American clothes have for years been admiringly described as casual, wearable, versatile. They were, however, hardly ever described as elegant, a word generally reserved for french styles. But this fall (1950 - my annotation) american clothes have taken on a quality of unmistakable elegance, which is also unmistakably american.
Like most american clothes, they are ready-made, simply cut in easy-to-wear lines unembellished by elaborate drapery and detail. Sometimes their distinctive character lies in the use of fine fabrics and furs for casual clothes tailored like sportswear. Some inexpensive dresses take on richness when worn with a mink fur piece and rhinestone pin. In other costumes formally cut country tweed goes with black fox, gold lame with a black jersey. The final touch is supplied by ready-made shoes in dress fabrics, which give custom-shod look to the most elegant of all american assets, a long, well-turned leg.
Ermine collar, rhinestone buttons add formal note to tweed suit (Capri, $135). White plush hat (Sally Victor, $50) goes with street or theater suit.
Cloth pumps to match fall dress fabrics are gold lame (Anthony Mascioli, $35), bright red velvet (Evins, $30), oxford gray flannel (Andrew Geller, $19).
Taffeta and wool costume has dress in plaid to match coat (Herbert Sondheim, $235). Usually custom-made, evening ensembles like this are now made in all price ranges.
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