EXCITING HATS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1938, Page 4

EXCITING HATS

> LATEST PARIS CREATIONS. DEVASTATING COLOURS. Some of the most exciting hats on view just now in the Paris millinery establishments are those that, have been designed as the main interest of a costume —a costume invariably simple, a dress or gown devoid of any extra ruffle, flounce or other trimming, a mere sheath of material with which the hat, bag and matching gloves become the eye-catching detail.

Even superlatively sophisticated evening ensembles are achieved with such a Puritan plain gown, and a hat and gloves combined. And the same rather breath-taking effect has been accomplished with a coat as a basic foundation; for instance, an inky cloth coat lightened most alluringly with soft doeskin gloves of citron yellow, matched to a peaked hat of the same colour ... a blue cloth made in a flattering smoky-grey tone, and worn with Delft-blue gloves and matching blue felt hat. Flower trimmed hats are reaching new heights; if last year’s crop seemed high prepare for a shock, for the newest showings climb the stratosphere. Most of them, however, are made of supple material and can be squashed down into lower altitudes, into softer outlines to flatter your particular headline. Flowers as a summer accent to smart hats are now attached, applied or banded by experts, softly, smoothly, and with a total lack of unseemly bulk. These flower trimmed hats are especially becoming and easy to wear, whether they are dizzily high affairs, the beret type, or the smaller, more severe pillbox.

Designers, in a magnanimous mood this season, have lavishly supplied re-cord-breaking collections of flattering clothes for all the tow heads and blondes that decorate the world. They have brought forth smart new shades and chic hew dresses, suits, ensembles and creations for evening that will keep even dashing brunettes awake at night worrying about such deadly competition.

Dusty pastels, lovelier than ever, are abundantly plentiful in dashing tailored two-piece suits, in slijn day time and street dresses, in more elaborate ensembles, consisting of dress and intricately designed coats. There’s a violet-blue shade that will make an ethereal angel out of every yellow head that appreciates its possibilities. There’s a soft grey-green that will be perfect for a blonde siren, with seagreen eyes. There’s a bonbon tint that is positively edible, and some sapphire and star-sapphire blues that are answers to fervent prayers for something different.

Everyone knows what sooty black does for honey blondes; wait till you see the warm new shades of beige and caramel that are being sponsored especially for smooth blonde complexions. This honey beige worn with apple green costume accessories will make the most unsusceptible male stutter and stammer when you march into view. Or the devastating results can be achieved with beige and dark blue costume experts.

Evening gowns for yellow loreleis that best contrast their golden glow are new concoctions in deep brunette, in aquamarine blue, and in seafoam green. All of them are of filmy, transparent net, chiffon and mousse-line-de-soie made in the most romantic manner with flounces, quantities of ruffles and trailing angle wing draperies and sashes of contrasting colour. The good old white combine of thin airy organdie with a wide soft sash of baby blue chiffon will be really startling when worn by La Jeune Blonde.

The colour scheme of a wedding is one of the many problems over which the bride must exercise her wits. The question of what colour material and what style of dress, doubtless will be discussed by the bride, her family, and her attendants, and it is earnestly suggested that she be tolerant of the wishes of her bridesmaids, particularly if she knows' that the problem of money is an important one with them. The ultimate decision is that of the bride, but the responsibility of paying for the dresses is that of each individual bridesmaid.

Following are a few possibilitiee in interesting colour combinations. The trend seems to be towards uniformity in the colour scheme. For smartness’ sake, restrain any impulse for a .rainbow effect. To tie in with the current popularity for rose-beige, may we suggest a rose-beige wedding? The bride’s dress would be of cream, or eggshell satin, veil the same colour, the maid of honour in rose-beige, and the bridesmaids in a richer tone of

the same. Hats for the attendants might be natural straw or something of the same material as the frock. The same idea could be carried out in pink, the bride’s dress and veil a delicate shell-pink, with her attendants’ dresses a few shades darker.

Among the amusing novelties are to be found a necktie of printed silk representing an open book of French sentimental poems. Tinted leaves are used as belts and edge hemlines, floral wreaths edge boleros, raffia makes tailored revers. Chain embroidery trims coats and the fronts of dresses. Prints are striking. Chiffon in rainbow effects is exploited in various widths for draped halter necks and for billowy skirts. Coloured string fishnets make shorts for wear over wet swim suits, Harem draping appears on dress skirts, and harem trousers and overskirts in printed materials are being shown. Draped bodices are liked for afternoon, also contrasting sashes which become a feature of the evening models. Hand-painted effects, such as a Greek fresco on a classic draped gown for evening, or a floral tapestry motif on a white day crepe dress are startling novelties.