The FASHION REVIEW

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 308, 3 October 1929, Page 2

The FASHION REVIEW

B

SUZETTE

Something drastic has happened. What looked young last year looks old this season, all because longer, fuller skirts and higher waist lines have been used so perfectly, so subtly that they look smart, right and becoming. Everywhere there has been so much ingenuity that dresses are going to be difficult to copy. Never has there been so much cut. Every type of dress is more intricate than it seems, or just as intricate as it looks. Line and pattern of fabric are used for all they are worth. That is why there is a feeling of mosaic or marquetry about many dresses. Then again they all emphasise the body either by outlining the high curve of the hips, by moulding the lower hips or by silhouetting the lower thighs. A very 'few dresses have a full skirt falling frorjia high waist line. Thirdly, they all have low skirt interest—the low flares cut circularly or with godets, circular flounces or gathers. A few dresses have a high-necked quality through scarves that are worn about the neck over a straightacross high decolletage.

Ruffles and flounces are used everywhere for both plain and printed dresses. Sometimes they are flat and like the usual tiered skirt or flaring like the pine cone silhouette. Frequently the flounces of printed dresses have plain borders or have a band of the finest pleating round the edge. Edges are very insistent this year.

Irregular hemlines for dresses and coats are definitely best for late afternoon, and, whejiV in crepe, are very rightly in black. Lace and chiffon in colour are another matter because of their transparency, but black is still the best colour for an opaque irregular hemline. Black is the smart woman’s colour and it is still the smart dress colour. Beige and beige-and-brown mixtures are now definitely classics, while red is out to prove that it is a very good hot weather colour.

Lingerie touches in summer frocks are everywhere ; if anything they are apt to be overdone. What with scallops, bindings, pipings, facings, fancy pleatings, hemstitching —.made of linen, organdie, pique, silk, ottoman, real lace—they are far from simple.

Sleeves have a mind of their own this year. They have evidently said “ You are going to miss us if we go.” There are many day dresses that will certainly face . the sun without them. They seem to say “We are going to get attention if we stay.” Well, they have it.

So much to say, and so little said, but space forbids one to say more. Next week, however, a word or two about coats and suits.