Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 149, 23 June 1894, Page 9

Latest London Fashions.

(From Our London*Corbespondekt.)

Regent-street, May 5. A dainty little toque is the subject of my millinary sketch this week. The crown is formed of folds of pale biscuib-coloured velvet placed in circle form one within bhe other ; the brim is covered with sable, and a sabld tale is fastened by a jet Btar, with a bunch of dark violets on either side. There is a wonderful rage for vioTets this year > one would think they were quite a novelty instead of the stock revival of spring after spring, though they have not been used with such fervour for many springs as this preaont one.

- Fantastic is the only word that can be applied to a great many of the latest designs in millinery, especially in bonnets, though hats and toques are nob far behind. Till recently such fantastic, and be ib admitted frequently oxbremety becoming headgear, has been monopolised by the stage. A short time back such would have been condemned as theatrical and bad style, now 'smartness' is the desideratum, and as ' sin art,' the stylo is adopted with en* bhusiasm.

My second sketch is a very stylish jacket composed of fawn-coloured clotb. The bodice to the waist, and undersleeves, are quite tight-fitting; shoulder capelettea and ekirb from waist being thickly ploated. The collar, fronts, waist (where skirt; is joined on) and cuffs aro all edged with fawn silk cording; shoulder knots, loops, tags, and fastens of the same completing JliThere are some lovely designs in tea gowns to be seen just now, a very handsome one forming my third illustration. Sotb black surah silk was the material, gathered into'a square-cut neck, which was bordered by a handsome black and green passementerie about two inches wide. The very full sleeves were of olive green brocaded velvet, gathered into a band of the poßsementerie a little below the elbow, and the neck and wrists were filled up by dainty white chiffon with ruffles. Square-cut necks are considered very modish again just now, and aro being much used for tea gowns, filled in with lace or muslin, as'in example jusb given, or nob, according to occasion, and for evening blouses. A v novelty in materials is reported as approaching made from wood fibre, which in the-first flush does nob sound very promising for the purpose, bub which is really far more likely than would be supposed.

The newest veilings are Bold in double widths if desired—a boon tor those who wear large hats. The patterns have never been more becoming. The spots are thick and firm, thrown on a light ground of crossing lines and other devices, and most of them have most pretty borders. We are to wear borders, but of a new style. The newest Parisian veilings will hardly wear out). The strong and well-made patterns consist of threads forming a lattice work, with a spot at each intersection. Tbe silk Shetlahds are delightfully warm, though as transparent as the rest, and to be had in two patterns. The samples from the French capital are of the round form, with borders, the ground much firmer than of y Ore — a characteristic of the veils of the immediate future. Largo white spots on a black ground will never be common, or even general, but they have a certain style all their own. The German Empress generally orders her dresses through one of the ladies of the Court, who selects an assortment of materials, from which the Empress makes

the final selection without the tradesman in question being present. Nor does the making of a dress bring the personnel of the tradesman in contact with the Empress, aa the dresses generally are sewn after a cut pattern. The Empress has had made a wooden model after her own figure, and on this the dresses are tried. Any necessary alterations, are made at the Castle by one of the maids. ROSELLE.