Masculine Waistcoats And Straw Boaters New Vogue For Englishwomen

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 78, 6 August 1948, Page 3

Masculine Waistcoats And Straw Boaters New Vogue For Englishwomen

Having tried and rejected the Eton crop and abandoned slacks except for utilitarian purposes, women are now going in for masculine waistcoats. In many of the models shown at a recent. English dress show, the blouse or jumper usually worn wjth a costume was replaced by a matching or contrasting waistcoat which robbed the new look of its extreme feminity. But a short frilly coat and padded hips in a heavy tweed would not flatter the figure and .the designers in tweed therefore have generally provided only a slightly nipped-in-waist. In fact there is little to choose between many of the costumes shown today and those worn in 1938. Autumn dresses are almost too neat with high necks and buttoned or zipped backs. Warm plaid coats with high collars and in varied colours will probably be popular. Otherwise the autumn colours will be rather sombre; grey, black and dark turquoise seem to be the favourites. Whatever fashion designers may say and headlines emphasise, the true verdict on new ideas in London is stamped by the typical appearance of women in Piccadilly, Bond Street, and at the larger social functions. In spite of their alleged rebellion, London women of fashion have changed their silhouette with that elegant modification to suit the English women’s dictum on good taste. The tight-fitting bodice, the willow waist and the full skirt are featured in dark blue or black wool coats worn over dresses and suits ranging from tartan to bright cerise or royal blue, while little suits worn without coats have tight-fit-ting basque jackets slightly gathered at the back and pleated or full skirts some llin. from the ground. There has been a complete revolution* in hats. Straight-brimmed straw boaters trimmed with spring flowers worn level with the head and tied with a single width of contrasting veiling over the hat and under the chin are equally in fashion with crownless hats bespattered with flowers, double . brimmed straws with ribbons or flowers between the brims and worn on the back of the head, or wide flat straws tied under the chin. Bags in the news are box-like affairs in suede or leather with gold clasps and suede or leather handles over the top. The outstanding item in lingerie is the petticoat. ' Seen in a recent mannequin parade in Berkley Street were two beautiful petticoats in taffetas with a frilled hem-line, one in a royal blue design on a white selfpatterned background and the other in a* scarlet design but some of the cotton ones are just as effective even if they do not provide the glamorous touch.