FASHION NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES.

Tub-Frocks for Seaside.

WASHING DRESSES.

THE SUMMER VOGUE.

(By A PARISIAN EXPERT.)

He would indeed be an ignoramus who would deny the vast influence of clothes upon mankind. This influence is so generally recognised that it is not necessary to say anything more in order to prove the enormous importance to France of the Grand Prix. It seems ptrange, therefore, that those who arrange this—this the great annual clothes parade of France—should arrange to hold it at the same time and in the

same, place as a popular race meeting. Perhaps races, in some subtle way, have a good effect upon clothes experts. I cannot understand it, except, of course, that the pesage is a good field in which women can disport themselves a volonte. ft is extraordinary also that anything connected with racing seems to make people prophesy with a confidence only surpassed by their inaccuracy. One paper declared that it was to be a "yellow" Grand Prix. Another said the fuchsia tints were to prevail, and after- • '

wards claimed that it was so. The couturieres themselves remained silent on this poiDt like the Sphinxes they are! And all the evidence goes to show that it was as multicoloured as posters outside a cinema show.

The post-war habit of the week-end has developed so rapidly that immedi-| ately a fine da;- comes motor cars of all) sizes thread their way through the traffic bearing Parisians out into the country. And once free of the crowded city, past the octrois and the new buildings springing up on the sights of the fortifications, the open road receives them, and away they speed to one of the innumerable beauty spots within a comfortable jouney of Paris. Many women have chosen their clothe? to match the cars they are driving. For " instance, one girl's long travelling coat and neat little chapeau is the exact shade of the blue car she is steering so skilfully, and which is lined in a delicate blue in Alpina reptile skin. Her companion, however, has chosen one of the latest sleeveless cardigans to wear over her sweater of angora wool, ornamented with small spots. At the fashionable restaurants on the road one sees variations of the same costume t neat, slim and youthful. No wonder sports clothes are so popular. For such occasions, at all events, any others would- be impossible. when the holiday contemplated is no mere "weekend," but a whol. week, these little suits are indispensable. The only trouble seems to be that of packing all the other things which madame invariably desires to bring.

The tub-frocks. which have been created for Le Touquet, Deauville, and La Baule this season are extremely sophisticated additions of the little checked gingham dresses of youtjiul days. Indeed, checks are running riot this year, and they are as popular on chiffon frocks as on silk, and as fashionable on silk as pn voile. These dresses for the beach, however, will be of the newest silk, which washes as well as cotton. To go with these frocks the

dressmakers are creating simple little hats of closely-woven straw, sometimes in natural shades, but often in colours which exactly match the frock. Bathing Suits. ' With July upon us, the general public begins to stock up on bathing paraphernalia. We may look out and keep our eyes open for new ideas. Paris couturieres have made this garment exceedingly attractive, and yet have managed to eliminate anything which would in any way hamper movement in the water. The number of women who are good swimmers is increasing with each season, and with the increase comes also the demand for good-looking swimming outfits. Brightly-coloured ruits are being shown in a variety of clever styles. Green, orange, royal blue, and scarlet suits are seen at every hand, usually with a binding of contrasting colour, and sometimes two of these vivid colours appear on the same suit. A number of smart garments are made with undertrunks of one colour, and a little slip-on dress of another, with long slits around the waist, through which the girdle is threaded, to allow the under colour to show through. Some of the suits are perfectly plain, with the exception of a straight piece of contrasting colour which is set into the front in vest effect with a monogram in the centre front and the binding at arm-hole and neck of the same colour as the duess. These are very attractive when the suits are of black and the bindings of sorre brilliant colour such as orange or scarlet.

Our Sketch. | Carried out in pastel-blue crepe de chine and embroidered mousseline in the same colour, with a wide draped sash, a butterfly bow, and floating side panels, this dress embodies the simplicity of the summer mode.