THE LATEST FASHIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1926, Page 18

THE LATEST FASHIONS

A LETTER FROM PARIS. (By Diana Dane.) If you were to wander quietly down one of the broad, white streets of Paris, where the great designers do congregate, you would notice that displays of dainty accessories have temporarily taken the place of the “creations” in the windaws.

For this is the time when the true Parisienue, awaiting the last word *n new season's modes, amuses herself by buying collar-and-euff sets, berthes, jabots, sequin and ribbon trimmings, flowers,’and the hundred and one dainty trifles which help to make her wardrobe the eminently satisfactory thing it is. ’ COATEES AND BOLEROS. There are also dainty transparent coatees and boleros to tempt the acquisitive temperament! Slipped over a last season’s frock of georgette, chiffon or crepe, a little bolero or coatee makes that same frock look like a perfectly up-to-date model just home from the saloon! Either sleeveless, or with long, rather loose sleeves, the bolero which reaches only to the normal waistline, is a real and very charming friend to the woman who .must make a frock last at least two seasons!

The longer coatees, reaching to the hips, are useful for evening wear, and will completely transform a dance frock that has seen 'better .days! Sparkling with sequin or bead embroideries; or made of three or four tiers of chiffon, each tier in a different shade of a colour, the coatees look quaint' and. appealing enough to please the most exigent. TWO'SHADE SCHEMES. The two-colour scheme is still popular —or perhaps one should call it the twoshade scheme.” For in all these alliances the one shade is chosen so carefully to harmonise with the other that the variation is in tone rather than in colour. The green that has something of gold in its make-rap is used with a bronze-gold that has more than a little of green in it; the misty blue with a suggestion of mauve is combined with a mauve that dimly hints at an underlying blue tone; while the rose and wine shades are hosts in themselves for creating delicate and delightful shade schemes. A SEQUIN SEASON. Sequins trim most of the nicest dance frocks. Sometimes they are worked in a suq-ray design all over the gown; sometimes they cascade down the front and back only, and look like giant cobwebs shimmering with dewdrops; or again,®they may be sewn closely together ’to form a deep ceinture round the hips, a conventional design in front of the skirt, and broad shoulder straps on the bodice. In whatever manner these

pretty trimmings are employed, they look alluring, elusive, ephemeral as a firefly on a summer bight I And ephemeral they are! For this reason, it is wise to avoid a sequin gown if you eannot afford more than one or two dance toilettes. Not only would you grow rather weary of the constant scintillation, but these dainty confections are built merely to satisfy a whim of the moment; not for hard wear! MODES FOR MATRONS: If the Debutante is receiving her meed of attention this year, so also is the Matron. At last designers are waking up to the fact that the older woman requires as many clothes as her daughter, and that she is equally eager to obtain the best in life no far as her wardrobe; is concerned. With the result that this Season some exquisite models have been designed to appeal exclusively to the Matron. She is not bidden to

wear black or grey or dark blue, and nothing but black or grey or dark blue! On the contrary, she looks charming in an old rose georgette frock sewn with beads and bugles, with a misty-mauvey-grey tulle : scarf wound round her shoulders, the scarf terminating eaeh end with a gigantic pink velvet rose. She looks well, too, in her frock of gold and rich blue metallic cloth, or in one of broche georgette, in which half a dozen wonderful shades are blended into a perfect poem of colour! But the black toilette is not overlooked—not by any means! For, young or old, the woman with a good skin, good eyes and beautiful hair, looks better •in black t’ un in anything else. And for the matron is a lovely gown of black satin oharmeuse, cut with a slim, rather short skirt and a slightly flared tunic. This tunic may be bordgred with closely sewn opalescent sequels forming a three inch hem; it may have a fur border if this appeals; -or it may be left quite plain, with a thick roll hem giving it just the firmness it needs. The sleeveless arms are discreetly and beautifully veiled by the deep pointed eape of fine black lace,' which falls to the hem of the skirt at the back.