The Slenderness of 1880

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 18

The Slenderness of 1880

Some Lovely Evening Frocks

The charm of 1880 fashions, adapted, of . course, to modern conceptions of the becoming, was seen in several of the lovely evening frocks shown re.cently at, a French display. Fitted bodices, fitted closely to the. waist line at the hack as well as in front, give a slenderness which even in our days of straight lines has not been surpassed. Bustle draperies emphasise the slimness of the waist.

One ISBO frock was of turquoise blue faille; it had a cross-over bodice at the back, bustle drapery, a long skirt cut plainly in the front; there was a turquoise buckle as a finishing touch. The mannequin who wore this dress carried a salmon pink ostrich feather fan.

Green, gold and pink patterned taffeta, the pattern very suggestive of an opeu plaid, was used for another very delightful bustle frock. Yellow, green and orange-red petals and leaves printed on black taffeta, and looking as if they had fallen there, had much to do with the success of another slim-walsted frock with a wide, flowing skirt held out by a black

petticoat stiffened with horsehair. Round the waist of this distinctive frock there was a shaped piece of the material resembling the calyx of a flower. Powder-blue lace fashioned an evening frock with panniers of the lace, which were held out with horsehair. A frock of blue silk lace had coat-like drapery at the back of' transparent blue silk georgette. A charming little frock cut on what is known as “the” line of this season, slender bodice and flared skirt, was of egg-blue moire; the full, fluted skirt was stiffened by cords run through tucks at the hem; a bow with long ends fell from the right shoulder at the back. This frock, worn by a very young mannequin, had a quite short skirt; the same line is, of course, often seen with longer skirts. A caramel and gold tissue moire coat, trimmed with brown fur, accompanied a frock of caramel net, which was finished with silver buckles set with topaz. Caramel wool lace was used for a dinner gown, which was bound with matching crepe.