Fashion Hints for Islands Women
pp. 59-60 · Read in the full issue
By Therese
there is no prevailing silhouette, the modern woman may go clad as she will —Edwardian, sixteenth century, or ultra-modern, she haply may follow her own choice thus unfolding a tale of individuality and chic.
Evening gowns exude charm from every fold. The pleated gown of gold satin, its low cut bodice tapering to almost nothing at the shoulders, swathes itself with lame belt and is breathless with glamour from the top of its shoulder to the tip of its lovely hem.
A siren in silver, slim, svelte, and sophisticated, envelops her beauty in a wrap of startling loveliness evolved from lame taffeta —a dreamlike material, with a softly crumpled tinfoil air, but which, alas, is most unsuited for tropic climes.
Following the body’s every lovely line is the violet crepe gown, flaring into sudden fulness at the knees. Exquisite water lilies trail from the low cut corsage to the waist. A cape, slim fitting of shoulder, follows the same sudden flar ing lines as the gown.
A prelude to pleasure is the gown of black crepe, splashed with enormous exotic flowers. Further allure is added by the black net cape which floats floor wards, its hem appliqued with the same vivid blooms that adorn the frock.
The sun tan top of an evening frock, held aloft by a sequin collar, clusters flowers at the throat in a most delightful fashion. Very youthful is the check gown of taffeta, swathed at hip line with draperies falling into the swirling fulness of the back of the skirt. A frock of pastel taffeta, with quilted flare from the knee, is charm personified with its quilted puritan collar in startling contrast to its boldly flaunted nothingness at the back.
Grey for both day and evening is fashion’s decree, and nothing could look cooler for tropical wear. Contrasting wraps and sashes give it added charm.
Turquoise acts on it like magic. Leaf green adds a further note of coolness. A red and green peppermint striped sash of taffeta falling in folds to the floor lends it an undreamed air of sophistication; and always silver shoes play a fitting accompaniment.
Delightful is the little shirt waist frock for informal evenings. Fastened with diamantine buttons, it may be worn high to the throat, or open necked. The full wrist length sleeve and softly falling skirt supply the feminine touch.
“Dinner at Eight” announces the chic dinner suit with pencil slim black skirt, and white backless top, covered by a loose sleeve bolero jacket of black, over which extend the wide revers of the bodice. A chartreuse sash swathes the waist and reaches to the floor.
For cocktail hours comes the heavy
white coat of linen, short and tailored, with wide trousers and a man’s shirt. If a touch of colour is needed, then a vivid blouse will do the trick.
The new materials make glad our hearts —chiffons, gossamer light; glazed printed linens: pastel tinted lawns; Shantungs fantastically figured and flow ered; voiles; artificial silks; and dull crepes. They all have marvellous wash ing propensities.
Blue is well to the fore in day time colour schemes. A glazed linen, blue flower sprinkled on stone ground is charming in a two-piece. The collarless bodice has crisp fan pleating at neck, which is repeated in the basque. (How fortunate we are that such a slimming mode has been revived.) Full three quarter sleeves are gripped in below the elbow, and the square yoked jacket cape, waist length, has an upstanding pleated collar and cape sleeves.
Young and provocative is the spotted
frock of blue, with collar and waist swathing of pique, tied kitten-ear fashion.
Its skirt is full and short, and a blue up turned sailor hat dips a greeting with ribbons of blue and white.
All purpose ensembles are well to the fore with figured jumper tops, loose swing jackets, and skirts of plain materials.
White with colour still persists—the perfect antidote to heat. A cornflower blue linen, slim and straight, wears a short white linen coat jaunty and fresh, complete with Peter Pan collar. A red scarf peeps from above the collar and the same brilliant touch of colour is re peated in the bag. Red and white ribbons dangle pertly from the brim of the blue hat, and blue shoes complete an ensemble of undeniable attraction.
Over a white frock goes a coat of
gaily printed linen in red and white. With it the new square toed shoes in white canvas march boldly to success.
White top coats over dark or printed dresses are in universal favour. They are enormously smart in linen or piques. A simple sleeveless frock, backless too if one cares, becomes formal wear when topped by one of these gallant garments.
A string linen dress, slim and smartly cut, has a square neck-line and shoulder strap top. Over the bareness of its suntan back pops a sailor collar of brown or rus t—both equally attractive contrasts.
Detachable leather buttons trim its bodice.
A grey linen frock dons a patent leather belt, and with it go attractive sandals.
A lemon linen with brief gored skirt trims itself with enormous white buttons,
and pique belt, bag, and hat are the matching accessories. Practical, since it can be laundered over and over again, is the spotted blouse of voile, so youthful with its high neck. Little pleatings ou.line lts f ™nt P anel and short sleeves, Over a dark dress goes a spotted hip length coat with matching cravat. Navy is the frock and mushroom pink the colour contrast, Boleros have staged a come-back, worn over very slim, cleverly pleated skirts. A formal afternoon frock, almost Chinese in its straight simplicity, adds fine pleating to the sleeves and down the bodice, and tucks a white flower at its neck, Plaid or flowered tunics are delightful formal wear, worn over pencil slim skirts. They have a dignity all their own.
M,orning frocks are all cut with a rather longer waist line and full flared skirt, which is quite short. The V neck and crossover bodice find great favour in the tropics—the donning and doffing of this type of frock causing the minimum amount of trouble, particularly when it opens to the hem.
Gayer and brighter is the new note in accessories. Crimson, yellow, cornflower blue and terra-cotta are all marvellous against dark backgrounds. Knitted cot ton gloves are made with scarves to match in these brilliant colours, and stockings too, for the heroic among us.
Sports jewellery comes in coloured leather, studded with nail heads. Metal belts with matching bracelets are charm ing for evenings. Velvet belts and taffeta sashes offer wide scope for colour con trast and white pique belts and collars add zest to daytime frocks.