Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 25 April 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

Latest London Fashions.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

London, March 5. Granted anything like a prepossessing appearance, girls have email excuse for nob looking attractive in the many charming hats that are now obtainable ; a little time back some of them might, perhaps, have been dubbed rather theatrical—but "theatrical" very often means highly picturesque and most becoming, for nowadays, when all the old time fcawdriness of the stage has been swept into the past, giving place to the most refined and elegant tastes in dress and all accessories, there need no longer bo anything derogatory in the term.

The millinery sketch this week is of one of the very pretty felt hats referred to a week or two back. They are all large in circumference, some having low crowns, and othe/s being crovvnless, like the straw ones described and sketched in one of the summer columns, being in fact like a tray or table mat in form. These (of which our sketch is an example) are nipped up in the centre, causing tho becoming curves and turns. Our model is a very soft shade of grey felt trimmed with velvet the same tint, and a grey bird ; sea-swallows being specially delicate and pretty for a grey hat or bonnet.

When a felb hat is bordered wibh narrow ostrich feather brimming, a pockeb muff of velvet is made in bhe same colours, with a bunch of small feather tips at one side. Cloth gowns, imported of course, have brilliant birds applied flab upon bhe surface, with wings outspread, as if flying. These are made up in toques with feather bands or rolls of velvet, and aigrettes of heron plumes. Feather toques are accompanied by collarettes which extend well down at the front and back, and are made of the same feathers as the bat.' Impeyan is the most t " AJ 4»anb for this purpoie.

A Dimple bub smarb-looking tailor-made design is sketched as my second illustration ; a useful and suitable one for ladies in the country, spending most of their time out of doors. 11l is of good woollen plaid material, in two dark shades of brown. The bodice is made habit fashion, with throat slightly open, showing linen shirt and white tie, finished by lappele. The whole of the gown is finished by rows of machine stitchings round the edges, nearly all tailor-made garments being so finished now, the plain skirts generally having also an outside pocket, and sometimes two —one on, or just below, either hip.

A very cliic costume is the one which I give for my third sketch. It is made of the new rough surfaced and striped tweed, the ground being: almost black in tone with a brighter reddish stripe. The broad band round the ekirb is of dark red velvet, and this also appears on the sleeves, ab the throat, and defining the pointed waist. The dress is one of the very stylish invisible fastening kind, the lining being securely hooked in front, of course well faced with the material, which ie folded over and retained in its place by ekilfully placed hooks under the arms. Ib is almost impossible to fasten this dress for oneeelf, and ib requires careful putting on. The hat is of black felt, with red wings and loops ot red ribbon velvet. A Parisian lady remarks in one of our fashion journals that the English put all the trimming on to the back of the hat or bonnet, whilst the French, with more regard to what ie becoming, allow a certain amount to appear in front. The hat in my sketch is therefore a true French production.

Velvet Princess gowns have no trimming, pave a double row of cord and buttons down the front, and to a depth of a quarter of a yard on the left side of the skirt; the sleeves are treated in the same way. Furs are worn as trimmings, necklets, short boas, and etolae. The stola of sable or Russian fox is considered very Grande Dame. The boa, however, has Still its faithful admirers and wearers, especially in skunk, cock's feathers, ostrich feathers, and fox. Black velvet, applied to millinery, in often now covered with beads of coral or turquoise, and this is used for the Egyptian style of bonnet. Astrakan is still much in favour on brims. The new jaguar fur promises to be a saocess. Ib is not nnlike plush, or even sealskin, and ie epotted here and there with yellow, brown, and rod, in irregular shapes and distances. RoSELtE.