. BRITISH FASHIONS FOR FRANCE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The invasion of France by the army of us who are drawn there by the cheapness of the franc (I myself know several English women leading quite a comfortable life on less than E2 a week) is having one odd consequence which will be of interest to those of your .women readers who remember the old days when French dressmakers were the tyrants of our British wardrobes.
France actually begins to eye British fashions with respect ! A movement which commenced with the victory of five o'clock tea (and fivoclocker is, to-day, sound French for our national custom) is now storming the ateliers of those who make hats and shoes and dresses. For, imagine an exile's joy upon finding Dame Fashion telling all French women who aspire to bon ton during the coming autumn that they must wear some combination or other of eight new British colours ; to wit, Cedarwood and Burnt Oak (they have adopted the English words), Veronese (a rich red), Vellum (a deep cream), Oriflamme (a full gold)," Nilesque (a new green), Amouretta (a new blue), and Pavlova (a new mauve).
Yet, after all, why should one be surprised ? The French- man who proudly confides in you that his womenfolk are the most chic in the world is the first to agree that the women of Great Britain are the most distinguies. Let those at home, remembering as much, refuse to allow the foreigner eves. again to control what they are to wear am, Sir, &c.,
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