched bands, guileless hats with neat ribbon trimming, tweed or frieze coats rule absolutely. It is colour, colour, colour that is to be the all-important feature of the summer. Silks are to be the first favourite for this season’s tennis frocks. In the long run they are more economical, because you can wash them so easily yourself. And the simple washing-silk tennis frock is equally chic with the addition of a few etceteras which I can talk about later, for informal afternoon or evening wear this season. It’s a white season, you see. All the most distinctive evening frocks are white—simple and unadorned. The point nowadays is that a dead white isn’t essential. The slightly off-white is considered really more smart. So is a limp, dull effect. Starched figures and linens are hardly ever seen. There are lovely limp cotton materials to choose from, too; crepes are particularly good. I need hardly, I hope, remind you that anything transparent is quite, quite impossible. Monograms are very much used as a trimming, using two colours. One colour entirely on one half of it and the other half of a different shade. I saw an attractive example of this in perfectly plain white corded silk, made with a round neck and no sleeves. Over the right side was a flowery monogram, one half worked in yellow and the other half in blue. Tiny socks worn with it were edged with yellow and blue bands. Just a small touch, but it made the frock distinctive. The tennis coat is always a bit of a problem. Can you really afford one, you ask? And I say yes. if you make it yourself and don’t necessarily choose white, as it does soil very quickly. Don’t think I am againt white for any other reason. I’m not. I prefer it —infinitely—and it does for countless

other uses. But pale shades are just as smart, and certainly keep clean much longer. Mustard yellow, for instance, or lime green. Or a very light grey. These three shades are quite lovely. Keep the coat absolutely plain—don’t trim it at all. Your scarf is going to do that. No tennis get-up is complete without a scarf these days. You’ll have to make it yourself, because the scarves you buy—unless you pay a fairly big price—are so commonplace. And the very newest—the striped ones that look like “Varsity colours”—aren’t at all easy to get. Straight scarves, about a yard long, are the best wear with tennis coats. And double ones are really warm, so they are practical, too. A “tweed” effect is often aimed at rather than a bright coloured one. Brown, yellow and white is a very good combination. The most economical hats are the felt ones—l’d choose white. White hats are really very becoming, and white felt dyes most beautifully afterwards. I d have a small brim, if I were you. Skull caps and turbans aren’t very satisfactory to slip on after a strenuous game. They require too much careful adjustment for any of us over the age of nineteen! It s worth while spending money on good shoes, as the canvas ones don’t last very well and they tire your feet. I like the plain one-strap or the lacing ones best. And please get them in allwhite. You’ll be sorely tempted not to, I know, for the shops are full of white ones, intricately patterned with red and green and blue strapping. But you must restrain yourself. These sort of shoes are frankly common if they are cheap. Only the very expensive editions of them are worth buying, and then only if you are one of those lucky people who can afford a pair of shoes to every frock. They tie you so for colour. As for jewellery, none at all,, please (except, of course, a string of pearls—real or very small so that they might be real—large artificial ones are too awful for words). I have seen bracelets looking quite attractive, but I’d always infinitely rather see a perfectly bare arm on the tennis court.