TOGS FOR ESCAPISTS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 2

TOGS FOR ESCAPISTS

Escape from the mundane things of life into a swim suit or two. Or perhaps into three or four.

Choose a bikini, two-piece, onepiece. surfer suit or a twenties-style costume, for these days bathing attire is no longer thought of in purely practical terms.

No self-respecting lass of the mid-sixties would be content with one serviceable, seaworthy, comfortable model. Although materials are more durable and longer lasting than ever, there seems to be no such thing as wearing a costume out. After all, how could any girl choose just one from the range which will be available next year? Ripples of applause greeted daring and dainty swim suits shown by Cole of California in Christchurch recently. Fit for outer space and perfect for packing into a spare space in a crowded capsule, a gold lame suit with cut-out mesh-filled sides was definitely a morale booster. Mesh provides for 1966 swim suit wearers as the neck to knee did in an earlier age. What it stretches to and from, north to south is getting briefer and briefer. But although one could be deceived at a distance, make no mistake, whether in brown or black net, the wearer is covered. Single Sleeve She may even be wearing long sleeves, or perhaps just one sleeve. And the extent of the popularity of the off-the-shoulder line is not limited to evening gowns. Approximatey 20 women, many leaders in fashion, wore this style to a very “in” party

in America last year, and manufacturers have lost no time in bringing the cold- i shoulder boom to the beach. Shown in lime, black, cycla-: men, with a sleeve or without, they were very chic. Sleeves short appeared again in a black, demure twenties model high-lighted with double bands of white. But in spite of plunging necklines, laced or zipped to the waist, the long jane surf-j er pants really stole the show. Cut from the hips and clinging on clear to the knee or just mid-thigh, the show stopper was a harlequin pattern strip in purple, Mack and royal blue. For once, not surprisingly, the matching bra top in royal blue, took second place. Baby Girl Frills While some girls may look as though they have borrowed from the boyfriend or brother, there will be no mistaking where others get their inspiration. * Tip up almost any baby girt and you will be greeted with a mass of frills. Now they are just fine for older girls in pastel pink, attached to a brief bikini, joined, of course, with net. But if she is feeling a little dangerous, and swim suits are made for every mood, the aptly named animal crackers model would satisfy any desire. A leopardliike design crackled in black, brown and lemon following a low-cut plunging neckline, seemingly securely laced. Backless Bikini Looking less secure, but equally appealing was a bright floral bikini. Completely backless, it had straps which formed loops over the shoulder, and the tiny bottom was knotted together at the sides. Americans have made his and hers a way of life, and report that jams—m®le j kneelength pants—and jellies—same for girls—are selling very well this season. Worn with matching sun tops, the pants were formfitting and ended in a saucy ruffle. Cover-ups, teamed with matching bikinis are now also part of the beach scene, and come in patterns—combinations of checks and 1 stripes—and plains. Back again to baiby days, a pale pink hooded romper suit in towelling unzipped to reveal a bikini which would never find a home in a nursery. Bell Bottoms Bell bottoms are the coming line in slacks. More graceful on the average figure this style was shown in stark white, and in a striking lime with matching Moused top. Trouser length is about one and a half inches above the ankle, and can be worn with flat or high heeled shoes. In sharp contrast was the Laramie set designed in the cigarette line. Pencil slim pants worn over a cowboy style jacket with stitched collar and pockets both in pink. “Groovey grannies” almost ankle length shifts — have been very popular with teen-agers in California. Last evening a softly frilled empire-line model in pink gingham was shown. Pretty and appealing, these long dresses could start another "look.”