PRACTICAL ASPECT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 75, 19 November 1931, Page 7

PRACTICAL ASPECT

MISS LEROY DESCRIBES DUAL ASPECT OF FROCKS. PARIS. I hear that Rotorua is once again enjoying lier usual sunny weather. Knowing' your beautiful days and the thousand summer activities that open so early in your town, I venture to suggest that, as usual, clothes suitable for all occasions are your chief topics of discussion and speculation. For all their seeming fragility and dainty femininity,. there is a practical aspeet about everything we wear nowadays which has an undeniable appeal. It seems that we have eeased playing with clothes and have taken to using them in their right sense — as a means of expressing our individuality .rather than as a means of spending money. There is a general tendency nowadays to plan one's wardrobe more judiciously and to weign carefully the usefulness and suitability of every garment before buying. The biggest problem of the woman who has to live up to a position on a small income is to have sufficient clothing to be suitably clad for all occasions. This is not so difficult if care in selection is taken, so that every dress can be made to serve a dual purpose. Particularly in the summer season is is possible to have one's dresses made on lines which suggested afternoon freshness or evening frailty. I should suggestjf a black dress of broderie anglaise, witL tiny puff sleeves and a black velvet girdle finished with flat silver buckles. It is suitable for the afternoon at home or abroad, and the evening dinner or bridge. With a wide shady hat and a Iight wrap it is quite suitable for street wear. For Warm Weather. The same may be said of a charming little floral ninon. Its double-grill-ed hemline and tiny shoulder sleeves are equally dainty for the hot summer afternoon or the warm summer evening. For the business girl who plans to spend her evening in town — to dine out and do a theatre — a black flat crepe dress with its deep folded tissue of ivory georgette is charming. Perhaps the least suitable of them all, however, is a lovely gown of tucked grey net which froths about the feet, has a broad peplum to give it line, and ruffled chiffon at sleeves and neckline, and a bunch of flowers at the faist to give it colour. Essentially for the afternoon or evening reception, its only other purpose in life would be to surround its wearer with an aura of distinction at a garden party, if worn with a suitable hat. Colours. Beiges and greys are rivals for the supremacy of the day-time mode, while golden beiges, and light browns, are featured. A very pale lily-grey, and a medium false grey, are extensively shown. Both greys and beiges will often be combined with a vivid colour, such as bright red, salmon, terracotta, emerald, moss-green, or flag-blue. The bi-colour vogue is due to continue in popularity throughout the spring and summer. Dark shades are being relieved by pastel trimmings, and accessories in rose-coral sky-blue, or pale jade. Ivory jewellery is fashionable. Almost all shades of blue, navy, mid-night, and corbeau, suplplant black, for street wear. Pale beige or orchid-pink are appropriate accessory tones for these dark blues. Greens continue to enjoy a wide popularity. The lighter shades — leafgreen and pale moss — are good for sports. Vivid Irish and emerald are combined with white or neutral tones. And all shades of green appear in afternoon and evening dresses. Golden yellows will be used by everybody for summer costumes, thin frocks, and beach clothes. Pale pink, both in rose and salmon tints, will gain in popularity, and shell pink is featured. Orchid-pink is used alone, and is an accessory colour, ; with navy blue. Original Jackets. Jackets are being treated with much or'ginality this season. Nearly all those which descend to the hips, as well \as the three-quarter or fulllength coats, wrap-over with a diagonal movement. Even ■ the jackets which have a slightly fluted basque, are given this line in front. Little capes occasionally appear on the coats, and are often made in one with the sleeve of the yolce at the back, and sometimes crossing over in front, and have ends which tuck into a leather belt. The square "sailor-collar" effect across the back of a frock is stressed, narrow frills of lace fill it in on one dress seen, with a square yoke in front, treated in the same manner, while frills eneircle the arm from the wrist to elbow. The suits in silk and woollen materials are attracting a good deal of attention. Skirts for morning and informal wear are almost invariably given a straight line with a gentle flare. Pleats are not often used, but where they do appear, their fullness is only apparent near the hem. For afternoon, tunics are sometimes used, and sleeves are of all lengths. The draped neck is favourite, and fine pintucks are often employed to introduce interest on a skirt. This concludes my letter for this 1 week. Next Thursday I hope to be . able to give you further details of . Paris fashions as well as some suggestions about summer menus.