Victorian And Edwardian Styles Have Influenced New Season’s Fashions

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 26, 2 March 1948, Page 3

Victorian And Edwardian Styles Have Influenced New Season’s Fashions

There are two definite influences running through the fashion collections this season —Victorian and Edwardian. The first is fully flared, the second straight in front with a hint of. fullness or ornament at the back, reminiscent of the bustle. Between these two basic lines comes the modern “barrel” silhouette. Handled in various ways, this . often recalls styles of 1910 to 1920 in bulging, sack-like coats and jackets. The latest lines are really curves —curves as voluptuous as the velvety surfaced woollens in which they are designed. Shoulders are no longer squared, but remain broad, curving down from neck to arm in swooping lines. Bosoms are emphasised. Waists are tightly nipped, in the “wasp” style of the Gay Nineties. Or else firmly moulded in long corselet effects. Hips billow in emphasised curves on either side of coats, jackets and dresses. Some padding is used for this shape, both in day and evening models. More curves lend novelty to “barrel"' or “lantern” type skirts which bend in at the hems. Lucien Lelong allies calf-length skirts to abbreviated jackets which have mere basques over the hips, to emphasise a long leg-line. Elsewhere flaring skirts are topped by little Victorian type fitted jackets.