IN FASHION’S REALM.

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 60

IN FASHION’S REALM.

UP-TO-DATE DRESS NOTES.

By

MARGUERITE.

Hats still show very strongly the influence of the beret, though the halo or tiara hat rivals the draped models among smart women. I saw that a black felt hat rounded to the - head had a tiara band of white fur. while braided suede made a similar finish to another model. All the dressy hats with few exceptions grip the forehead with a straight, sloping. or “V’’-shaped lino slanting towards one side, and have more or less width in folds at one or both sides fixed by a fancy pin, clip, or flat bow. On a few of these small models are to be seen an aigrette with drooping effect or a feather mount in some vivid colour, but the jewelled clip or pin will continue to be the favourite type of trimming, many really lovely imitations of precious stones "being available for the purpose. The French felt be-et and the small snugfitting felt hat in off-thc-face silhouette are the most useful as well as the most favoured for general wear, and suit almost every face, especially when worn with a topcoat that shows a luxurious fur collar.

Some of. the fancy leathers arc very fascinating. Some models have a lizardskin effect, and tweed patterns are very much “in the picture.’’ also with bright reds, blues, and greens preferred to the more sombre brown shades. Several of these have fur collars ami show the fulllength slide fastening at front. The leather motor coats in both hip and threequarter lengths are plain and fur trimmed, and arc usually lined with natural cashmere material, very soft and warm. The collar may be trimmed with ringtail opossum or American opossum, shading from beige to deep brown. These coats also show bright colourings with much black and a few brown. Some of the latest leather models have narrow pipings of a contrasting colour—navy on sealing-wax red or jade green on black. Brighter cars explain why the new motoring coats are such very gay affairs, for a eoat to match her car or a car to match her coat is essential for the woman motorist who wants to be counted up-to-date. I like also the short hip-length coats of leather or suede, which are a very smart complement to a sports outfit. worn with a matching colour flannel skirt or a heavy tweed skirt and cloth beret. A bright scarf lends a note of contrast.

This illustrates a charming daytime coat of deep blue satin face cloth trimmed with blue fox dyed squirrel. Note the cascade of fur at the side and

bordering the gauntlet cuff. This coat may.also be copied in black velvet and adorned with white fox fur. It is a distinctive afternoon wrap.

Swagger raincoats are shown in all "ay colours. Waterproof leatherette coats’in bright blue, wine red, and dark green are favourites Black leatherette coats have white collars and pocket facings. Metal slide closings and double-breasted button styles with a belt all round are the most favoured, and the collar is arranged to stand up at the back. Jersey cloth, either in tones of beige or blue is the choice of many girls. Several coats of this fabric show solid colour leather-

ette belts, collars, and pockets. Transparent rubberised silk coats will bo favoured by many older women. A very smart novelty rubberised silk coat I saw was in two-tone red check. The coat buttoned snugly up the’ front to a small turnover collar lined with plain red silk. Woollen frocks carry out the ensemble idea and harmonise in colour with the raincoat. And women complete the ensemble with the beret of the raincoat fabric or of flannel in the same shade.

Coats continue to form a very interesting fashion note, as they invariably do at this season. Amongst the latest models are some in coloured face' cloth with inset bands of the reverse side trimming the back of the coat, wine, grape purple, dark brown, light beige, and a rich dark shade of green being most favoured. These are combined most effectively with black caracul, Astrakhan, and blue fox fur. The coats are slightly fitted. The line is simple, with or without belts at the natural waistline. A very wide shawl-shaped collar fastens with the fronts well over to the side. This and cuffs nearly to the elbow complete an effective coat. Black Astrakhan is very smart on the wine shades and the dark green cloth coats. A black patent leather belt usually fastens the coat and matches a cap of Astrakhan or black felt.

I his illustrates the favoured coat for outdoor sports spectator wear —a swagger coat of jeopard lavishly trimmed with brown beayer. The coat is cut on simnle lilies, and is of three-quarter length. The tailored frock will be hunter’s green wool

crepe with the skirt pleated in sections from a fitted hip yoke and an easy-fitting bodice. buttoning down the front to a normal and belted waistline, with a clever touch of brown galvak at the neckline.

, hour-piece costumes of skirt, blouse, short jacket, and three-quarter-length coat are popular. The coat and skirt may be of tweed, the blouse satin or wool crepe, and the jacket jersey or kasha lined to match the blouse; and to be the latest note in fashion these four-pieces will be made of plaid or checks and some plain material in warm colours. A scarf repeats the plaid colour note. A flannel suit, black, brown, or dark grey, with a high-necked white blouse, is for travelling. The skirts of these outfits reach well below the knees and are full from just above them. The jacket may be belted with wide revers or have a long, narrow roll collar. A long flannel topcoat has large patch pockets, a belt, and a collar to stand up at the back. A travelling coat of soft, warm striped tweed has Raglan.shoulders, wide sleeves pulled into deep fur cuffs, a deep shawl collar of fur, a belt round the waist, and patch pockets at the hips. This sort of coat is worn over a wool jersey tw.o-picce or a tweed frock.

This illustrates a smart tunic. Tunics are definitely in favour for afternoon wear and informal evening parties. It is of copper lame with a smudged flower design in brown and gold colouring and buttons and buckle of blue enamel. The skirt and scarf are of midnight blue satin. The bodice of the tunic is cut on semi-fitted lines and pouches a little

above the narrow folded belt. The straight basque is cut with inset pleats that are stitched down to the hips and allowed to flare at the lower edge. The scarf is prettily arranged to fall in a jabot one side. The skirt is slim fittin" to above the knees, inverted pleats at the sides giving the fashionable fullness at the hemline. * ¥ ¥

Tunics and blouses are decorative but cut on simple lines. The lame tunic is seen at many smart functions A tomato red satin tunic with a flaring hemline bordered with black fur looks tre-

mendously smart worn over a black satin face cloth skirt. A long tunic of dotted crepe de chine on a deep wine background should have the hem of the skirt in wine-shaded cloth with the tunic belted to match. A tuck-in blouse of white satin fastened down the side front with a little scalloped edging, which also trims the rolled-back cuffs, should be made collarless and have the neckline banded with a strip of the satin finely ribbed. With brown cloth tweed or jersey it is the fashion to wear pink—a tucked silk crepe blouse ip a pretty shade of pink with a brown cloth coat and skirt. A tunic for evening wear may be of rose pink georgette with a swirling hemline.

This illustrates a delightful outfit for the wee maid—a coat and beret of white coney. The coat is cut on straight lines, with slight fullness at the hemline, and

is fastened close to the Jieclj with a narrow stand-up collar. The coat may also be copied in flannel. I suggest rose beige. The result is a becoming and cosy little coat for your - small daughter.

How comfortable the little people can be dressed in the fine woollens now available for coats, suits, and frocks. The small boy may have his shirt or blouse made of fine flannel in various colours to match his tweed or serge knickers, while his overcoat will be double-breasted like dad’s. A little girl’s coat is more fanciful in cut. Some velour coats are finished with a cape at the back, but the design fastening close to the neck is a general favourite.