FASHION FORECAST

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 3

FASHION FORECAST

Tiny hats of whimsical and fantastic shape tilt forward at delicious angles above the new spring dressings. They are made in straw ranging from the roughest weaves to fine Panama, and are trimmed with lengths of ribbons that fall well down between the shoulder-blades. The more sophisticated types are finished with lightly swathed veiling that bunches at the back and droops over the brim. Demure bonnets are scheduled to accompany the more advance-into-summer models, and are either brimlined or edged with minutely-pat-terned lace or pleatings. Tiny crowned, tiny brimmed, and made of stiffened muslin, lace, net, or embroidery, spring hats will offer a thousand variations to the woman with imagination. They are almost always of two tones or colours, one light, one heavy, and arc weighted by the addition of velvet or heavy ribbon banding. Fantasy Patternings These accessories are the proper accompaniment of the -new spring frockings and suitings, which this year are attractive both in line and design,' and feature patternings more than usually “ fly-away." * Minute yachts skim the surface (white on navy) of a model by Chanel, who uses shirring.a great deal both at squared necklines and at panelled waistlines. A frock with such a front panel giving its fullness to both bodice and skirt is belted in self material and pocketed with two squared patches set on either side below the waist. Another Chanel model presents ducks in long straight 'lines, running horizontally on the daintiest of spring frocks. Both, however, are accompanied by demurely cut-in-to-waist jackets that transform them into the dainty suits of the season. Flowers are

worn, sparsely shaken over fabrics, and unorthodox motifs like cherubs afloat or medieval harps are used Leafy patternings are also to be found, but on the whole, patternings are to be formal and quaint rather than merely pretty. Any sentiment is achieved merely by line. Dots everywhere are regular and irregular, big and small. Frocks and Sleeves Frocks with sleeves that arc accented are worn with boleros that have all the appearance of the straight jacket, except that they are simple, uncollared, and unrevered, sleeves being omitted. Braidings are an essential to this se.as/i's chic, but these are not easily come by. However, many materials are turned out with delightfully complex selvidge-borders that can be adapted lo produce the braid-edged effect. Designers appear to have bought up all the regular ones and made them their own, so that the mere imita-tively-clever woman is forced to bo even more ingenious and gain her effects in a different manner. Combining Lines Charming is a dainty model suit in the short sleeved vogue, the latter being cut to peak slightly at the shoulders but fitting well to the arms to within three inches of the elbows and finishing with a two-scollop cuff edge. Tiny palm trees lean sideways in the design and appear to go diagonally. The under-irocking is fitted close as to bodice, high to neck but split low in front. The skirt is cut with lour wide straight flares that narrow and fit the waist. The accompanying jacket is made with plain long sleeves,* and has the smallest upstanding collar edged with braid. Braid occurs also at both hemlines.