FROCKS FOR THE AFTERNOON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 5

FROCKS FOR THE AFTERNOON

By ISOBEL FRANCIS Though sports suits are worn on j almost every occasion nowadays, J there are times when an afternoon frock which is more dressy, and yet not of the dance type, is desired. There seems surprisingly little originality, or variety, in such modes just now. Indeed, there are but few displays of afternoon frocks to be seen. The new woollen materials, however, which are marked with tiny checks, make smart tailored frocks. Less severe modes show the checked material used to form short godets in the skirt of a black cloth frock, and it is fashionable to have each godet outlined with red. Red on Black Red seems an especially popular colour for trimmings. On an attractive frock of fine, black-faced cloth, made by a West End house, there are hundreds of yards of red braid stitched tightly together to form deep scallops, with oval buttons In the centre of the stitching. These coloured scallops make the high Eton collar, which is finished with a floppy black silk bow; they appear at the hem of the frock, and the high cuffs are also worked with braid. Under this a few Inches of red georgette is gathered Into a straight black band, which fits the wrist. Balloon cuffs are, apparently, to be very popular, for all the sleeves on the new frocks are long, and great emphasis is put on wrist and forearm trimmings, which, in some instances, take eccentric form. Some wrists are buttoned. Long and narrow sleeves have flounces on the under arm. Artists’ Bows Floppy bows will be the most choice neck trimmings for the coming season’s afternoon frocks. On a new frock which is made of navy wool crepe de chine, there Is a collar edged with navy and white checked taffetas and the wide tie Is tipped with the checked silk. I saw a repp, frock in a smart dress shop the other morning, in an old “favourite” colour, pale brown, which was made on quite dainty lines, the bodice being tucked horizontally, about two Inches apart. This trimming gives a very neat appearance. Wing-pieces were attached to the shoulder seams and sleeves, and, at the waist, the belt of the material was fastened with an oval buckle of large pearls. When two colours appear on a beige ground this is still considered becoming, though the effect is by no means new. I noticed the other day a delightful scheme, when beige velom cloth was used, bound at the neck with an inch of navy, and an inch of cerise. The bindings continued down from the left side of the square neck, forming a large diamond on the bodice, and the pleated skirt was bound with these colours.