FORTHCOMING FASHIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 833, 5 August 1933, Page 20 (Supplement)

FORTHCOMING FASHIONS.

Paris Varies the Beret With Ostrich Feathers. FRIVOLOUS SLEEVES. (BY A PARIS EXPERT.) The new fashion gives very marked expression to two forms of inspiration directed towards the future, and the simplicity of a beautiful line, while the other is under the influence of the past, of which it utilises everything that can delight and charm. The attraction of the past accounts for the number of second Empire dresses which are simply amusing—nothing more. They

would be quite out of place in the pro sent epoch of rapid movement. We need not pay too much attention to this current of retrospective novelties, except in regard to graceful mannerisms which give full effect to handsome materials, it being evident that the couturier must have everything of the very best quality to give these ample, long and elaborately worked dresses the “precious” style with a touch of impertinence, which is their great charm. They will be in the reach only of those women who cultivate the highest form of “chic,” and don’t care what they spend on their toilettes. But there will always be plenty of pretty practical dresses for all occasions. The Beret Always in Fashion.

The girl who doesn’t look well in a beret must find present-day life discouraging and disappointing, for berets are one of the principal millinery fashions of the moment. The Parisiennc won’t give up her beret, and mostly wears it pulled down in front, or on the front and one side. The all-ostrich beret is a new kind, but most girls prefer the felt or velvet beret iu black or any brilliant colour that pleases them. The bi-corns with the down-in-front trimming which is so fashionable just now is the millinery choice of many smart Parisiennes this autumn. Several shades of one colour make a new millinery colour feature. The famous >stricli feather beret is made entirely of -inv ringlets of pastel-coloured ostrich tips with splashes of darker colour in front and on top. The ostrich is sewed »u to a foundation beret of taffeta.

' Feathers, velvet ribbon, pins and buckles are the trimmings that are being starred. No special trimming is strikingly in evidence, trimming being used abstemiously and only to enhance the line and effect of a hat. Fashionable Neckline. While the new sleeves are frivolous and full, the new necklines are exceedingly modest and almost puritanical to the average spectator. We will have suddenly gone either demurely modest or effectively ecclesiastical with tab and bib-like collars, long, white, ve6t-like plastrons and deep cuffs, always of white in either silk or pique; some of these high collars tie at the back, and the ends hang down to the back of your waistline. Chiffon scarves of colourful handblocked chiffon are worn with afternoon dresses and suits. They are copies of

peasants’ scarves with all the vivid shades of blue, red and yellow. You wear them in a cascade of colour fluttering from a loose, knotted tie. Sleeves for tiie new coats have an important role. They do a lot to give a feminine air to a smart wrap. Capelets and caps at the top of sleeves continue to be favoured in Paris. Shirred sleeves are new; Sleeves with very much reduced balloon puffs are word, and sleeves with fur trimming placed on the upper sleeve are many.