File:Ruth Reeves - A Collection of Original Dress Designs.jpg

English: A Collection of Original Dress Designs, designed and drawn by Ruth Reeves.

On the top at the left, a toreador's cape gave the designers this inspiration for a motor wrap, to be worked out in tan suede and trimmed with a henna-red woolenbraid. The epaulets lie flat and are decoratively fringed with the suede. A great sealskin collar allows poetic license in the wearing of a large Goya hat, topped with iridescent cock's feathers.

On the top in the center, a cloth of silver bodice and skirt, with jet and black chenille rosettes on black tulle — this gown should be called "Clair de Lune." A wrap and head dress of black Spanish lace, black gloves and a silver fan flashing tiny jet beads are her only protection. Seville or New York — she would lend romance and beauty equally well in either city. And why not wear silver-colored stockings and silver cloth ballet slippers?

At the bottom on the left, the little striped woolen vest of navy blue homespun makes it possible to wear this bolero suit into the late autumn — without the sash as a trotteur and with the navy blue Georgette sash to the Claremont for tea. The blouse could be of Georgette, too, and the smart little chin-fitting tie carries on the "Spanish Directoire" idea in the coat collar and lapels. And in the last analysis, if there were no other Spanish earmarks, the adaptation from the wide sombrero, of gray felt and gray knotted grosgrain ribbon, would be convincing enough.

At the bottom in the center, a black velvet tunic, laced over the shoulders — for no reason at all except that Spanish shepherds lace their sleeves to their coats with hardy thongs, and because it's a charming idea and reminds one of a novel by Ibaiiez. Underneath the tunic, which, by the way, is cut at the waist line and falls in panels, is worn a white crepe de Chine straight line dress, embroidered in black chenille.

At the bottom on the right, this needs no explanation. It is a Spanish shawl of many colors which is more useful in next fall's wardrobe than is apparent in the illustration, because it can be folded up compactly in one's week-end bag and used for almost everything, from an effectively draped tea-gown to a negligee. That's why they're really not expensive!