Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 9

Paris in the Mirror

Wrlttin for "The Post" by Germaina.

PARIS, January 31. | The kind of life we lead today has changed the character of dress. We live in, and out, of town at the same time. Distance is conquered, and dresses have to be ready to fit into urban/suburbs, and purely rural atmospheres all in one day. By this time every woman has settled the problem of what she intends to wear, arid has made her choice from models seen at the openings. The elegant woman is choosing her frocks from three angles —the spring coats, her own person, and the places that frocks must go j:o. She is picking simple little dresses to wear all day, dresses that are beautiful in colour and material, and that have a bit of softness where it is most needed,

that is, around the neck. There are many -ways of making the top of a spring dress highly complimentary— bibs, jabots, bows, drapery, fichus, collars, and ruffles are all attractive. Sleeves, also, are calculated' to act in the same way. Short sleeves are in high style on spring frocks. They bring in long gloves, and sometimes lace mits to bridge the gap of the bare forearms. The new big bishop sleeves,-.gathered at the armhole and wrist, are enhancing numbers in the sleeve styles of Paris. There are lots of long-fitted sleeves, too, where necklines aro befrilled. There are those wing-backed leg-o'-mutton sleeves, there are ■ short split sleeves, and long' sleeves that are open at the top. And there are others that hang .from the charming dropped shoulder-yoke, which is a big feature of the season's Dress- fashions. A PARTIAL ECLIPSE. A partial. disappearance of the legs has been accepted all along the line, and

even daytime parties witness dresser that come well down to, and below the ankle. Early 1934 glamour is served in: such things as handkerchief linen and lace blouses' with velvet or satin skirts, the big sleeves we have just spoken about, flanking fitted buttonPdup bodices, on top of long skirts; dresses of satin or stiff silk, pcplums, waistcoats, modest necklines, softened waistlines—and graceful, untortured skirts. The new frocks go in for being younger than anything we have ever seen before. Frocks for women today must look slim, and slim they are in the spring styles. The use of elastic fabrics is in high favour in Paris among the dressmakers, but it does -demand the right lines underneath, and women that have them not wear less leechlike materials. BLACK AND WHITE FAVOURED. Black and white—separately, together, and as a medium of carrying out printed patterns—is sponsored by Paris tor the coming spring and summer. There is a smaller proportion of blue in different shades, some of which are really lovely—and a vivid shade of red, almost orange in tone. These are the principal mediums used to interpret numerous charming ideas for afternoon and sports ensembles. For evening, black," pale pink, and white are used. Only a small place is given to any other medium. Green makes an occasional appearance, but it is at no time very noticeable. PARIS INSISTS ON NUDE STOCKINGS. Paris, smart Paris, insists upon another season of nude stockings, and it will remain the fashion to have face, hands, and ankles all the same shade. The term "nude" may be construed with surprising latitude. It may represent anything from a delicate poach tone, to a wood tan. One woman's "nude" may be. an almost perfect beige, another's may be just cafe-au-lait, while yet another is a true champagne. In fact, for evening wear this season "nude" has even been stretched so far as to include a pinkish-mauve shade of stocking which could not possibly simulate the facial hue of anyone by daylight, but exactly matches "some complexions.in the evening. It is probable that since Paris includes creambrown in its range of nude shades; and shows, in addition, so much of hose dyed to match certain of the smart darker browns, women here will feel correct in adopting for hose any shade of brown that appears in the costume itself, thus emphasising the ensemble effect. _ The fate of greys lingers beyond the immediate future, facing always the serious accusation that, however smart grey may become, it will be slow of acceptance, for the grey shades are not generally becoming. COMME LA VIE EST DURE. Cruel Shoes.—How foolish are the women who have, uncomfortable shoes! I saw one trying on her specially-made shoes the other day, and she lamented to a callous bootmaker that her feet felt as if they were in a vice. "I'm afraid that my ankles will, swell, "she sighed. "Oh," said the bootmaker, "not at all; your shoes have nothing to do with your ankles!" And the poor woman had to acquiesce, whether she believed him or not! GOOD ADVICE. The milliners are just as bad. They are as heartless as they can be "catty" is the only word that expresses them. They insist upon your taking their most bizzarre "confections. "And they go on making these queer", bizarre hats until one is inclined to cry "my kingdom fora becoming hat!" A hint: To obtain a good hat, choose a very soft material in a colour that suits you, and insist upon it being cut to shape your head, and draped becomingly. You must sit in front of the glass until it is right,>&nd do not.let yourself be persuaded into accepting a hat that doesn't suit you, just because it tfis fashionable. :