The Washington times., 1935-10-19
NOW
Paris Fashions
BreGthLeSS
PRICES HIGH
By HELEN ESSARY

BY HELEN ESSARY
Practically everything at the
Paris fashion shows took my
breath. But I've a little strength
left to talk Importantly about
"what the great houses are
showing"
For instance, the Importance
Of suits or ensembles.
Suits with long coats have
skirts hugging the figure. The
skirts are very short. The
coats are widely flared, falling
several inches above the hem
Of the skirt.
Some suits have very short
coats, reaching only an inch or
two below the waist. Clinging
to the figure. Elaborate with
fur.
Suit materials are dark,
mostly black, with a touch Of
brown. All lightened with the
gayeSt, most vivid blouSes and
scarfS. Often, when the coat OF
an ensemble is removed, the cos
tune underneath is revealed as
Q complete dress.
Sometimes there is an extra
bolero jacket of fur, very, very
good fur. (No imitation fur this
year. The Arctic must have
been cleared of fur-bearing ami
mails, or else the fur-bearing
animal farms are working over
time. There couldn't be enough
fur from average sources to sup
ply the Paris dresSmakerSO
There are pockets of fur, and
capes lined with fur.
Fur coats, of course. Little
fur hats. And flaring tails Of
fur worn high on helmet hats.
This style inspired by Mussolini
waving the plume of a Roman
conqueror.
In size the hats at Schiapa-
relli's were somewhat" between a
postage stamp and a fifty-cent
piece. AS the 50-cent piece
looks in the States. Not in Paris.
Frequently a feather of some
sort, a quill, or double sweep
ing Paradise plumes gave a very
small chapeau height.
Always the hats were auda-
eiouS. Always worn definitely
tilted. Somewhat in the manner
Of the little monkey who used
to climb on the organ grinders
leash into your window for a
penny.
Of the evening gowns, the
Grecian and Italian types,
draped on classic lines, were
the most graceful and practical
OF the collection. Becoming to
any figure.
Some daring evening dresses
we're slit to the knees. Others
had pantaloons of bright
purple and green showing half
the leg.
The evening wraps were
gorgeous. Their fluted bon.
nets tied under the chin. On
full dramatic cloaks we're
Indian hoods or saris to pull
over the hair. Other wraps
were quantity Victorian and
ruffled.
While the manikins were
showing the clothes, stepping
in and about with sprightly
disdain. an English girl sat in
the millinery salon and dis
consolately tried on all the
wicked little hats as soon as
they had been shown. Her
wire-haired terrier peeked out
from under a sofa and blinked.
was thrilled With the spec
tacle of elegance, vivacity and
showmanship, but not sunk
with envy nor fired with extrav-
agance. Naturally. I should
like, many pretty things from
the showing. Right back home
in Washington I know can
get copies of the models at a
tenth of their Paris price.
I'd like a chignon or two, I
must admit. My back hair be-
haves pretty badly sometimes.
And I'd like a new pocketbook.
Downstairs on the way out.
I asked Sonia the price of a
black bag. A plain leather bag
to take downtown or anywhere.
"Six hundred francs,
Madame"
"Six hundred francs-Iet me
See-that's fOrty-twO dollars!
Thank you, Sonia and Good
bye"