THE FEMININE WORLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 5

THE FEMININE WORLD

GOSSIP ABOUT GOWNS Many women who patronise those fascinating little shops, where readymade clothes can be bought quite reasonably, are bewailing the fact that it is difficult to find therein the “fitted frocks” of plain and patterned taffeta which are so much in the mode just now. The reason for this is not far to seek . . . a "fitted frock” must actually be fitted in the making, otherwise the result is more likely to be a misfit. The dressmakers are quick to realise this, and, with the exception of a few model gowns, they do not offer these taffeta creations ready to wear, but prefer to make them to the measurements of individual clients. The dress with a quaint, fitting bodice, a normal waist, and a full skirt, is much to be recommended, however, provided a "little dressmaker” with ability and imagination is at hand to carry out her customer’s instructions.

Beware “bits and pieces”! The trend of fashion at the moment, apart from the fitted frocks, is towards drooping, uneven hem-lines, queerly shaped sleeves, and many more or less superfluous trimmings! Uneven hems are admirable, if cut by the expert: unusual sleeves are not unattractive, provided they fit in with the general scheme of the toilette; “trimmings” are frankly overdone in a great many cases, and are really better left alone unless devised by one of the worldfamous dress artists. In infinitely better taste are day-dresses of “sports” persuasion, afternoon toilettes with char-cut, graceful lines, and dance frocks with bouffant or petal skirts. Besides, they will not “date” like the more exotic: creations. Two charming colours—old rose and silver grey—are exploited by a certain famous French designer in a pretty dance model for the jeune fille. Old rose mousseline de soie is used for the simple bodice, which is swathed with a belt of self material at the normal waistline; from the waistline it continues in Vandyke points to the hips, where it joins the full “rosepetalled” skirt of silver-grey mousseline. From bust to base of throat the rose-coloured fabric is let transparent, giving the effect of an exceptionally dainty and becoming yoke. * * * Talking of yokes, a useful thing to know is that a yoke may be suggested on a simple morning frock in some neutral, tint by the simple means of stitching it in brightly coloured wools. From the back of the shoulder line to tile centre front of the frock, where they give the effect of a pointed yoke, are vertical rows of plain darn-stitch-ing carried out in any shade or combination of sades you please. The tuffs are similarly treated, and the hem is likewise turned up with wool stitching. Trousers, or “pantaloons,” are promised in the near future. A good many advance evening models are made *ith divided skirts of harem design, this, of course, being a revival of a fashion of some 15 years ago! Other designers;, working along the Victorian tines already much in evidence, are making frilly “pantaloons” to peep °ut beneath the hem of the full skirt! Those already launched are scarcely visible, but they show the a* La Mode may take, should the Victorian vogue prove popular.

The bolero is not seen quite so frequently just now. But it is often suggested by means of rows of braid, embroideries, headings, almost anykfi 8 can 1,6 worked on to the rodice to give the effect of the little short coatee of Spanish charm.