Show From FtourSsj How to Copy ike Frandhi DesMiiieirs "Pants are straight and wide easy for at-ho- me middle of the larger one (sketch 9) At Dior the belt becomes extra-wide- Genevieve Antoine-Darlau- k x seamstresses to copy Many are even mounted with eiasticized waistbands— and what’s simpler to make than that?" By Genevieve Antoine-Dariau- x Especially for Family Weekly couturiers are strange French Normally onewould that the expansion home-sewin- g activities would of such nightmares that give them they would return to more elaborate techniques as a matter of against the self-protecti- on needle-and-threa- d But no I have found all over Paris in the most expensive houses charming and simple designs that even a “debutante” in sewing can cope with easily SUITS Jackets are mostly modeled after the cardigan style many of them don't close in front They either hang loose straight from the neck without any buttons or are fastened only with a belt bathrobe style When the jackets are classic they are short some even look waist-lengt- h like the fitted spencer style Battle jackets are still in fashion (some designers have tried to make them longer than the waist but that’s a hideous line) DRESSES Dresses are straight buttoned sheaths or pleated shirts their collars tied in a soft bow (see sketches 1 and 2) Both are much easier to make than a real shirt neck Of course there is a much bigger variety in evening dresses Many are pleated or fluid and some are transparent (Modest girls have found a way to cope with transparent tops they simply wear beaded bras) PANTS Pants are straight and wide easy for seamstresses to copy Many are even mounted with eiasticized waistbands— and what’s simpler to make than that? at-ho- BLOUSES Blouses are bloused and they too are eiasticized at the waist Some of them cover the hips (sketch 3) and some stop one or two inches from the waist like a bolero (sketch 4) COATS Coats are made in reversible cardigan style Some are large with wide lapels and others are straight collarless and belted SLEEVES Most sleeves stop at the elbow But there is also a return to the sleeveless dress which is so easy to make One can see plenty of bouffant sleeves with flounces coming from the shoulder and the inside of the cuff (sketch 5) or from a loose bracelet (sketch 6) Some sleeves at Ungaro are raglans that start from a flat collar around the neck (sketch 7) or from a square peasant-styl- e neck (sketch 8) BELTS Most belts are very narrow Sometimes two belts narrow one in the are wom-t- he The numbers key these 17 sketches to the story Most these details are very easy for an amateur seamstress to duplicate 9 15 VT1 14 FAMILY WEEKLY June 24 1973 midriff-width-fasten- ed — at the side or the back by a zipper (sketch 10) And all over town one sees belts that are nothing more than a ribbon or a stiffened piece of material with two loops tied with a string (sketch 11) DECOLLETES Strapless is coming back (see sketches 12 13 14 15 and 16) and the halter neck is not as popular as in the last three seasons At Lanvin where the line is very supple the front of the blouse is gathered in a string that crosses in the back (sketch 17) COLORS White and beige are the most popular but as usual there’s a lot of navy and some very bright tones as well as some pastel shades Black is not very popular except on prints Those are mostly florals or geometric patterns in art-de- Hats are large and mannish devoid of trim And simple classic outfits have at least another year to live co style ACCESSORIES Hats are mannish felts or large simple straws devoid of any trimming Also short gloves are back on the streets CONCLUSION Fashion has been running so fast these last years that it is like a skier who takes a deep breath and looks at the scenery before plunging again down the slopes Haute couture might soon get tired of its present rest and classicism and go back to drapes and intricate cut But at least for this year you can be in style with just a little skill and some help from your nw Lalal sewing machine eiasticized at the waist—as are the pants: a cinch for the amateur seamstress |