What Paris Says of—

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 30

What Paris Says of—

Variety of Chic Summer Modes from’'Vogue

(/he Smartest at Heath’s, Christchurch )

KNOCK-ABOUT CLOTHES Cports and travelling clothes have been given careful attention by all couturiers, says a Paris correspondent. The importance of the out-of-door wardrobe is typical of the active tendencies professed by the present feminine generation. Sports coats are sometimes allowed a comfortable fullness, which starts at the shoulder-line, while the pleated fashion is classic for kasha skirts. New ideas are sewn into a sports costume designed by a leading couturier. The coat of brown and tan-coloured tweed is finished off with an inserted gilet of striped material. The three-piece costume is the accepted golfing mode. Hand-knit-ted jumpers in tan or greyish shades of soft wool, or finely-woven jersey pull-overs in bright colours, are worn with checked or striped buranic skirts. A vivid note is often obtained by the attention of a wollen scarf or silken handkerchief. Sleeveless pull-over jumpers' have also been decreed an indispensable item of the golfing attire. These knitted vestees, cross striped or plaid patterned in contrasting shades, make bright patches all over the links. Golfers have adopted them on account of their numerous practical points: they keep the body comfortably warm, while allowing the necessary stretch and swing.

Tailored jackets finished off with a long cape in thick soft wool sometimes complete this smart ensemble which is equally appropriate for motor trips. THE COCKTAIL DRESS of the chief inventions this year is the cocktail dress consisting of of a little jerkin with a decided bounce at the hips, worn over a narrow underskirt. The silhouette is that of the little Princess in the Tower, if they wore a short skirt instead of trunk hose. This is made in a rich, rarer stiff satin and a favourite effect is Chinese in character, in that it shows such colour contrasts as dark blue embroidery on a light blue ground. High collars have come in again, some of them exceedingly military in character, others compromising by being high only at the back. Long sleeves, if not universal, are in the majority. The long close-fitting sleeve is very popular and is seen both in velvet and chiffon. The bell sleeve is rather newer and is also made in every kind of material. Another favourite sleeve is full, sometimes being set into a close-fitting vest sleeve, and is gathered into a small cuff at the wrist. ARTIFICIAL POSIES flowers are coming back into fashion again. In fact, if you want to feel that you are perfectly turned

out, you will add a flower to your costume at every time of the day. To the coat or tailor-made, add a camelia or gardenia in felt or kid; to the afternoon ensemble, add a carnation or early Victorian posy made of feathers; to the evening gown, add something more decorative, a peony, a rose or an orchid made of organdie or isinglass. Only then will you be quite beyond reproach. HANDKERCHIEF NOVELTIES gomething new in the way of handkerchiefs are brilliant coloured affairs. They are made of crepe-de-chine, are stitched round the edges in black, and into one corner, by way or ornament, is embroidered a Mah Jongg character. There Is a decided vogue for coloured handkerchiefs just now, and the daintiest models in fine lawn or crepe-de-chine are to be seen in delicate powder blue, bois-de-rose, amethyst, and lettuce green shades, mixed with white or beige. The batik handkerchief has died a sudden and complete death. In fact, batik in all its forms seems to have been relegated to the things of the past. SHORTER SKIRTS rl he higher the crown the shorter the skirt sounds the slogan of

present feminine trend. Vagrant and yet unsettled as fashions may appear, ahead of their consecration by the eclectic few, one thing remains unaltered : the shortness of skirts. Coutouriers absolutely refuse to lengthen them, in spite of stern moralists. Parisian sheerstockinged legs will continue to be displayed at knee-length, much to the dismay of puritans who see in the modish uplift of the hem-line the downward tendency of modern morals. But the comfort and practicability of the short skirt cannot be disputed. Now that we can walk with a free swinging step, we can look back with amazement and horror on the days of the hobble skirt, when climbing the stairs of a bus was a dangerous feat. USEFUL GARTERS garters are supplied with a rosette which conceals a mirror and powder-puff. Some of the newest pairs have a pocket with a shingle comb attached and its fellow a wee purse for money or latchkey. YOUTHFUL MODES Even nursery rompers grow daily more elaborate. One model in nat-

ural tussore silk was gaily decorated with a Punch and Judy show right in the centre. Scarves are as popular for children as their elders, but the newest idea for seaside wear is to attach them to a hood. BRIGHTER WALLS There are indications that the parchment and ivory distempers, the flat neutral tints in paint and panelling are to forsake our walls and the brightest of papers to return. One recently shown in Paris had a bright yellow background covered all over with field flowers in their natural vivid colourings massed loosely together. PAISLEY AGAIN Paisley fabrics are reappearing; not in their entirety but used as trim-, mings. Bands of Paisley crepe de chine adorn a dead white crepe frock, and Paisley in the lighter mixtures is being used on dark blue as scarf collar, swathed belt, and handkerchief. CHIC LIPS Really up-to-date people are making up the lower lip much more heavily than the upper. This uneven use of the lipstick is apt to produce an effect of perential sulks, but it is quite the last word in cosmetics in Paris. ADVANCE MODES Certainly the waist will be far

more clearly defined and will approximate to the normal. The silhouette will be less narrow and more flowing, cut will become even more intricate, and sleeves promise many curious caprices. 9 Ladders in Stockings all know how annoying it is to find a ladder in one’s stocking. If you carry your vanity bag, however, the difficulty is soon overcome. Apply a little vanishing cream, and within a few minutes it will be quite stiff and dry, and the stitches held in place until the ladder can be repaired.