WEARING OF A SHAWL.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17242, 29 October 1927, Page 15 (Supplement)

WEARING OF A SHAWL.

AN AGE-OLD ART. Wearing a shawl is an art cultivated for generations by the women of Spain, Venice, and Lancashire. The cult is decaving in Lancashire, where the mill girl of to-day is very much up to date, and modern fashions are gradually icplacing the shawl in Spain. Hut in Venice the graceful shawl with the long fringe is still a popular wear among all classes. Recently several working women took part 'in a shawl-wearing competition in which prizes were given-not for youth and beauty but for natural grace and elegance in the wearing of the long black Venetian shawl. The competitors came from Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Groce, Giudecca, St. Marco, Pellestrina, Cannaregio, and the Lido, and their ages ranged from sixty to sixteen.

A few of the women were handsome, typical dark-eyed, black-haired, oliveskinned daughters of Italy, but the majority had no pretensions to beauty or grace. They all. however, knew how In wear (heir shawls, which, properly draped, give a certain dignity and elegance to the most awkward figure. Flout women, who in a jumper and shori skirt looked their age and weight, attained a sweetly attractive matronly appearance when wearing the familiar shawl. Subtle Differences in Pose. To the unversed it seemed as if every women adopted Hie same style—the arm akimbo, Hie hand resting on the hip, and Ihe other swinging freely —hut the very serious judges detected many differences in pose and draping. A subtle fold across the bust:, a freer sweep of the long fringe, a harmonious line from shoulder to knees —- these were among the points' carefully noted.

Many of the women were had walkers, their carriage awkward, and their gait ungainly, but the half-dozen prize-winners walked across the platform with beads erect, shoulders well hack, and the fringe, of the shawl set in Charming-Mines to Hie easy movement of a. supple form.

Little to Learn About Dress. Tin* Venetian woman may be classified as a professional in the. art of shawl-wearing. In the art of wearing clothes, whether it lie a Venetian shawl or Parisian pyjamas, these smart women and girts holidaying at the Lido have nothing to learn.