SPRING RACES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 2

SPRING RACES

FASHIONS ON THE LAWN HATS, RATHER THAN FROCKS, MATCH THE SEASON .Clear skies and a slight breeze made conditions very pleasant for racegoers at the Wanganui Jockey Club's spring meeting on Saturday, after an unpromising night and morning of rain. Most of the spectators from a i distance came prepared for more rain with mackintoshes and overcoats. Although the spring race meeting is supposed to be lhe first occasion on which fashions for the coming season are aired, the early September is generally too chilly and uncertain of mood to don anything but warm outfits. It is hats rather than frocks which make <he fashion news, for most women prefer to take a sporting chance with the weather as regards head-dress rather than suffer the discomforts ot a chilly wind in a new spring outfit. It is difficult, to find terms to describe some ot the hats. The majority were small, mostly of the beret, type and diminutive styled hats perched smartly at various angles. There were a few wide-brimmed "coolie” models with low crowns, and others with crowns which resembled icecream cones. Several women racegoers dispensed with hats altogether. Head coverings and corsage sprays of flowers often added the bright colour note to the wearers of tweeds or fur wraps. Velvet fashioned a number of becoming hats, a noted one being a ruched red model, with curtainlike snood which covered the hair. Blue, in all shades, was the most popular colour in frocking, with greens, wines, grey, honey gold and tilack next in popularity. The outstanding colour note in trimming and accessories was scarlet. This shade was allied with a soft blue and in some instances with green. Black with dusky pink was one smart ensemble. ’ while another was in powder blue trimmed with squirrel fur Io match the small hat. A spray of primroses and polyanthus, worn on a tweed costume, highlighted its colouring of green and golden brown, complete with a green hat to match. The wearer of a tweed suit in blue shades had on a jester-like cap in cherry red. Many smart ensembles and tailored suits were seen completed with an equally smart hat. Fur coats capes and wraps were popular. Noticeable on the lawns were a large number of men and women of the various sei vices.

Mrs. G. C. Glenn, wife of the president, was wearing a wine red wool georgette frock, under a southern musquash fur coat. Her wine felt hat was upturned oft the face. Mrs. P. A. O'Neill, wife of (he vice-president, wore a deep sapphire blue ensemble, white ruffled blousette, small blue hat swather in veiling and silver fox furs.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn entertained a large number ot guests at luncheon. The tables in the dining room were decorated with yellow bulbs, boll shrub and floating bowls ot vioiets the room also being draped in these colours.