Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 95, 21 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

Latest London Fashions.

(From Ouß'London Correspondent.) Regent-street, March 3. Among the multiplicity of toques, berets (or, rather, improved Tarn 0' Shanters), and picture hats, one is sometimes apt to neglect the rather demurer bonnet, which, however, always remains a favourite with Royalty. Exceedinglyemartand 'good form' is the black capote eriven as the first sketch. Cut in points it is perfectly flab, the only ornamentation on the tightly.drawn velvet being the jeb trimming round the edge. Jet is lavishly sprinkled on the black 'Mercury' wings that) prevent the whole effect being flat. The strings, tied into the nattiest ot little sjde-bows, are composed of satin. As a rule we have a penchant for veils of a goesamer-like description, displaying tiny spots. Very soon, though, we shall perhaps be following in the footsteps of the Parisiennes, who have taken to thick viohttes embroidered with large flower patterns. The notion is excellent} for the days of fog and snow.

As a variation to jackets provided with the up-to-date ' trumpet' cape, some of the French costumiers are turning oub threequarter length coats, with the addition of a hood, the back of the garment being gathered at tho waist, while the front is ornamented either with email or large revers. A stylish frock is shown in the second sketch. The combination of materials is essentially picturesque, light brown aumzon

cloth forming the groundwork, on which aHtrachan and brown velvet are skilfully planned. On the cross-over bodice, puckered slightly at the back, and gathered in in now style in front, are new-fashioned rovers in iie.tr/ichan and velvet, that extended over the shoulder." to form a kind of pointed cape at the back. A email strap of velvet 1b introduced, with a large bronze button back and front on each tight-fitting cuff, the corsage being fastened by similar metal ornaments. In the jupe we find an idealised double arrangement, the underskirt being trimmed with a deep band of velvet. The upper portion opens on the lofb side, and is gathered a little to nearly as far as the hips. Prom this point it moulds the shape until developing into the fan-like pleats shown in

the back view. In t his ,it will be found thab the jupe is completed by bands of velvet starting from the waist, and secured bo the cloth by bronze buttons. Mademoiselle has crowned her coil by a round wide-brimmed bat in light brown felt. The crown is loosely covered with black velveb, and bows of the same darker material are mixed with scarlet crows' wings that introduce an appropriate note of glowing colour. The ornamental braces adopted by some of the beet-dressed Frenchwomen are very much to be admired. The other evening ab \ a supper party, Sarah Bernhardb wore a high necked bodice in mauve silk muslin, displaying the novelty in question. These bretelles, about three inches in width, were composed, as far as the bust and middle of the back, of guipure insertion laid on black velvet. Three horizontal rows of narrow jet trimming divided the bands of lace from the lower portion of the braces, which from this juncture were composed of three | narrow mauve pfttin ribbons, terminating I ju?t below the waist\ Half adozen pairs of I Uies-e brefellef-', fievised in different colours, 1 could be easily and inexpen-ively manu- ; factored at home, ond would do much j towards renovating an old black gown. 1 Roselle,