THE FASHION WORLD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1939, Page 8

THE FASHION WORLD

THE NEED FOR THE PRACTICAL. Mannequins wil shortly glide round West End fashion salons in longsleeved woollen evening frocks and full-skirted "practical” cycling skirts

(says a recent writer in the "Daily Mail.") A woman recently drove up to a Mayfair fashion house in a chauffeured seven-seater saloon car to buy a five-guinea hat telephoned the same firm later to inquire about a "skirt suitable for cycling in London.” As a result of this woman’s inquiry the firm is arranging to include in its

coming autumn collection pleated and flared cycling skirts of heavy material, guaranteed not to rise up the wearer’s legs as she cycles along Park Lane and Piccadilly. Dress designers are preparing to prove that woollen dinner and dance frocks can be becoming.

WOOLLEN DANCE FROCKS. Victor Stiebel. who reopened his workrooms and salons in preparation for his coming show, was busy sketching high-necked, tight-skirted dinner frocks. "You will be surprised how attractive woollen dinner frocks can

look," he said. "Of course, the introduction of wool for evening wear means the death of crinolines and decollets. Woollen frocks have to be well-tailored and sober if they arc to look smart.” Stiebel, in common with most West End designers, is keeping as far away as possible from war-influenced fashions. Designs will be serviceable, skirts short (about three inches below the knee), and colours bright and cheerful.

Only Norman Hartnell, dressmaker to the Queen, admitted that the war spirit has invaded his workrooms. He has postponed his show for another week in order to add more day dresses of sober Air Force blue, and more warm woollen frocks for the chilly evenings when coal must be used with discretion. “I believe women will want to wear sober styles and colours this winter,” he said. “To cheer them up I am introducing braid trimmings and broderie anglais on velvet.” EVENINGS AT HOME.

There will be a vogue, dressmakers believe, for the dinner gown, as a result of the return of the evening at home. Smart cocktail party and bridge party clothes will also be wanted. War-time colours, navy, black, dull greys, browns, mauves and purples, relieved by embroidery, have been substituted in every collection for the gay colours shown a few weeks ago in Paris, reds, bright blues and bright pinks. British materials will be a feature of the displays. Town suits made of

Scottish checked tweeds will be shown. There will, however, be some gowns of French silks, as firms over here have still got stocks. Many of the West End stores are likely to substitute special displays in the windows and departments for their usual fashion displays. Decisions have not yet been made, but the question of bringing together large numbers of women for these shows has to be considered. The shops are already beginning to feature the now models.