FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 23

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 18th October

With the opening of the Motor Show last evening the "little season" is definitely in full swing. London is crowded, and theatres are enjoying a long-deserved boom, for every year the car and all things appertaining to it hold an increasing interest for the. general public. People from the provinces flock to London to see the cream of tho motor-car world, and added to these are the Continental and overseas buyers and visitors—all helping to make this the most cosmopolitan week of the year. The "dress-to-match-your-car" is still considered the last word in motoring chic, but as that is a fashion only to ; be indulged in by the minority it is still possible to have a topcoat that blends with the upholstery and general colour scheme. This is where the modern leather coat is so useful. Soft and supple, it is worked so beautifully and comes in such a variety of delicate colours, and with a fur collar and cuffs is cosy enough for all weathers. "Worn over a smart afternoon gown or a tailored suit, it can be easily discarded for a luncheon or formal call, and is particularly useful for the woman who drives her own oar. Judging by the number of women at the show, the feminine interest in car fashions is becoming all-absorbing.

I was interested to see that Princess Mary arrived very early this morning, and particularly asked to be shown all the new "gadgets." How we all love gadgets, whether for the motor-car or tho kitchen! One has only to see how. a crowd collects round a demonstrator in any of the stores where "something new" is being introduced to the public, and how easily the average woman succumbs to the impulse to "try it out." What with seats that make reclining beds, and secret cabinets to hold a cocktail bar, there seems to be no limit to what will soon be considered a motoring accessory. The "little season" heralds the return of the afternoon gown, replacing the sports attire which has so often been worn right through the day to the tea hour. This does not necessarily mean the dress, niust be an.overelaborate toilette, but an appearance of formality is easily attained in a dress of long, gracious lines, which was impossible to achieve in a slip of a frock that barely covered the knees. It is a matter of choice whether the material is simple or luxurious, depending very much on the place and occasion of wearing it. A crepe gown cut on svelte princess lines, with a touch of delicate lace or a beautiful buckle, is a safe choice for almost any occasion. For an afternoon filled with, bridge and tea or cocktails, in fairly elaborate surroundings, velvets, satins, and failles, georgette cuepes, and that lovely material —velvet embossed chiffon —are all used with g'Dod effect. At a recent dress show I saw a lovely little frock that "was simplicity itself, and yet so attractive that nearly every one commented upon it. In black crepe satin, with a slightly bloused bodice into a narrow belt at tie natural waistline, slimly fitted hips that broke into flares falling well below the knees, long, slim sleeves, and 3 bounded collar and cuffs that consist-

Ed of petal points of silk piqpe, with | two silk pique gardinias fastimed on I the corsage. Tho society woman who sponsored these clothes said she had alresidy copied this little model several times in various materials with much success, sd I will send you a sketch odf it. Coats are all-important itenis of the modern wardrobe—whether fon- summer or winter. The affluent may have an endless variety, others must perforce confine themselves to two or tihree; but the question of outline, fabric, and finish should receive equal aonsideration in either case. , The three-quarter coat is ' tremendously popular this autumn, and for the afternoon I have seen some ' very luxurious specimens. The tro'uW.e is that a. coat of this length usually calls for a dress to match and no other, which makes it an extravagant fad for a limited pocket book. A favourite afternoon ensemble is one niade of black velvet of superfine sibeline cloth, with a three-quarter coat trimmed with ermine, exquisite but extravagant. If you have a lovely skin, choose black broadtail for the collar; but this fur demands 'mpeccable grooming jjid careful choice of hats and accessories. Should there be any doubt about one's capacity for keeping them up to the mark, it is wiser to choose a kinder fur. Brown and beige fur are always good with black, and this season they are smiled on by Fashion as well. Bottle green, Lincoln green, and rifle green—all different names for very similar shades—are tremendously popular. Wherever one goes there are hats, focks, and coats in these very flattering colours. They are particularly becoming with brown furs, and excessively smart with black. Stockings are decidedly darker. If you are very sunburned you may still match your skin for your gloves and stockings. Otherwise the deeper shades of brown, especially those of the nigger family, are correct. Guiimetal sha'diugs are still preferred to black where brown is unsuitable, but whatever colour you choose see that they match the shoe, costume, and hat. Legs must now be part of the j whole dress scheme, and not shriek for attention in ultra-attractive stockings. ETJTH SIBLET.