London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written far "Th» Post."

' LONDON, September 1. Itocently I met a charming woman whom'l- thought was about fifty, with i soft brown hair, neat, alert figure, and beautiful clear skin. Imagine my surprise when on becom-ing-better acquainted with her she admitted to being seventy-two. Her hair, she'declared; had never been "touched up," but she had always determined to keep her skin, body, mind, and heart young. THE ART OF KEEPING YOUNG. ■It would really be good for most women, if they lost their birth certificate after passing their thirtieth birthday, and relied on their mirror to tell them their age. Too many women imagine the forties are difficult years, whereas fewer of their troubles are of organic origin than those- of mental disturbance caused by fear. From thirty onwards a woman's first #are should be to keep her figure- young. Extreme thinness is as ageing as extra weight, but either can be saved from an elderly appearance if elasticity of movement is retained. Keep the muscles young and supple by exercise, either physical jerks or games, dancing, and, of course, walking. Notice tho way you stand and walk. Js your posture old and your walk solid and heavy. Stand before a long mirror in your bathroom and see if you "'biilge'' back and front—an easy but very ugly and middle-aged way of. balancing. Then pull yourself up aud note the difference. When walking try to walk briskly and lightly with a rhythmic 'balance, quite an easy way if once you have given your mind to it and*taken care of your feet. Watch your shoes. If too short or Tim down at the- heels you will look and feel twice your age. DON'T GIVE IN AT FORTY. When a woman of forty looks into her mirror and dislikes her reflection she is either fretting over her lost youth or her taste in dress has let her down. If slenderness is no longer possible her best friend is her tape measure. Before setting out to purchase any new clothes she must decide that if her hips are 44 it is Useless to try on a gown that is only 42, and this applies oven more particularly to the bust. ■ These two inches will make all the difference between being well and bad-ly-dressed. Never be coaxed or bullied or flattered into buying one that is toO; tight, for with an inch or two to spare and a graceful length it is possible for.a woman who is quite big to look slender. But she positively must'not bulge: ■■■:■' ' QUIET DISTINCTION. ' Thanlis to't'he brilliant brains which are behind modern dress designing, dressing-for: the older woman is not. half such a difficult problem as it used to be. •. Every- age has its charm in dress and manner, and quiet distinction is the ideal to strive for when, one is on the shady side of forty, or even fifty. . ' 'But although soft black dresses arc generally flattering it is a mistake to imagine the older and stouter woman cannot wear colours. If a woman treats colour, intelligently sho can wear colour until she is eighty and not look wrong. Bright colours no, but rich colours and soft colours, yes. The coat in _ all its forms is a boon and a blessing to middle-aged figures. With-a straight-lined coat, well fitting on the shoulders, •an illusion of slenderness is 1 given.- Better without a belt or, at best, only half a belt, for unless nature has been unusually kind it is unwise to outline the figure. For the- house- at all hours of the day, I believe in a coat for tho older woman—and a short-sleeved dress or

blouse with a long-sleeved coat of any length, with a straight lino down the front is invaluable. The blouse is often a real problem because of the natural thickening of the waist and back. So a blouse that has a waistcoat wrap-over with pointed fronts and an open neck is helpful. FLATTERING OUTLINE. Fur collars and scarves that frame j the face are as important as hats that flatter. The outline of the older woman's hat must be becoming rather than fashionable, and a soft brim that frames the face with a moderate crown and very little trimming is usually best. When there is no brim a short veil

tied loosely so as to add shadows to the eyes will be most helpful. Plain, loose-fitting gloves with sufficient length to ruckle over the wrists, da-rk if the hand is large, but light and dainty if small and beautiful. Much the same rule applies to shoes, simple, welT made, and inconspicuous in colour and, above all, comfortable to ensure good carriage. / Whilo every attention should be given to the case of complexion, hair, and manicure, the older woman who is wise will not over-do her make-up. She only invites comparison with youth if she does, but deceives no one. Hair, in particular, should be well •brushed, and exquisitely groomed and dressed, but left its natural colour. There is nothing so ageing as tinted hair with an older face. A deep cream powder that has a pinky tinge, and a suspicion of rouge that has a tinge of yellow, ,and lips kept moist and healthy but only a suggestion of lipstick ever, and tho result is charming. KUTH SIBLEY.