VOIR COUTURE

ROMANCE IS BACK!

You know it is true when even New Woman magazine has a feature article on "potpourri in your home"! There are lace pillows and lace and ribbon potpourri to hang in the dining and living rooms--not just in bedrooms and closets. Also shown are scented candle centerpieces.

For winter into spring and the future, colors are soft--not necessarily pastel, just not garishly bright. Prom style dresses are back, Picture again the clothing styles of Princess Grace and Audrey Hepburn, the 50's look of Jackie Kennedy.

This is exciting for the woman who likes to have her own style.

The shape of the feminine woman is "in" again. Push-up bras are coming back. No longer are we to be fitted into the mold of masculine lines. The fit of garments is more important than ever. Many cannot use the man's suit and cut it down for women. Women's suits need more parts -- we have more curves.

Fabrics are soft, draping and touchable. Lace is shown for evening. There are ruffles, but in moderation. Absent from the fashion scene are plaids.

Watch for the spring fashions shown by Chanel, LaCroix, Lagerfeld. Skirts are below the knee -- some even midcalf. The headlines -- "Paris: Intelligent Clothes. Short, long or in between -- and pants."

The reality is that women didn't flock to the stores to buy new wardrobes of short skirts, vinyl handbags, plaids, and jeweled suits. So pretty, flattering and feminine clothes can be seen again. Comfort? Yes. No garish designer attempts were pictured.

Anything feminine goes!