While The Kettle Boils

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 72, 8 November 1940, Page 36

While The Kettle Boils

Dear Friends, I must confess to one advantage. When I have a grouch, I can "tell the world." This particular grouch, I know, will find many firm supporters on my side. They have the same grouch-so let’s get it off our chests. Why do frock shops and department stores cater almost exclusively for the SW and SSW type of figure? We admit a frock shows to much better advantage on a slim woman, but there are thousands of women whose measures run to W, WX, OS and EOS, and they are wretchedly neglected. I’m a W myself, and like countless other women I’ve had the experience of searching through racks of frocks trying to find-like the needle in the haystack-my size of frock. Arms grow weary, eyes ache, but all we get for our pains are a succession of SW and SSW’s. America has the right idea. They realise to-day that the larger woman can look as smart as her slimmer sister, and all their mannequin parades feature their type and size of frock. On this subject, I would like to add a little word to the elderly women. This is your day. Don’t let a few white hairs scare you into tucking yourself away in the background. There are no really old people to-day. Life moves so swiftly, and living is so keen, that the term "old age" has lost its sterner meaning. There are rules, however. You’ve got to play your part, keeping your mind alert and your personal appearance up to the mark. That is important. The old fallacy that elderly women should dress exclusively in black and brown has been exploded long ago. Just

try coming out in blue or grey-and see how flattering these colours can be to your white hair. An attractive combination for you is navy blue with old gold -dusty rose, and rich wine colours. They will not only make you look younger,. but feel young. When your frock is being made, ask your dressmaker to raise the waistline and flare your skirt ten inches below the waist. See that the armholes are made loosely. Tightness anywhere should be avoided-also materials that are too tweedy, too shiny, or too clinging. Belts of two-tone that cut the figure should be avoided. Choose instead a belt of the same material as your frock. Avoid the old-style wrap-round coat that gives such a heavy-droopy look to the figure. The swagger type or an edge-to-edge coat is both smart and suitable. Hats are most important. They can make or mar your entire appearance, Hats should be chosen to give height and an effect of slenderness. That is the saleswoman’s job-to suit you. Try wear, ing straight or upturned brims-any-thing but those droopy shapes that never succeed in looking smart, and lend years to your age. Finally, as a rejuvenator, try experi- menting with a new hair style. It’s a grand tonic. If you have worn it for years over your ears, sweep it upwards in the new style. It will reveal a pair of ears to you, and enable you to wear those attractive stud ear-rings. Or, if you have always worn your hair dressed on top of your head, try a smooth swathe about your ears. Anything for change. Change is vital. It is new vision, It is life. Don’t betray yourself by say-ing-"I’m getting too old to bother!" There are no old people to-day-you are just dropping out of the race. Yours cordially,

Cynthia