The Well-Dressed Woman Must Rely On Her Ingenuity

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 74, 6 April 1949, Page 3

The Well-Dressed Woman Must Rely On Her Ingenuity

To be well dressed nowadays a woman has to rely more than ever on her ingenuity rather than on her purse, says a dressing expert. Advice on how to remodel pre-New Look clothes was at first apt to be given on the Mrs Beeton lines of “Take a strip of flat fur—preferably mink . .

But sadly we learn, after trying in vain to lengthen an almost nonexistent hem, that such attempts are seldom satisfactory, and, as a result, most women these days have bought at least one New Look dress. They are now, more than ever, seeking new ways of making the “little black dress” suitable for many different occasions. There are wonderful opportunities for the imaginative with a flair for twisting a scarf, adding a, jacket, placing a brooch, or choosing a hat. Shoulder Cape

Revival of the shoulder cape has immense possibilities. One leading fashion house recently showed how a detachable capelet could be worn alternatively as a flared waist peplum. This is an idea which could easily be copied. If it is possible to buy extra material when having a dress made, renovation is made easier. It can be draped over a straight skirt into a hip swathe, finishing at the back in a small bustle or, even newer, a full tunic skirt can be made.

Worn 18 inches shorter than the skirt of the dress, it could hang and fasten from the waist.

Stiff white lace pockets, fluted to emphasise the hip line of the black dress, are' also an easy and prac-

tical alteration. A tangerine silk cuff bordering- a low square neckline is • also attractive—a sudden sharp splash of colour on black is fresh and gay. Fur trimmings are smart this season. Although few women have the odd “strip of mink” lying around, narrow fur, such as moleskin, sable, or beaver coney can be bought fairly cheaply. Bordering the pocket of a plain dress, edging a peplum or trimming the edge of a three-quarter-length sleeve, fur adds a touch of luxury to the most ordinary dress. There are ideas, too, which do not even need, sewing. Tuck three or four gaily-coloured handkerchiefs from the pocket of a black dress. Fasten a lace-edged handkerchief to the lapel of a shirt-waisted dress with a pair of pearl hatpins. Study Alterations .

But you get the elegance—the “well-dressed” look—in the way the adaptation is carried out—and the confidence with which your clothes are worn. Obviously, alterations must be studied to suit each tyoe and shape, and also the occasion. A hug-me-tight, or a brief bolero, on an ample figure is pure fancy dress. One of the new box jackets would be kinder; their protective lines are not their only asset. Again, if your midriff is persistently bulgy, do not renovate your dress with a wide belt obviously made to emphasise a small waistline. The emphasis will certainly be' there—but so will the bulge. Tall women can get away with most things. For them the swathed hip or waistline, or the flared peplum, is perfect. They should avoid, at all costs, beltless styles which give them a rod-like appearance. Your plain dress develops a party mood with a pretty belt. At a recent English collection a classic black wool dress was belted with a wide taffeta band gathered into a large silver buckle; a six-inch fringe hung from the ends of the belt. Swathed tulle or ring velvet can also be used as effectively. Long gloves, in a vivid colour, are dramatic and smart. But other accessories should remain black, unless, of course, you are fortunate in possessing nylons to match. Silk Scarves Again Silk scarves have come into their own again. But they are worn in new ways—twisted around a pearl choker—one corner tucked into the side of a leather belt, or wound tightly round your throat, the corner knotted in front. Costume jewellery is still important. Strings of beads wound into a

choker, or fob or seals formerly worn on a bracelet, are amusing used instead of buttons.

At one fashion show a pair of clips or brooches was worn on each shoulder, which is original and most attractive.