The secret of being well-dressed

No matter how much or how little money you have to spend, never buy any new clothes before going through your existing wardrobe to see whether you need them or not. But your wardrobe ought to contain certain essentials, and if it does not, you must plan your whole dress budget to include them.

Nearly every woman has to economize these days in order to include in her wardrobe at least some cheaper suits and dresses. When you buy your clothes, go in for simple, well-cut suits and dresses that will look "right" for almost any occasion. Concentrate on styles that are not expensive but elegant and remember that the keynote of all good dress-making is simplicity. Don't be led astray by frills, elaborations and passing crazes, unless you have an income suited to them.

A winter coat is a basic need and, although it may be an expensive item, it is not an extravagance, because it should be wearable for several seasons. Fashion in big coats rarely changes more than once in four or five years and even then you can safely lag behind, provided you choose a loose undatable style. Don't invest in a fur coat unless you can afford the best of its kind. Choose a cosy-looking big coat in any material that suits you — the hairy fabrics are the latest, but remember that you'll tire of them more easily than the smoother woollens.

A well-cut suit is another essential. If its lines are plain, it won't go out of fashion for several years, and it will continue to look good to the very end of its days. You can prolong its life by having an extra skirt to divide the wear and tear because jackets always outlast skirts.

An extra dress is a perennial "Must" with women. The short evening dress is a much better buy than the long one for nine out of ten women, and it can look quite as glamorous. The lines that don't date are the simple ones. Don't exaggerate in padding your shoulders.

With colour you can be as daring as you like nowadays; colour combinations are also very much in favour now, but remember that a blue-eyed blonde would look uninteresting in pale blue because her eyes will be lost in the expanse of blue of her dress. Yellow, cardinal red and even black or white would suit her best. Blue is best on a dark-haired girl — especially royal blue.

Gloves. Now that nylon is within reach of everyone it is best to wear nylon gloves as they can be easily washed. Remember that spotless gloves — especially white — look undeniably smarter than even the very best suede gloves if these have grown dusty and shiny at the fingertips.

Your hats, too, should be immaculate; better none at all than a shabby-looking one. Flowers and feathers make an enchanting frame tor a pretty face but only so long as they remain fresh. After that they have a messy appearance. When you set out to buy a new hat try, if possible, to wear the suit or dress that's intended to partner it. Don't be content with a close-up look of yourself — walk up and down in front of a full-length mirror so that you see yourself from every angle — as other people will see you. Look at the hat in relation to your figure and (most important of all) your hair.

Accessories. Chic is more often lost through shoes and handbag than anything else. With many women elegance seems to stop at the knees. Nothing looks more incongruous than the sight of worn shoes emerging from beneath a lovely dress. You may like comfort, but it's a pity to ally that beloved old pair of shoes of yours to your smartest suit. Unless you can afford a great many pairs of shoes, stick to the simple classical type that never goes out of fashion and is so flattering to most feet. Avoid the shoddy shoe that is bound to lose its form immediately. Always try to team up a coat, skirt or dress with a plain but not "dressy" shoe.

A bag is both important and character-revealing. The effect of a beautiful dress will be spoiled by the wrong bag and still worse by an untidy or bulging bag. Never stuff your bag to capacity. A good bag need not be very expensive, but it should be well-cut and not fussy. Avoid unnecessary buckles, bows and all sorts of fancy work. The plainer the cut of your bag, the longer it will take you to tire of it. If you are plump don't choose a round bag; it may be only a trick of the eye, but such a bag seems to add inches to your silhouette.

The final tip is that when you go to choose clothes — whether it is only a question of a new bag — go alone. If you take even your closest friend with you, you'll probably end by buying what she likes instead of what you like. And it is positively fatal to take two or three friends. By the time you've listened to their conflicting opinions, you'll have lost all confidence in your own judgement. And then when you get your purchase home, you will wonder what on earth made you decide on it!

If you need advice when you are buying clothes, rely on the saleswoman, who is an expert, and then choose whatever appeals to you. Remember that the clothes in which you feel happy are always the most successful clothes.

Remember that Enemy Number One both to chic and charm is untidiness. You can get away with a dress that is neither new nor expensive (if it is absolutely immaculate) but down-at-heel shoes, grubby-looking gloves, collar or cuffs, a creased skirt completely ruin the effect of a model dress no matter how expensive it may be.

 

 

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