BRITISH FASHION TRENDS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 August 1946, Page 2

BRITISH FASHION TRENDS

"THE AGE OF ROMANCE" The world and li is wife aro sceing British fusliion's, and liis wife quit.e ol'ten is weuring them. Itritish women occasionally get a gliinpHe of them, in tlie l'onn of illustrations relatiug to exports. l'eceutly, Mr. Michael, of Lachasse, outlined fashion trends from the*ankles to the lieck. lle said lliere is a dec'uled reaetiou from the military stpiared look and the pa,dded shoulders we have all, ino n and women, been inured to for the past six years. The tendency now is toward something more tlian streamlinod sniartness; towards grace, or whai Mr. Micli ael called "the Age of K'omauce." Even if British women were not habituaily opposed to exaggerated fashions, the amount of material periii it l ed these days — only three yards for any frock, 'or three yards doublewidlh l'or a woollen suit or coat — would prohibit their following tlie new French designs for vasl skirts or luige bustles. Iudeed, J'aris is folloiving many of Britain 's austerity regulat ions because of France's own diHiciill ies. Tliere will be no return to X'ictorian tiglit-lacing for Euglishwomen, Mr. Michael fclt sure. Narrow nipped-in waists, yes; tlared liasipies, back "in terest, " but all in n rest rained wa v — aothiug uuuatural, no skirt bustles. Of suifs — and a suit is the basis oi" almosl every Britisli woman 's wardrobe — Mr Michael tliinks a good 50 per ceut. of tliose made tliis year will lie of tlie soft-tailored typc. Tho jackets will be Iongish and fastening high, and witli tlared basques; and the skirts either straight or swinging. Though he agreed that tlie Magyar sloevo has dLstinction, its demainl for a special overcoat would rule it out iu these *««pon-timcs. Besidcs, London is i'anious for her tailoriag, and the set oi' the shoulders with sel-in sleeves is a fealure women all ovor the world ioyk for in British clotlies. Dresses will have uipped-iti waists. will i'all smooth over the hips und then ilare to the bem — si'xteen iaehes from tlie groutul.