Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 7

Paris in the Mirror

Written for "The Post" by Germalne.

PARIS, 9th December. The Paris couturiere is beginning to trim her frocks with trinkets and knickknacks. Flowers are just as popular as ever, especially flowers in new forms, that no longer copy Nature, but tend to follow the style of the frock, and harmonise artistically with the ensemble. There are countless varieties of these fanciful blooms. There are flowers painted upon linen, upon parchment, upon silk, and all kinds of dif-

ferent materials. There arc oven the most delicate paintings on cement. The most precious are those outlined in seed-pearls with wonderful faithfulness.

As regards size, the new flowers are usually big and important, harmonious rather than brilliant in colouring. On evening frocks, however, "La Rose. Diamante" rules triumphant. A certain well-known Paris couturier is showing a model of his own creation, which is ornamented with a diamond (synthicated, of course) brooch. Roses "and gardenias such as these recall to mind the decorative brooches that our "Empire" ancestors wore on their decollete bodices. In their modern form, these diamond brooches are jußt as chic and attractive, adding richness to those many-tiered tulle frocks that Fashion has designed for Uu3 seaton's dancing.

More intriguing still jiro those picturesque little veils that hang from the edge of tho hat, to just, below the level of the eyes. There is an individual

charm about them that gives distinction and personality 1o every woman. One more "frivolity" is the hand-paint-ed stocking decorated with colours that are washable. The flowers that are scattered on the instep and abovo the ankle must follow the tones and colours of other trimmings and decorations of the toilette, so that stockings more than ever form an important part of every carefully-studied ensemble. THE KNEES BRACELET. The slender chain ankle bracelet, worn beneath the stocking, has long been in fashion—so long, in fact, that it is time for it to disappear, but, curiously enough, it has taken the fashion of longer skirts to bring this fashion to the fore onccmore. A flexible bracelet is the type most liked, worn beneath the finest of silken hose—a circlet composed of interlocking flat plaques, set at intervals with coloured stones. Gloves this season, to be fashionable, must bo interestingly feminine. Shoes must be dainty and high-heeled. Hats turned up at one side, wreathed in .feathers, and worn at a perilous angle, are the thing. In a word, the whole wardrobe must change, and be feminised. THE BLACK HAT. We arc threatened with an invasion of black. Let us hope that the Paris couturieres will not encourage this bad black habit to any great extent. It will bo the end of all cheerful and beautiful things, anyway. A black tulle dress is charming in its way, and so is one in black satin and black crepe do chine. But colour we must have. Too much dullness looks funereal, although a great deal of brilliance is hopelessly ugly. Therefore, the proper balance must bo struck, and it is in this "striking" that all mistakes creep in. Black velvet is a great preventer of trouble, and a black velvet dress never looks funereal. I can, and do, find virtue, too, in the new black velvet coatees for evening wear. Black velvet is not exactly economical, but it is the nicest material possible. Black chiffon-velvet is so light that it 'does for summer and winter alike. I-have come to the conclusion that the successful wearing of black is a gift, like any other with which one is born; when properly worn black manages to convey a peculiar distinction, even where this is non-existent. The wearing of black prevents some women from committing the mistake- in colour which otherwise they would commit. If, how ever, you like colour, here arc some of the new ones: Pearl, mauve, coral, orchid, maize, parchment, dawn. PARIS MILLINERY IS FASCINATING. The fascinating hats which came into fashion earlier in the season arc still as popular as ever. But the newest and smartest is the "Mercury" hat, which can be made of either felt, velvet, or straw, for the Riviera season. In shape it is an exact copy of that curious little hat worn by Mercury himself, with ii shallow rounded crown, adorned with two little feathers in front of the rounded brim. The hats shaped like those worn by Nelson's sailors are very chic, and the majority of them have some kind of trimming in the way of flat flowers or ruched ribbon, which comes at the side and back of the head below the crown and brim of the hat. Three-cornered hats are also fashionable just now. These three different types of hats have one thing in common. They are so shallow that plenty of hair is shown at the back of the head. In other words, the newest hats do not show so much of the coiffure in front, but a great deal more at the back. Turbans have taken to themselves wings, which give a broadening effect, and a brim which is turned back

from the face, while still allowing much of the forehead to be seen—two deI tails which help to soften the necessary severity of line. FASHION HINTS. A well-dressed woman should never attract attention. Sometimes I wonder if perfect dressing is nothing but bluff, and if women aro not merely casting the shadow of their personality triumphantly before them. To look individual in standardised clothes is the privilege of distinction. Dressy pyjamas may be lovely for homo use in the evening, but are thoroughly unsuited on a sunny beach. The most popular shade of the season takes its hue from the first butterfly of the year, seen by the most beautiful girl.