FASHION NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 24

FASHION NOTES.

The Divided Skirt is the Latest Vogue. (By AX EXPERT.) This spring one of the leading fashion ideas of Paris is the divided skirt. Divided skirts are the true sartorial badge of freedom to modern women, just as lavender and old whalebones were the soul of the crinoline period. May be! That remains to be seen, but judging from the success of pyjamas, there would appear to be some truth in this. Pyjamas, for the home, for the beach, and now for evening, are getting on famously in fashions. Divided skirts came into Paris modes, timidly, last season, and this spring they are going strong. These completely feminine garments are not usually called trousers, but since the great minds that made the dictionary, defined that garment as something “covering each leg separately,” they deserve the name. We won’t insist. By any other name they look as sweet, and Paris is showing these bifurcated skirts for daytime as well as for evening and for sports. Divided Skirts of Full Circle Variety. The majority of divided skirts are of the full-circle variety, and the regulation length is just off the floor. One sees such divided skirt frocks of chiffon for afternoons and for garden parties. Many are made pleated, in handkerchief linen, in net, or georgette, and with very short pants under them. One seen in pale pink has wide accordion-pleated lace trousers, and a lace coat over a satin bodice. There is nothing particularly sensational about the divided skirt, as Paris shows it for daytime. The way that each leg is separately covered is concealed by a panel, laid over the back of the divided skirt. Some of the divided daytime skirts are concealed under centre inverted box pleats. Or kneelength tunics are put over pleated trousers, so that all we see of the latter are lOin-wide pleated ruffles below the tunics. Trouser and skirt combinations are also frequent and they are usually united thus: A wrap-around skirt is put over a pair of short*, and it can be removed. For active and spectator sports this idea is good. It makes one outfit do for two things. The question most frequently asked about the divided skirt is, “Why divide it at all if it is so completely disguised ?” What’s the reason ? That question will have to be satisfactorily answered before women take to this style in wholesale lots. Interesting Styles for Daytime Wear. Smart and jaunty little suite are among the most interesting styles for daytime wear this spring. They have had a “try-on” on the Riviera, and hare met with tremendous success. Some of them may be called tailored but by far the most charming do not come into this category; they are too feminine, with too many original and surprising little details about them. For instance, a georgette tailleur will be trimmed with pin tucks, with a short loose coat to match. In heavier crepes the afternoon frocks are sometimes fitted over the hip, where they are trimmed with cording or fine tucks, with a slightly flared skirt. Several coats for spring are shown in fine cloth trimmed with fur. Many of these are full length, but the majority are three-quarter length. Shepherd’s plaid is a thing that never looses its popularity with the French, and it is being used for attractive models, where the skirt is usually of the finely-pleated plaid, and the coat, in dark blue, dark green, or scarlet. These are delightfully youthful frocks. The zip-fastener advocates the total disappearance of the hook and button. For instance, a trim navy blue suit seen is noticeable by the uses to which the zip-fastener is put; it attaches the wrap-over slprt, secures the side pockets and closes the coat. Afternoon Frocks. Afternoon frocks with skirts which fall to the ankle and long sleeves are a new feature. Usually they show a silhouette which fite snugly round the hips and falls by means of pleats. Pleating, in fact, is quite one of the most favourite means of introducing fullness on the skirts. The contrasting corsage is a general new feature of afternoon dresses. For instance with a threepiece suit of dark red crepe there is a beige satin corsage, the long basque ol which is split up to the waist in front, the coat being three-quarter length. And a pale blue silk pique (jacket and blouse) flecked with black skirt, forms a twopiece dress. Some of the most attractive models this season are being made in plain materials, with jabots or vests of narrow frilled lace to give them relief. One black frock seen at a recent fashion showing had a bolero jacket effect which opened in front, to display a vest ol thick ecru lace, which lace also appeared as cuffs on the sleeves. Our Sketch. The illustration shows a pretty suit in spotted beige and brown crepe de chine with buttons to one side. It is clasped with a narrow beigs leather belt.