LATEST FASHIONS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2769, 9 April 1927, Page 2

LATEST FASHIONS

FROM THE CONTINENT. Four or five silhouettes, fill equally correct, dominate the fashion shows. Nowadays there is no one definite “lino” in .the height of fashion. Father there are a variety of fashions from which may be chosen the one which best becomes the personality of the wearer, who, if she is wise, will study her type, and keep to the style which is hers. Sports clothes will retain the straight and.narrow lino. Here the fullness will be given by inverted pleats or wrapover skirts. Coats may be of the double breasted or single button variety. The straight up and down frock, unbroken from neck to hem, is another mode which is promised a vogue. Formal frocks retain the slim line, but have a slight flare, and the waistline is defined by a belt, girdle, or by the draping of the material. For dance frocks the full skirt formed of many yards of material, but so soft that it: falls flat to the figure when the wearer is still, and with an almost normal and welldefined waist, is the newest, fashion. Hems arc irregular, and this effect may be gained in a number of ways The wide scalloped skirt, so suitable for taffetas and georgette, falls gracefully, and is ideal for the debutante. Petalled skirts are still to b 6 worn, for they give the uneven hemline perhaps better than any other. Skirts of uneven length, longer behind than they are. in front, or longer at the sides, or coming to a long point in front, will be seen on the new dance frocks. Fringe will be used, falling lower than the hem, to give the uneven appearance which fashion demands in all but tailored and sports clothes. The neckline will still be worn rounded at the front and cut into a deep V at the back. This is almost . universal for dance frocks, although a few of the newest models show a return to the square neck with shoulder straps. LACE FROCKS. It is more fashionable now to have your lace dresses interspersed with rows of tiny, pin-tucked ninon. The lace insertions must have the pattern going round instead of down from neck to hem. Sometimes the ninon slip has vertical tucks, and this looks unusual beneath the lace overslip. Different coloured laces are used to make frills on all-black dresses with carnival effect. GARDEN TINTS. Cornflower blue is a colour that is rapidly coming to the fore, and, in the lighter weight fabrics, it is as lovely as its name. A chiffon frock in real cornflower blue shade looked exquisite with a skirt that was one mass of floating petal panels, and a bodice that pouched slightly over the waistline, which was rather higher than usual. The one decorative note was somewhat daring, but exceedingly beautiful be-

cause it was used with such wonderful artistry; it consisted of a cluster of

scarlet silk poppies pinned at the waist —but towards the back, not the front!

COLLARS AND CUFFS,

.Collars and cuffs arc very fashionable this season. Nearly all the new afternoon and semi-evening frocks are relieved by dainty little collars ana cuffs made of georgette, net or muslin, and nothing could be prettier than some of the designs seen lately. For instance, one ‘ ‘ set ’ ’ I saw recently was made of

peach pink orgamli, and had its edges trimmed with a border of narrowest, finest lace. A linen set would look well if.it was trimmed with square shaped lace medallions, set diamondwise round the edges of the collar ami cuffs. Some of the newest collars arc cut in one with jabot frills or vests. Quite the easiest way of making these vests, and, incidentally, one of the most effective—is to join two straps of real filet insertion together, by means of a narrowed piece-of insertion, whileJtlie whole is edged round with lace. This makes a straight front, which is joined to a collar of plain organili or ninon. trimmed with a filet lace medallion inset at either side. When making these sets, it is well to remember that all shades of pale fawn are venq fashionable at the moment, and arc smarter for collars and cuffs than plain white, unless, of course, you want white to complete a colour scheme. Ruffles of lace and net, trim collars and cuffs of muslin and net, and pleats play their part in trimming, too. Nearly all jabots are pleated, or at least have 1 - pleated ends. EVENING GOWNS. Evening gowns are especially interesting this year—they arc. characterised by their difference to dinner gowns and dance frocks. This difference is embodied as much in the choice of the fabric and colour, as in . the line; of ■ A ress. ' .Very atJ raet ive also areth< ; dinner and dance frocks which somewhat recall afternoon frocks in line. ' Dinner frocks, which are often mad. in black crepe georgette and lace, frequently have a straight skirt and a bodice ..trimmed with a bolero, which sometimes gives a cape effect at tieback. On dance frocks a flat bolero is often met with, but here the skirts are. frequently gathered or plisso or else they are flounced, either flat or gutheie<l round of pointed designs at tie bottom. When the dress is of chiffon it is sometimes trimmed with a floating panel, which starts from the shoulder and reaches to the hem of the frock, or even below it, generally placed at the back. TRANSPARENT HEMS. i ~ The nfew apologies for really longevening frocks, says ,a> London scribe, is given by means of tulle or chiffon. The required length is only assumed. All the smartest evening frocks have transparent hems now—which often reach to the wearer’s ankles. Underneath is worn a full transparent tulle or chiffon petticoat—of the same shade exactly, so that a delicious opaque effect is achieved when the wearer moves. The prettiest way to attach the tulle is by cutting out the skirt in vandvked points over it. SEVERAL NEW STYLES IN COLLARS. Several new styles in collars are being shown. The “Bateau,” which suffered a temporary eclipse—last season —is once more, in style, and in some evening and afternoon gowns is cut wider, in order to touch the tip of each shoulder. The dropped neckline is also fashionable, and is seen much' in the evening gown cut after the idea of the robe do style. There is a new, graceful, rounding neck' trimming—a/hand-, kerchief collar, and another fetching collar of white organdi, cut like a yoke. ■ In the lingerie department, there is a special display of the new pyjamas—knee breeches replacing the full-length trousers. They fast an with buttons below the knee, and are cut very widely higher up, the “flared” effect being at once piquant and comfortable. The latest.dance hanky is a fascinating affair in coloured crepe de chine, with an embroidered figure in the corner, carrying a large envelope. Inside, a tiny powder-puff .may be concealed, and the envelope buttoned down.