FASHION NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES

THE COLLAPSE OF FLAPPER FASHIONS. (By A PARISIAN EXPERT.) A new idea which the dressmakers are adopting, is the idea of charm for every age, but not the same kind of charm; beauty for all ages, but not a rubberstamp standard for it. The collapse of flapper fashions was a great boon to women generally, and since then, many have been looking a lot better. There is an ageless quality In the clothes of to-day, that don’t remind you of years, or date line. More than at any time in the history of costume, from the fig-leaf down, all women can follow fashions without doing wrong to their natural charms. The present-day styles are a sort of cure-all, but they have to be taken in proper doses, diluted or strengthened, according to age or capacity. The New Line. The older woman may, and wisely will choose for her clothes, colour schemes, either bright, subdued shades, or soft inter-tones. She will avoid the sombre, and the garish. There is a real beauty in the face and figure, touched by life and experience, and dead black reduces this beauty to stodginess, while brilliant colours make it appear old. A deep,-wine-red is a glorious complement to grey or white hair, and equally so, is the subtle violet-blue of the periwinkle. Rich black enlivened by white around the face and shoulders, is often perfect for the woman who is no longer young. Where white is trying, relieve your black with pale rose, blue or pearl-grey, if you must wear it. Grey all alone, without any contrast, is often a charming shade for the older woman, but if her hair is turning, she should avoid beige, and if it is pure white, the new, rich wine-brown is highly flattering, if her eyes are brown. If they are blue, she’ll prefer dark blue, with some of the sapphire in it. Hats—Much Effect With a Little Care Hats this season do not go alone, thej nearly always have scarves and bags tc match, and it is astonishing how mud effect may be achieved with a little thought and a little care. Most of th« new scarves are original, either in shape or colouring, or both. Those intended to wear with tailored-suits are for the most part designed to give neat finish tc the neck, if it is needed; for example, for a chilly day, there are scarvps which turn themselves into the smartest of cravats. Others have a rakish air, and could be worn very effectively with an autumn frock. One seen recently, was in triangle form, and made of red georgette, lined with white, while, at one corner, was sewn a large red enamelled ring, through which the other end could be drawn. Another, in cravat form, had a centre of white crepe de chine, printed in red and black leaves, while the ends were of plain black. The printed crepe also comprised the lining. Hats are an important item and complete an ensemble. One fitted hat in tweed, moulding the head—with a little bow catching the tiny rolled-back brim away from the face, matched the coat it topped. Some delightful models for day and evening wear are 'being shown. Hats, in velvet and felt for autumn and winter, are very individual in design, and strike just the right note to the costume with which they are worn. Our Sketch. Cape coat in the most ambrosially light black chiffon cloth. It is trimmed

at the bottom of the skirt par* in black fox fur, which fur, can, of course, be omitted if desired.