FASHIONS IN N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1932, Page 6

FASHIONS IN N.Z.

CHRISTCHURCH RANKS HIGH MEN FEEL FLATTERED CHRISTCHURCH, September 14. Fashion experts and tailors in Christchurch do not all agree with the comments made in Sydney by Lady Chaytor regarding fashions ?n the Dominion. Tailors and other men were naturally flattered by the statement that New Zealand men were better dressed than Australians, and tended to agree with-, her. -

The fashion experts were all of the opinion that Christchurch deserved the high praise levelled at its fashions by Lady Chaytor, and attributed the fact to climatic conditions.

“Owing to the colder weather, Christchurch women always look very smart, in the' street. They are forced to wear tailored costumes, which naturally have a much smarter line than the, lighter clothes worn in the northern centres. Besides bqing well cut, their clothes are made of good wearing material. There is nothing cheap or shoddy about the clothes worn in Christchurch.” This was the consideredopinion of the head 4, dressmaker of a large drapery establishfnent, who has had experience in both New Zealand and Australia. . . . . ..... ... .

Ano.tber dressmaker expressed the opinion, that, although Lady Chaytor liad said otherwise, New Zealand fashions were, inj advance of those in Australia. “Clothes here are more restrained in style and better cut,” she said, ~

That Lady Chaytor might have praised Christchurch women even more highly if she, had visited the city earlier, was the opinion put forward by another fashion expert. “She came here, at an awkward, time almost at the. end of the winter, when our. clothes were getting shabby.'’ “The New Zealander ; is : -,neater anc] smarter in his dress than the Australian,”, said a tailor with many years' experience in both countries, “I’m not saying anything against inni,. brtt the Australian is rather a slouelier, and that tends to make his clothes, lose their smartness. H.e. is one, of a more careless nature and tends to take just what is going m the c-’othi s line. The New Zealander, on the other hand, shows more originality in his cloth.es. He manages to combine comfort and smartness in his clothes to an astonishing degree. In fact it is quite remarkable the amount the average New Zealander knows about clothes.” :.

One had to - take int.o account the fact that in banka and offices, many Australians wore - flannel trousers and sports coats, said another tailor. New ZeManderSj -op the other' hanfr; were mpre particurar, for “ although they worked 5 in their suits they wanted them to be smart.

“I think Lady Chaytor ehose~a very had time to comment,”- said a head cutter. • “Australia has just had four years of depression, and that has had ar» effect on clothes. Besides, the duties on English cloth are high.”

Another cutter said that there was no question about New Zealanders being better dressed. In the first place they were wearing better cloth. It was quite well known that Dominion cloth was better than Australian. “I think Lady Chaytor should confine herself to women’s fashions,” said a tailor, when asked to comment upon the accusation that Australians did not know how to e their ti A;