HATS OF THE 'EIGHTIES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXI, Issue 2775, 14 November 1931, Page 6

HATS OF THE 'EIGHTIES

WOiRN WITH ENSEMBLES OF 1931. FASHIONS AT ETC CARTON. Strolling on to the lawn at Riccarton any day during the past week's racing a student of fashion might have been pardoned a gasp of astonishment. Cup Day usually sees the first parade of the sinnnior styles, but there was a variety Oj! frocking that took away the breath ot the onlooker. There were long frocks and short frocks, and middle-length frocks; there were frocks of floating ninon and tailored frocks of crepe do chine; there were' frocks with little coatees, and frocks with elbow-length sleeves. There were, apparently, frocks of every fashion and every design from 1889 to 193.1. The bowler of the 80's was worn with the crepe dc chine frock of our own day; it even met on friendly terms with a tentative attempt at the pannier fashion of an earlier age, says the Christ-church "Sun." These little bowlers, semi-bowlers and Eobin Hood hats were very popular. Without doubt the .urylc is quaint

and novel, and it suited many of .its champions. The bowler, however, nceuJ youth or faultless.features-;.. eoniMnatlon of the two is best.

Long trailing frocks of chiffon lent a truly race-day effect to the lawn. Some of th«~e»were worn with enormous flop hats and little tight coats. Or such costumes, our eyes refreshed by the novel effect we now say "How quaint! "or " How delightful!'» In 10 years' time, alas, we may look back in liofror and remark, "Did we over look like that?" Just to mention a few of r.ho outstanding features of the day. Ostrich feathers, for instance. These trailed from bowler hats in just the fashion wo admired as children in pur grandmother's portrait in the family album. Distinctly opposed to this fashion was the modern note, borrowed from the film star —the band of fur round the floating sleeves of a chiffon gown. A few very young girls wore delightful little frocks of pastel-coloured orjt&ndie. One of blush-pink had a satin s'l'h of deep blue. It was just like the s.-sh that grandmother donned with pride for a party. Throughout, the weather was kind to all, neither too warm nor too chill. Both chiffon and tweed ensemble were suitable; each women felt she had selected the exact garment the day demanded. And what more can feminine heart desire?