SMART OR SENSIBLE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 27, 27 October 1942, Page 2

SMART OR SENSIBLE

Two Styles Of Dressing At Trentham Races Even the most; optimistic of people could scarcely have hoped that tho weather would clear yesterday when the Wellington Racing Club held the second day of its spring meeting at Trentham. Rain fell heavily up till midday, increasing the already dismal prospects. Afterward the clouds rolled away and a hot sun shone down on the very large crowd, which thronged every vantage poiqt. The’ holiday Spirit was abroad and the race-goers were determined to make the most of it. Unlike Saturday, when women were almost universally dressed in plain attire tb Withstand the onclaught of wind aiid ruin, some very smart clothes were worn yesterday. They were decidedly in this minority,' but stood out in comparison with the large numbers of costumes, coats and other rain-resisting apparel that the less daring feminine -patrons worb. One woman, commenting on the appearance of an attractively-dressed girl, said it remained a mystery to her how some peoplb knew it was going to be fine enough to wear such elotheS, her companion consoling her with the thought that perhaps they didn’t know at all, but were willing to take a sporting chance. Some of the hats seen made this latter observation seem true, for n shower of rain would undoubtedly have proved disastrous to their fragile construction, the fluted white straw brim ot one wearer’s hut was finished with a high crown so tiny at its base that it would, no mote than cover a doll's head. Veiling over a “powder-puff” fur crown completed another miniature black hat with a brim curled liked the edge of a sea-shell. Inside the brim of a mauve confection nestled a cluster of pink roses, and realistic roses in a lovely pink shade ran riot over the crown o£ one of the new almost brimless black hats worn tilted over one s forehead. Lily-of-the-valley made a jaunty finish to the sweeping upturned brim 'of yet another attractive black hat. Turbans, in richly-blended shades, struck rather an exotic note. Vivid red, green and brown were used to form one and electric blue with rust made another that had a mink tail tucked among its folds. Viewed from the stands, blue m sill shades seemed to be tbe predominating colour, witli the khaki of service dress a elose second. Mrs. Eric Riddiford, wife of t.lie president, was one of the many wearing blue, her frock and hip coat bein"- in a soft powder shade, worn with a close-fitting rust toque. The Trentham military band supplied a programme ot numbers, including marches, waltzs and foxtrots.