PAGEANT OF FASHION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1940, Page 4

PAGEANT OF FASHION

NEXT MONDAY’S CENTENNIAL ATTRACTION. DISPLAY IN OPERA HOUSE. On Monday evening next at the Opera House there will be presented, in connection with Masterton’s Centennial effort, a pageant of fashion in all its varying forms. The display will begin with the crinolines of 1840 brought out with them by the great grandmothers of present-day New Zealanders. Then follows a bewildering succession of grandmothers and mothers’ most alluring creations. There will be seen draped skirts, skirts with large bustles, skirts with small, the hobble skirt, skirts with long sweeping trains, and skirts to the knees, all with their complement of mantles and muffs, and bonnets and hats of every shape and variety. In accordance with the dictates of fashion the feminine waistline may be seen, sometimes under the armpits, at others round the hips, but mostly in the place where nature intended it to be, often, however, so small that it has been difficult to find wearers slim enough. Contrasts will be presented—the old fashioned baby in its long robes and the Plunket variety: sports models old and new, the evolution of the hunting and riding kit, and. to complete the contrasts, the committee asks for the loan of a real old-time bathing suit complete with frills.

A display of a similar character, though on a smaller scale, was presented by Canterbury on Countrywomen’s Day at the Centennial Exhibition in January. On this occasion, although the show was staged three times on the one day, the capacity of the hall was taxed to the utmost, and. when seating and standing room were completely filled, the police had to be stationed at the entrance to keep back many others seeking to gain admission.

To allow the public every opportunity of attending, the parade is being given in the Opera House, and the charge is only a nominal one of Is (no half-price). The proceeds are in aid of the Patriotic Funds. It will be the regret of a lifetime to any who fail to attend.

All wearers of frocks are asked to be present without fail tonight at the Opera House at 7 o'clock for the final rehearsal.