Frills, Fads and Foibles

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 691, 17 June 1929, Page 5

Frills, Fads and Foibles

Vogues and Vagaries

By

MADAME JEANNE YARREZ

Coatfrocks are among the most interesting of the current dress exhibits, typifying, as they do, the new line and the pretty effectiveness of lingerie trimmings. Silk-serge, or silken gabardine, is a delightful fabric for the materialisation of these attractive models. One charming example was carried out in navy blue, with a bow-neck and bow-sleeve finish to remind us that bows are a craze of the day. Braid—three rows of it—arranged slantw-ays in wavy lines, trimmed the scalloped hem and reappeared well down on the hips to give a tunic effect. The slant-away style makes wonderfully for slenderai i tinged slantways in wavy lines epitomises the tailoring art. In this navy model, beige crepe lined the bows, and was reintroduced into the band of bakou straw across the front of an accompanying hat in draped navy petersham, with a large bow at the side.

Lingerie touches were introduced on some very appealing coatfrocks destined for the races. Dainty little chemisette fronts, frills, and blouses —all those details that make for freshness and that can be quickly changed. Country-life women will love the new rough tweeds in pale shades. One pink tweed fleeke.d with beige had a short pleated skirt, the pleats being stitched as far as the knees in the new way. Pink shantung materialised a blouse en suite, fastening up the front with beige silk buttons, and finished with plain white lawn embroidered collar and cuffs, caught with beige silken links. A three-quarter length coat contributed its chic to the ensemble. It was lined with pink and had a beige woven silken border inside. The coat-collar was part of the scarf in the fabric, once again with the beige-silk weave introduced; while a pink felt hat was laced with the same. Brown and beige shoes and stockings completed the theme, with pink-topped socklets over the silk hose. Similar suits are seen with short-length coats replacing the longer one.

Resuscitations continue apace, and another new-old idea—delightful on the young and slim —is the “pouched” corsage or blouse that is worn into the waist under the skirt, and eased slightly over it. This style is seen in many displays. Usually the blouselike corsage is finished with a jabot or a bib, while the skirt of round shape has the fulness arranged from a yoke, or is set in gathers, below the waistband or sash

Interest is provided by any number of scarf draperies and collars. The hood-like collar is generally draped on the slant, and forms a light and attractive back-drapery. Then there are the cavalier collars that are so striking in muslins. They are heavily embroidered, as are the accompanying cuffs, though lightness remains a typical note among the best modes. Panels, floats, and scarves all help to give “movement” and grace, e nd to add becomingness to a scanty deeolletage.

Long skirts are being worn by all smart women in the evening. Many have them short in the front, but swaying with impressive grace at the sides, and dipping low at the back.

There is still a considerable show of small sports hats, but the brim Is in ever-growing favour, and there now seems little doubt that later on quite large hats will be general.

“Stunt” gloves are seen, but not on the hands of the true “elegante”, who is rigidly conservative in such matters as accessories, and to whom freak fashions make no appeal. As a matter of interest, however, it may be mentioned that the “stunts” include laced-up wrists and pinked-out coloured embroidery. The glove manufacturers are still making heroic efforts to re-introduce e ening gloves, and have been rewarded with a certain measure of success. Long suede gloves, most beautifully cut and in palest biscuit, cream, or grey, are now accepted wear for the regardless-of-cost-and-ultra-exclustve follower of the mode, even for less formal occasions.