London Fashion Notes Specially Writtes for "The Post."

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 19

London Fashion Notes Specially Writtes for "The Post."

The newest fashions in London at tho moment are those designed for the fortunate few who are going South. . But although the sea and sky may be as vividly bluo as they appear on tho highly-coloured picture postcards, those who know tho Biviera at all realise that this brilliance and gaiety is often vory deceptive- as far as temperature: is concerned. ( ■ ; Fashions designed for < the sunny south no longer consist of only gossamer garments of silks and chiffons,, for a sun which is powerful enough'to produce an enviable tan is often accompanied by a breeze which is cold enough to niako one shiver; However, no.one. Wants to dress_ dismally- ill gay surroundings,, . especially English women,'-.with - so' littlo sunshine at homo an,d ; so many days when sombre garments seem most suitable. These turn with relief to the cheerful colours, with white and delicato pastel tints that look so well against a background of blue sea and rosy hills,' but the wise woman sees that the dress or the coat that covers it has a certain

amount of warmth. The new knitted wool lace is a fabric which should be very popular, and suits of this fascinating fabric seem to be included in" all tho famous dressmakers ' collections for tlio South. Ono lovely modelin soft brown knit wool lace had a: short cqafc~ slightly fitted to the.waist.and lined with georgette to match. The skirt moulded the hips' by "means of shaped' pieces, 'and then flared well below tho knees. A dainty little'blouse of pleated ro&c georgette' was tucked into the waist belt, and a little square of this rose colour appeared on the collar and pockets'of the coat.

An unusually attractive ensemble was of white wool lace, 'with a wrap coat of white cloth and a high roll'collar of grey This was worn with ono of the small white caps and/grey stockings, shoes, and gloves. This co^t was, belted-at, tho natural waistline as nine out of ten of the newest coats are, and when there is no ; belt the shaping at tho waist and buttons placed high give the same effect. '. Apart from tho knitted things in ■ plain or fancy stitch, andl the- plain , and fancy jerseys there are many other light yet warm materials designed for cool but sunny climates.: There ,is tho whole family of wool erepes>: and their near relations, tho, wool georgettes. These come in lovely colourings, and can give the effect of an airy summer froclc and yet radiate a comforting warmth. There aro tho very _ light tweeds in pale colours which are ideally suited for spring sunshine, and the finest of Angora for jerseys, and the pull-ovor jerseys with a -very deep V which are largely taking the place .of cardigans. ' i Tiiek-in 'and over-blouses are both made of finely knitted silk as well as finely knitted wool, and some are made quite on the lines of a -man's shirt, but these are for sports. Tuck-in or over-blouses of the knitted wool lace are also wornwith coats and skirts of plain close-knitting or fine'tweed, and the pullover jerseys, with the deep ■ front_ previously mentioned arc worn over silk Shirts or tennis dresses. ' : For the south they are already showing many more hats with brims, and. some of them are quite largo. This is good news for those who are developing a perpetual frown, caused by strong light, and for those who are already weary of the bare forehead ! effect. But for people who cling to the beret type of head covering there aro an immense variety of caps, and both ' the bi-corne and tri-corne hats form excellent go-betweens for all ages. With most of these *smart light ■ woollen suits I noticed; a preference for the Oxford type of shoe. Lower cut than our country Oxford, and yet giving ample, support over tho instep, which should recommend it to many women who , walk so badly., in.:court shoes.' For some reason," the7ba"r shoe is not considered smart for. street wear just now, and this especially cut Oxford seems to have been designed for those who cannot, and those who should-not, wear court.shoes for walking. , _ There is a good deal of-'claboration in i some of the lfbw shoes o£ mixed leathers. This is all very well if • one has a sizo 2 foot, but on. the generous modern foot accustomed to golf courses elaboration should bo avoided, for it certainly tends to add-to the size. Stockings continue on the dark side, but all efforts to popularise the black stocking have failed. On the super-super-elegant woman they may look 'smart, but the rest of us feel like tea-shop waitresses directly we put on a black silk stocking. Even with all-black ensembles a' dark mushroom brown orgunmetal is more popular."' ''' , .' •': - - "■■' '•■ ■' ' ';■ ■ ' I received some advice on stocking lore from an expert recently,'who astonished me by remarking that; stockings worn too tight cause more corns than tight'shoes, and, of course, halve the length of the life of tho stocking. Wash all new stockings before wearing them. This strengthens; the silk and lessens the chance of laddering. i ' :■■ If: you have difficulty in: telling, the difference between pure silk and synthetic silk, look for tho ahino which is always to be found on tho cheaper variety. ■ i J?uro silk stockings have.-a rougher finish and willcling to tho leg. without bagging, and more often than not they nave cotton tops. Incidentally, he remarked, that English-made puro silk stockings are the best value on the market. . , .'.-.- ;' ' 7 . "- —Euth Sibley.