Service Section
pp. 72-73 · Read in the full issue
Around Sydney Shops
NEW LOOK. —The new look, insofar as it is manifesting itself in Sydney shops at the moment, is not likely to worry Islands women overmuch. It consists largely of corduroy velvet suits with full skirts all heavily pleated (many of them in a hot shade of scarlet); and fur-trim med top coats at astronomical prices.
Most of the new looks have, at any rate, remained in the shop windows. Firstly, because the cost is beyond the purse of anyone but the wife of a Cabinet Min ister or a Black Marketeer; and secondly, because most women are determined, during our period of Indian Summer, to
squeeze the last ounce of wear out of the old look. But skirts are coming down, inch by inch. The men make the biggest howl here. Women, generally, welcome the change from the American invasion days when tight, knee-length skirts made everyone look like the good-time babies from King’s Cross and Darlinghurst.
The “Cotton Frock Shops” which are integral parts of most of the large Syd ney stores, are the best bet for island women. Washing frocks which range in price from shillings to guineas may be purchased there throughout the Austra lian winter months.
SLIPPERS. —If you are the feminine type, velvet slippers of almost evening
shoe elegance are now available. With medium heels they are 30/3. The wedgie type may be had from 24/6. Slippers in silks or other materials and probably more suited to the tropics, are in shorter supply, although there is one establish ment which will make you a pair of satin wedgies in any colour you fancy for £2/2/-.
SANDALS.—End-of-season lines have been going cheaply, and occasionally are genuine bargains. (So also have swim suits and other sports clothes). Good plain and two-tone sandals suitable for the tropics are regularly available from 27 6 up. Of the dressier type of wedge shoe, De Liso Debs are still the most attractive, although the price has now gone up to 55/11 per pair. They are made in brown, black, white, navy, crocodile fmd two-toned. Some of the white models would be particularly suited to Islands wear. Although more ex pensive, they have the merit of making f he wearer look somewhat less club footed than do the usual run of this tvpe of shoe.
WEDDING PRESENT.—ShouId you be in need of a wedding present for a friend in Australia, you will be interested to know that a large amount of glass ware apparently escaped from Czecho slovakia before Stalin’s iron curtain came down on that country. Whether any more will be forthcoming remains to be seen. At present there is a good supply of it in Sydney shops. Long, twisted-stem wine glasses (they stand about six inches high) are 8 11 each with nKm stems and green bowls thev are 10/9. These are elegant enough to s r^ i any dinner table, and are about half the price of similar glasses in the so-called antique shops which have flour ished in Sydney since 1942.
Cocktail glasses, also from Czecho slovakia, hand painted with flowers, spots or rings, are 5/11 each.
FOR MEN. —It still takes from six to nine months to have a suit tailored in Australia, but it may be of help to know that there are several invisible-mending firms in Sydney who are now undertak ing repairs. Most of them have more work than they can cope with, but it is possible to get urgent repairs done within two or three weeks—from some of them Men’s clothing generally is still in short supply and expensive. Ties range in price from 4/6 to £5. They can be decorated with everything from signs of the Zodiac, and hula girls, to sun flow ers in yellow, puce and magenta or silver and gold thread. A decent, conservative tie can be purchased for 11/- or 12/-, but not for less. Men’s toilet goods are also expensive. Hair brushes—plain wood, like boot brushes—are 30 - each.
Triangular shape, with perspex backs, are £5/6/9 per pair. The bristles, we are told, are super.
FOR CHILDREN.—If you have the sort of children who like to be busy you should invest 10 - in an assortment of painting, cut-out, paste-up and drawing books which are fairly plentiful and comparatively cheap. Plastic scissors which cut paper, and nothing else, and cost ninepence, have also been available.
Children’s books of the imported variety can be fantastic prices, but there has never been a more attractive assortment.
Publishers are catering more for chil dren with inquiring minds, and letting themselves go with coloured illustrations.
Australian picture books (some very good) start off about 4/6 each —from there prices go up—and up.
SODA WATER—English sparklet bulbs can now be purchased for 8/- per dozen.
Sparklet soda-water bottles, however, are not available.
HOME DRESSMAKER. In spite of Paris, the unpadded, sloping shoulder line has found no favour. Good shoulder
pads are scarce, but one type manufac tured in Melbourne and called a “shoul der form’’ is occasionally available. They cost 5/11 per pair, but are a good invest
ment in that they can give a good line to even mediocre home sewing. They do not need to be covered and are made in white, black or neutral coloured silks.
If you have several washing frocks which need shoulder-pads, you should invest in the shoulder-pad bodice, made by the same firm. They are made in various sizes in white or black net, with the shoulder pads attached. They are wash able and cost 10/11.