Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 108, 7 May 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

Latest London Fashions.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

London, February 29. As my first sketch this week let me intro. duce a pretty and cosy capote, for a little maiden of from seven to ten or eleven years> or so long as tho hair is worn loose and falling round face and neck, as tho shape would not fit so symmetrically on hair dressed up high. The shape is composed of a nob crown and wire brim, fitting closely to the head. This 13 covered either by material corresponding with the costume ib is worn with, or of velvet.

A roll of fur comes round the brim, ending in front by a little fur head, and tho other end being formed into a bail broughb also round bo the front. These heads are mosb frequently marie, tho real animals' heads stutfed moaning a very expensive affair; und for children such furs are chosen as opossum, moufllon, racoon, etc. On the subject of furs, bhe French sable, which years ago was de. riyu&ur and paid large sums for, and has of late been completely shelved and oub of date, has this winter been again received into favour ; so those possessing good fur of the kind will now have opportunities of using whab inexorable fashion has compelled to lie useless, a prey bo pepper, camphor, and various obher moth antidotes for so long. Unfortunately for the economically moved, there will bo no 'doing up' of lasb winter's jackets this yearwith various artful alterations, fresh "trimmings, otc., endeavouring to beguile one's self and the public into tho belief ib is quite a new investment. Tiio extreme difference in the length the}" were worn last year, and this, would prevent our most confiding friend falling a victim to such innocent deception, and now the longer ones are aboub, tho old short ones do look so dreadfully cropped. I fear some extra extravagance will have to bo allowed for this winter in this respect. Fawn coloured cloth is the material composing tho stylish littlo coat illustrated in tho second design. It is mado quite tight fitting, and, of course, a good longth from the waist; the under or principal sleeve to bhe wrist is quite close also, over which are three ' bell ' sleeves (which are being much used now) each shorter than tho first, which comes to tho elbow.

Tho whole of the jacket is brimmed with fawn braid, and with it is worn a natty little capote and mull of fawn-coloured velvet, satin ribbon, and pheasant wings. Pretty little cloaks aresbill worn, and are too useful—being so easily slipped on and off—to be very'rapidly'discarded. Besides, they will ' go on ' over any dress ; a tightfibbing jacket requires a tiyhb underbodice. Wo cannot forego all our evenings' entertainments because of the gloom at Court, and 'sounds of revelry by night' are beginning to cast their shadows (if sounds can be said to possess such) before ; already we are hearing pleasurable murmurs of dances, privato theatricals, and ' kicks up ' generally, and we shall soon be plunged into serious consultations as to party frocks and the many etceteras appertaining thereto. I hear rumours of many Cinderella dances being organised by the light fantastic ilk, and can bub hope they may become more and more fashionable, as one ot the most sensible and rational institutions of bhe presenb day, eiving young people tho chance of thoroughly enjoying themselves for tho evening, with the after result of being all the better for it the next day, instead of being in a total state of collapse and exhaustion after the excitement and exertion in heated rooms from ten o'clock,

till five and six in the morning, when they ought to be in bed and sound asleep.

Apropos of dancing and soirees, I give as the third illustration a very pretty evening toilet. This is composed of pale pink pongee silk as to skirt and Swiss belt, the bodice, hip flounce and that round bottom of skirt being of chiffon,the same tint honeycombed, and, as the sketch indicates, sprays of white Japanese chrysanthemums aro fastened at the left shoulder and belt, white gloves and marabout fan completing this youthful and delicate-looking dress. Two other evening gowns are worth describing. One is a gown of straw-coloured satin, over which is tightly drawn a fine white tulle, spotted with tiny amber beads. Round the edge of this net is a garland of violet orchids and maidenhair fern, while violeb orchids are dobted over the'front of the tablier, and bhe back is of net falling in full gathers from waist to hem. The bodice of yellow satin is draped with the net, while the sleeves are transparently formed of it, and on the right shoulder is a garland ot orchids and maidenhair. The other is a dress of pale blue brocaded silk, panolled in the skirt over a pebbicoab of white satin, which is draped with dainty lace, and edged with a deep flounce, headed with a double ruche. The bodice is corselet-shaped, made of the brocade, over a chemisette of the white lace, and is tied top and bottom with blue ribbon terminating in bows in the front. Tho sleeves are full, made of the lace, and tied twice round the arm with blue ribbons. A very pretty opera wrap, worn by one of the society bello3, should be readily copied. It is a deep capo of light greeri cloth, gathered round the shoulders in a frill, lined with the palest pink quilced sabin, and having a high collar and edging down tho fronts of white Thibet. Fans are most lovely this season. Black lace fans are mounted over white gauze, and have tortoiso-shell sticks. Some of the new fine black passementeries thab are more like corded lace than passementerie aro employed in trimming children's dresses. It is a pity (says a fashion journal) that tight skirts are inconvenient for walking, otherwise they aro becoming, aa they outline tho figure to perfection. ROSELLE.