Paris Designs Your Elegance — Anything New for the Coming Winter?

Madam,

The couturiers, those tactful diplomats, have made changes in your fashions for this winter — changes in everything: the colors — the lines — the shape.

The colors:

"Blue" floods over this winter's dresses as the waters of the tide flood over a sandy shore... So do not hesitate, choosing: "Blue does not suit me." Wait a moment, Madam — your blue exists: it may be the clear color of the sky, or the dark color of the sea on a stormy night.

And there is luminous red — so hurry and choose it. Thus has "Dior" created it for you, to rescue you from the predicament of picking out a blue.

The lines:

The line of the dress is straight. The waist rises a little, and the skirt grows shorter.

Yes, the skirt grows shorter. But by how much?

Stand before the mirror, lift the hem of the dress, and take your time as you protest: it is too short! "Too short" differs according to your height:

If your height is 175 cm, your dress must rise only 37 cm from the floor.

The shape:

Here is a dress: the back straight and taut. The front: a surprise! Loose, gathered in at the waist.

Here is a tailleur: the shoulders wide, the jacket long, straight — but no, there is a secret in it: two darts at the waist, or a belt set exactly at the hips. And the skirt: short, narrow — so naturally the legs become long. And you, Madam, appear taller, slimmer, and more graceful.

As for your shoe: its heel is lower than last year's, and its toe is either pointed or square.

Madam,

The wise woman is the thrifty woman. So do not knit your brow in sorrow as you pay the school fees. And the price of the books. And the household expenses. Sighing: how am I to be elegant, when I shall not be able to buy more than one dress for the year 1958?

Set your mind at rest.

"The Woman's Voice" has an idea to help you. An astonishing idea, which will cost you no more than a few liras:

Come. Open your wardrobe. You have your 1957 clothes: a coat, an evening dress, a skirt of broadcloth, and a "Francis" dress of velvet... We shall make of them splendid new dresses.

1 — Begin first by shortening all the dresses by 2 to 3 cm.

2 — The evening dress of velvet.

Since the fabric is in fashion, you will win it for the coming year if the neckline is "décolleté" and without sleeves. It needs only a "bib" of white satin to brighten it.

3 — A coat of "Scotch tweed."

It will dazzle every eye if you replace its buttons with glittering ones. And if you replace the collar and the cuffs of the sleeves with a fur-like fabric of long pile.

4 — An afternoon dress of silk.

It is décolleté. Its back is simple, with a pretty bow at the waist. So it observes the fashions of the new year. It lacks only a "necklace" in the form of two strands: one gilded and one strand white.

5 — A skirt of broadcloth.

It is gathered; hurry and pleat it. Then open it at the side. And gird your waist with a belt of shiny or matte leather.

And wear plenty of Oriental earrings, and bracelets, and necklaces... And smile, Madam, happy in your elegance and your economy.

And remember these phrases proper to the year 1958:

"Grace is clarity, and sweetness is the spur." And take care that your charm should lie in your mysterious dress