“SMART FOR SPRING”

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 3

“SMART FOR SPRING”

In spite of, or perhaps because of, the grim situations in Europe, Paris has chosen the feminine mood for her spring frocking. Every model I have seen lately has expressed a delightful defiance. No single garment has been even vaguely influenced by the “military,” as has been the case in all previous times of crisis.

• We are not to be efficient, but merely elegant and charming—which is a great relief to most of us. There is always the woman who is at her best in the straight lines, the squared shoulders, the flat front, and the rigid little upstanding collar. Fankly, this spring, I do not know where she is to come in. Curves and Wasp-Waists On the other hand, the woman who rejoices in curves, in staccato sleeves, in broken shoulder lines, and in wasplike waists will find the season’s fashions made for her. Skirts will flair or gather from fitted bodices and fitted hips. Both for day and for evening gowning, the mode of the fltted-close but waistless bodice cut low over the hips to a deep central point prevails. Into this is gathered folds of skirt—lavish for evening, not quite so generous for day. In most cases it is even all round. In some a great deal more fullness marks the front, and is drawn towards the centre. The evening bodice occasionally has its bodice point at the back, with sash or flower accent set low.

Modest Day Frocks It is to -be a season for modest and charming little day frocks. With these we may apparently experiment, and with some imagination. Originality of line is all that is wanted for chio. Tiny round yokes are used with panel extensions that descend to waist and are marked by minute bows or by close-set buttons. Bows are set regularly but sparsely. Buttons are set in ones or threes. Sometimes these figure-flattering panels narrow to waist and widen out again, even slightly, below. This stresses the waspwaist dimension. Again, centre panels curve out to full shoulder width, forming the narrowest of yokes into which breast fullness is shirred or gathered. Shirring is used centrally also, with fullness brought down to the ’tween-breast-and-waist area. Zip fronts assist this mode, and even, perhaps, suggested it. They are frequently used invisibly, and camouflaged at the final fastening with bow or tassel. —M. MANET.